National Maritime Museum Cornwall

Opened in 2003, the family-friendly museum has become a leading tourist destination in Falmouth, attracting visitors with its interactive exhibits, special exhibitions, and beautiful location overlooking Discovery Quay.

What to see

Explore 15 galleries, over five floors. The huge Boat Hall displays a variety of sailing vessels. Overhead hangs the flotilla of small boats from The National Small Boat collection which includes an Inuit kayak and a Mirror dinghy. The Cornwall Galleries focus on industry, work and communications aspects of maritime heritage in the region.

Things to do

Visit the RNLI Rescue Zone with ride-on rescue vehicles and a dressing-up area. Have a model boat race in the Boat Pool. Look at the harbour from underwater in the Tidal Zone. Alternatively, kids can let their inner pirate loose in the nautically themed Skull Island Play Zone.

Stunning views

Climb to the top of the museum and discover views over the harbour, docks and estuary. Maps and telescopes help you distinguish local historic buildings, landmarks and coastal features.

Events and workshops

The museum hosts a program of special exhibitions, talks, lectures, and workshops. These events offer a chance to learn from experts, participate in discussions, and gain a deeper understanding of maritime topics.

Great resource for research

The museum also houses the Bartlett Maritime Research Centre and Library. With over 19,000 maritime reference books and free public access, it's a valuable resource for anyone wanting to learn more about the sea.