Cornwall is dotted with many museums; you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the huge range of subjects available throughout. Here are just a few of the favourites.
Maritime Museum
Falmouth
www.nmmc.co.uk
Set
in an award winning building on the Falmouth harbour side, the National
Maritime Museum transports you into the world of small boats and
Cornish maritime history. It is much more than just a magnificent
wooden structure housing an amazing range of small sailing crafts and
other maritime objects.
You can climb to the top of the tower to see the breathtaking views across the harbour, docks and estuary. Up here you can find out about the historic buildings, local landmarks, coastal features and any special events and vessels in the harbour. Should you be afraid of heights you can experience life under the sea in the Tidal Zone. You can go underwater and look out into the harbour through two large windows. Take a really close look and you could capture a glimpse of a cormorant diving for a fish, crabs or shrimps, or maybe something entirely unpredictable! Here you can also learn more about the effects the sun and moon have on the changing of tides.
There’s plenty to see and do, with a wide range of events, activities,
workshops and exhibitions that run throughout the year. Suitable for
any day of the year, come rain or shine, since it’s all contained
inside.
Royal Cornwall Museum
River Street, Trurowww.royalcornwallmuseum.org.uk
Cornwall’s oldest and most prestigious museum, famed for its internationally important collections. See a myriad of minerals, view an unwrapped mummy, and discover Cornwall’s unique culture. Admire the collection of Newlyn School paintings in the Fine and Decorative Arts gallery.
The Museum holds collections of Cornish and European archaeology and
social history, as well as world cultures. The fine and decorative art
collections hold work by Cornish artists, designers and makers but
also contain significant works by nationally and internationally
important artists from other parts of the world. The geology and
environment of the South West of England are represented in the
geological and biological collections and are complemented by UK and
world material. The museum presents an exciting range of changing
exhibitions throughout the year together with an extensive educational
programme for all the family.
www.stingilulus.co.uk
Enjoy excellent coffee together with Pacific Rim cuisine at this unique cafe/bar/restaurant - absolutely exquisite, a must any time of the day.
Shipwreck and Heritage Centre
Charlestown, St Austell
www.shipwreckcharlestown.com
This Museum is located in the historic china clay building on the waterfront of the seaport, Charlestown. It is home to the largest private collect of shipwreck and historical artifacts of this type on public display in Europe. The collection has been brought together over the past 45 to 50 years, it forms the basis of one of the most unusual and interesting collections open to the public.