Discover Falmouth and its nautical heritage at the National Maritime Museum of Cornwall

Jennifer Champin Published on March 7, 2025

Located on Falmouth's Discovery Quay, the National Maritime Museum of Cornwall immerses visitors in nautical history and culture through its many thematic galleries. The modern building, constructed in 2002 on a site formerly occupied by boatbuilders' sheds, traces the evolution of navigation from the primitive raft to the latest contemporary innovations. Spread over 5 levels, its exhibition spaces highlight the influence of the sea on civilizations. The visit is rounded off by a breathtaking view of Falmouth Harbour, one of the deepest in the world. So, why not plan a trip to Cornwall very soon?

The museum's central spaces

• The boat hall: a suspended flotilla

The tour begins in the boat hall, a vast space featuring a collection of small boats. For thousands of years, mankind has been using natural resources to build craft adapted to its needs. Whether rudimentary rafts or more elaborate vessels, all were propelled by muscle power, wind or, later, engines. Modelled by those who designed and manoeuvred them, they fulfilled essential functions: work, fishing, rescue, ceremonies or transporting passengers and goods. Each boat you see above your head embodies a skill, a tradition and a way of life specific to its era and culture.

• The boat pool: simulations and races

Just beyond the hall, the boat pool is an interactive area where you can experiment with sailing on model boats. to take part in races, or simply to explore the dynamics of these small sailboats.

• The RNLI rescue zone, heroes of the sea

Another essential section is dedicated to the rescue operations of the RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution). Here, you can see the ride-on rescue vehicles used for emergency response on beaches and at sea. There's also a masquerade costume area if you'd like to slip into the world of the RNLI for a few minutes lifeguards. Finally, an information area dedicated to safety at sea provides essential advice for safe sailing.

Temporary and thematic exhibitions

Located in The Hold, the temporary exhibition space, the museum organizes exhibitions exploring various aspects of nautical history. These projects, carried out in collaboration with national and international museums, bring together rare objects and varied collections. From March 28 to January 2027, this large exhibition hall will be dedicated to the history of surfing, celebrating 100 years of waveriding in Cornwall and highlighting the impact of this practice on local and global culture. A program of conferences will bring together surfing experts, combining history, photography and environmental commitment:

• Thursday April 3, 7.30pm: lecture ''100 years of Waveriding in Cornwall'' by Dr Sam Bleakley, former professional surfer and European surfing champion.

• Thursday, April 24, 2025, 7:30pm: Lecture by Lucia Griggi, international surf photographer.

• Thursday, May 15, 2025, 7:30 pm: " skin

  The museum's permanent galleries

  At the heart of the museum, the Cornish Galleries offer total immersion in the region's nautical heritage. Over 3 floors, you can explore the historical and cultural links between the sea and the lives of Cornish people.

  • Cornish Quayside (first floor): this exhibition presents the life of Cornish fishermen through interactive objects and reconstructions of sail-making and sardine-pressing techniques.

  

  • Cornwall and the Sea (1st floor): here, the museum explores how the sea has shaped the region and its people, from shipbuilding to local maritime activities. Stories of sea rescues and living testimonies from Cornish fishermen form an integral part of this gallery.

  

  • The Falmouth Gallery (2nd floor): this section traces the history of Falmouth, the world's 3rd largest natural deepwater port, and its central role in maritime trade. Through interactive objects and stories, this gallery highlights the town's glorious nautical past, from the era of ocean liners to the modern exploits of famous navigators.

  

  Interactive and immersive zones

  • The tidal zone for exploring the estuary

  In the tidal zone, you can observe the effects of the tides on the local ecosystem. Through 2 large underwater windows, you can see the evolution of the port as the tides change, and observe marine fauna such as cormorants and other aquatic species up close.

  

  

  • Skull Island, for little explorers

  This fun area lets youngsters dress up as pirates and experience an adventure at sea through interactive games.

  

  • The belvedere: a panoramic view of Falmouth

  Located at the top of the museum, the belvedere offers a breathtaking view of the port, docks and estuary. Historic maps and telescopes reveal the maritime features of the area, including the village of Flushing, former home of liner captains, and the old customs wharves where contraband seized from ships was unloaded.

  

  

  The Maritime Research Centre and Bartlett Library

  The Bartlett Library provides free access to a rich collection of maritime books and documents, including reference works, periodicals and archives. These resources are designed to deepen understanding of Cornwall's nautical heritage, covering a wide range of subjects from boat building to their use around the world. Established in 1945, the collection has grown over the years to around 19,000 items. It is divided into several sections:

  • Maritime Reference: this section covers everything from supertankers to dinghies, with archives such as merchant navy lists (1850-1960), publications on shipping companies, fishing, maritime art, navigation and exploration.

  • Archives, periodicals, magazines and journals: a wide range of historical documents are kept in this section, including the Falmouth Harbour archives, which include minute books, dredging records and harbour masters' diaries from the 1870s to the 1970s. These archives are supplemented by specialized yachting magazines.

  • Archival documents: the center has a growing collection of original documents that complement the understanding of Falmouth's port activities and international trade. The library also holds the plans and archives of famous ship designers such as Alan Buchanan and Jack Holt.

  

  

  The boat-building workshop

  Every Wednesday, all year round, the museum offers the opportunity to discover its program of historic boat reconstructions in its shipbuilding workshop. You may have the opportunity to stop by the museum's boatbuilding workshop on Wednesdays to see the progress of the construction of the WWII Helford River spy boat, from initial lofting (the process of drawing a life-size boat before building it) to the actual construction.

  

  Allow at least 1h30 to 3h for your visit.