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Destination Cornwall - Uniquely Daily

 

Museums

North Cornwall

Falmouth, Helston and Areas

Cornish Riviera

S.E. Cornwall

Isles of Scilly

West Cornwall

Camborne, Redruth, St. Agnes & Areas

Truro


Royal Cornwall Museum

Minerals

Old Master Drawings

Newlyn School

Archaeology & Local History

The Courtney Library

Education Service

Facilities

Opening Hours

Location


The Royal Cornwall Museum

River Street, Truro.

Tel: 01872 272205

Website: www.royalcornwallmuseum.org.uk


The museum has a permanent display on the history of Cornwall from the Stone Age to the present day, as well as the natural history of Cornwall, a world famous collection of minerals, a pre-eminent collection of ceramics, and a changing display of temporary exhibitions, from photographs to textiles, Old Master drawings to natural history, many of which have free admission.


Minerals

An internationally important collection of over 10,000 specimens of outstanding quality and rarity. The most important part of the collection was formed by Phillip Rashleigh (1729-1811) of Menabilly, and is one of the few 18th century collections of minerals to remain largely intact.

Old Master Drawings

An outstanding collection of drawings from the Italian, French, Netherlandish and English schools. British artists include Hogarth, Gainsborough, Constable, Romney, Turner, Blake, Rosetti, Burne-Jones and Augustus John.

Newlyn School

A large collection of Newlyn Paintings and drawings by artists such as Stanhope Forbes, Lamorna Birch, Frank Bramley, Walter Langley and Harold Harvey.

Archaeology & Local History

The archaeological collection ranges from the Palaeolithic to the Post-Medieval period, with an important Bronze Age collection of metalwork, pottery, stone and flint tools. The history of Cornwall from medieval times to the present day is told through a selection of paintings, scientific instruments, leather, pottery, pewter, glass and silver linked to important people or events. We also have foreign collections of Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Chinese and Japanese material.

The Courtney Library

The oldest Cornish Historical Research Centre in Cornwall which currently holds approximately 30,000 printed volumes as well as manuscripts from the 12th century, including those by local antiquarians, Cornish books and periodicals, printed maps, engravings and pamphlets, 100 files of original local newspapers from 1798 onwards and approximately 2,000 books on fine art. A private library open to the public with advance notification.

Education Service

The museum runs a comprehensive Education Service for people of all ages. The core work of the service involves 16 curriculum-linked workshops on subjects such as fossils, ancient Egypt, Celts, Romans, Greeks, Victorians, and on themes such as Jugs & Mugs, and Giants. All these activities are based on the museum's permanent collections, and involve the handling of objects as well as taking part in art, drama, dancing, pottery and role play activities.

As well as running primary school workshops, the Education Service is committed to providing a service for all educational groups to promote life-long learning. Workshops for groups with special needs can be easily arranged.

Facilities

Shop

Cafe

Fully accessible to wheelchair users

Opening Hours:

Monday to Saturday - 10 am - 5.00 pm

Closed Sundays and Bank Holidays

Parking

There are a number of parking areas in Truro near the museum and there is 30 minute parking opposite the museum.

Location

Situated just off the city centre, 5 minutes walk from the railway station and 10 minutes walk from the main bus terminal.



North Cornwall

 


THE CASTLE HERITAGE CENTRE AND GALLERY

The Castle, Bude tel: 01288 357300

Recounting life in North Cornwall. The canal, yes we do have one, shipping and shipwrecks. The families that prospered and became famous in and around Bude, and lots more all expertly displayed in our Heritage Centre. The Exhibition Gallery has a full programme of art exhibitions throughout the year. Free entry to shop, exhibition gallery and restaurant. Heritage section charges, adult £3.50, concessions £3.00, children £2.50 and family ticket £10.00. Open daily except Christmas Day and New Years Day, Easter to 30th September 10.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. and October to Easter 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.



LAWRENCE HOUSE MUSEUM

9 Castle Street, Launceston Tel: 01566 773277

Housed in very fine Georgian House. Delve into local history from the bronze age to WW2, discover a display of feudal dues, a Victorian kitchen, agricultural exhibits and visit Victorian Garden. 1st April to Sept. 30 - 10.30 am to 4.30 pm. 1st Oct. to Mid Oct. - 10.30 am to 1.30 pm. Other times by arrangement. Admission free. Heritage. Exhib. Garden.Local history.



POTTER'S MUSEUM OF CURIOSITY

Jamaica Inn, Bolventor, Launceston Tel: 01566 86250

Curiosity.


TINTAGEL TOY MUSEUM

Tel: 01840 770354

Toys & models


WITCHCRAFT MUSEUM

The Harbour, Boscastle Tel: 01840 250111



CYCLE MUSEUM

Camelford Station, Camelford Tel: 01840 212811

From 1818 to present. 400+ cycles.



NORTH CORNWALL MUSEUM & GALLERY

The Clease, Camelford Tel: 01840 212954

This private-owned, Award winning museum shows all aspects of north Cornish life during the last two centuries, and has changing exhibitions of arts and crafts. 1st April - Sept. 30th - 10.00 am to 5.00 pm - Mon. to Fri.



ST. WINNOW BARTON FARM

Tel: 01208 873742

Farm machinery. Open Easter to October.


BODMIN TOWN MUSEUM

Mount Folly, Bodmin Tel: 01208 77067

History of town from the earliest times until the end of World War II. Easter - September: 10.30 am to 4.30 pm - Mon to Fri. Oct.: 11.00 am to 3.00 pm - Mon to Fri. Other times by appointment. Free admission. Exhib. Heritage. Open Easter to October.



DUKE OF CORNWALL LIGHT INFANTRY

Lostwithiel Road, Bodmin Tel: 01208 72810

The barracks of the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry are now the Regimental Museum, where the regiment's history is told through maps, uniforms, dioramas, paintings and one of the finest collections of small arms and machine guns. Heritage. Exhib. Military. All year. 10.30 am to 5.00 pm. Military exhibits.



JOHN BETJEMAN CENTRE

Southern Way, Wadebridge Tel: 01208 812392

Sited in the main building of the old railway station at Wadebridge there is a memorabilia room dedicated to Sir John Betjeman. On display are various personal effects, academic honours and furniture which belonged to Sir John. Families are welcome to visit. Coaches parties must make prior arrangements. Although we do not have a curator, it is possible to arrange for someone to give a short talk to student groups explaining Sir John's life as a poet and his association with North Cornwall. There are many of his books, videos, post cards and mementos on sale.


LOSTWITHIEL MUSEUM

16 Fore Street, Lostwithiel Tel: 01208 872513

Open Easter - September.


PADSTOW SHIPWRECK MUSEUM

The Institute, Market Place, Padstow Tel: 01841 532752 Website: www.padstowmuseum.co.uk


Truro, Camborne, Redruth & Areas


PERRANZABULOE FOLK MUSEUM

Ponsmere Road, Perranporth Tel: 01872 573321

Cornish kitchen. Photographs. Local history. Open Easter to October.


ROYAL CORNWALL MUSEUM

River Street, Truro Tel: 01872 72205 Email: enquiries@royalcornwallmuseum.org.uk Website: www.royalcornwallmuseum.org.uk

Local History. Archaeology. Minerals. Art.


ST. AGNES MUSEUM

Penwinnick Road, St. Agnes Tel: 01872 553228

Mining & seafaring. Displays & film.


CIDER MUSEUM

Callestock Cider Farm, Penhallow, Truro Tel: 01872 573356



GEEVOR TIN MINE

Pool, Redruth Tel: 01209 788662 Email: bookings@geevor.com Website: www.geevor.com



SUBMARINE TELEGRAPHY

Porthcurno, Telephone for opening time Tel: 01736 810966 Website: www.porthcurno.org.uk/visitus.html

Secret wartime communications centre. Open April to October (Friday).



CAMBORNE SCHOOL OF MINES

Tel: 01209 714866 Fax: 01209 716977

Mineral collection. Art gallery. Geology.



CAMBORNE MUSEUM

The Library, The Cross, Camborne




West Cornwall


CRYPT MUSEUM

24 Foundry Street, Hayle Tel: 01736 756666



LANDS END

Tel: 01736 871220

Maritime exhibitions. Audio-visual.



MARITIME MUSEUM

19 Chapel Street, Penzance Tel: 01736 68890

Artefacts recovered from sea. Open April to October.



MODEL RAILWAY MUSEUM

St. Ives Tel: 01736 794440

Open Easter - September


NATIONAL LIGHTHOUSE CENTRE

Penzance Tel: 01736 360077

Only Trinity House collection in Britain. Open Easter to October.



PENLEE HOUSE ART GALLERY & MUSEUM

Penlee Park, Penzance, Tel: 01736 63625



PENDEEN MINING MUSEUM

Pendeen, Penzance. Gift shop. History of mining in Pendeen


PILCHARD WORKS

Newlyn Tel: 01736 332112

Last trade pilchard press & museum. Open Easter to October.



ST. IVES MUSEUM

St. Ives Town Council, Wheal Dream, St. Ives Tel: 01736 796005

Local history. May-October.



BARBARA HEPWORTH MUSEUM

Barnoon Hill, St. Ives Tel: 01736 796226


CORNWALL GEOLOGICAL MUSEUM

ROYAL CORNWALL GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY

and

Cornwall Geological Museum

 

Visit the Royal Geological Society of Cornwall website.

 



WAYSIDE FOLK MUSEUM

Zennor, St. Ives Tel: 01736 796945

History of Zennor 3000 BC to '30's. Open April to October.


 



Falmouth, Helston and Area


National Maritime Museum Cornwall Discovery Quay, Falmouth TR11 3QY

If you're looking for guaranteed entertainment for everyone, come rain or shine, then National Maritime Museum Cornwall has it all. Experience the new Olympic exhibition called the 'Will to Win', designed in honour of the Athens 2004 games, featuring six Olympic boats, including three gold medal winners from the Sydney 2000 games. This new show is a brilliant celebration of our competitive spirit and is a real opportunity to learn of the heroes and heroines behind the impressive world of small boat racing.

With one of only three natural underwater viewing locations in the world, breathtaking views from the 29m tower, hands-on interactives, audio visual immersive experiences, talks, special exhibitions and the opportunity to get out onto the water and discover the marine life around our coastline, this new generation of Museum has everything for everyone.

The best way to get there? By boat. Use the Park & Float and sail to the Museum in a classic ferry - there is no better way to arrive than on water.

Open daily 10-5, 7 days a week. Closed Christmas & Boxing Day. T: 01326 313388 E: enquiries@nmmc.co.uk

Visit the National Maritime Museum website: www.nmmc.co.uk


FLAMBARDS

Helston Tel: 01326 573404

Maritime exhibitions. Open April to October.

 



FLEET AIR ARM MUSEUM

R N A S Culdrose, Helston Tel: 01326 565085

 



HELSTON FOLK MUSEUM

Market Place, Helston Tel: 01326 564027

Local industry & crafts.

 


POLDARK MINING & HERITAGE

Trenear, Helston Tel: 01326 573173

 


 



Cornish Riviera


FOWEY TOWN MUSEUM

Town Hall, Trafalgar Square, Fowey Tel: 01726 833513

Medieval artefacts. Ship models. History. Open Easter - September.

 



MEVAGISSEY MUSEUM

The Quay, Mevagissey Tel: 01726 843568

Open Easter - September.

 


WHEAL MARTYN CHINA CLAY MUSEUM

Carthew, St. Austell Tel: 01726 850362

 


AUTOMOBILIA

Terras Road, St. Stephen, St. Austell Tel: 01726 823092

 


CHARLESTOWN SHIPWRECK

St. Austell Tel: 01726 69897

Shipwreck artefacts. Audio- visual. Open March to November.

 



MABEL LUCIE ATWELL MUSEUM

Fowey

 


 



South East Cornwall

 



LANREATH FARM & FOLK MUSEUM

Lanreath, Looe Tel: 01503 220321

Heritage of Looe area. Open Easter to October.

 



LOOE TOWN MUSEUM

Tel: 01503 263709

Open May to September.

 



THE OLD GUILDHALL MUSEUM

Higher Market Street, East Looe Tel: 01503 263709

 


LISKEARD TOWN MUSEUM

5 West Street, Liskeard Tel: 01579 345407

Open May to October.

 



NATIONAL MARITIME

Cotehele, Liskeard Tel: 01579 350830

 



PAUL CORIN'S MUSIC MACHINES

St. Keyne Tel: 01579 343108

Music machines. Open Easter to October.

 



CITY OF PLYMOUTH MUSEUM

Drake Circus, Plymouth Tel: 01752 264878

 


 



Isles of Scilly


Isles of Scilly Museum

Church St, St. Marys Tel: 01720 422337

Local & natural history. Shipwrecks.

 



VALHALLA FIGUREHEAD COLLECTION

Tresco, Isles of Scilly Tel: 01720 422849

 



PAPERS PAST

Longstone Heritage Centre, St. Marys Tel: 01720 422924




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Libraries

For holiday reading consider visiting your nearest library when visiting Cornwall.

There are thirty public libraries in Cornwall and others which are associated with museums and private institutions. Of particular relevance to anyone wanting information about Cornwall we suggest that you contact the Cornish Studies Library in Redruth and the Cornwall Reference and Information Library.

Cornish Studies Library

General Libaries

Cornwall Reference and Information Library


Cornwall Reference and Information Library.

Union Place, Truro.

Telephone: 01872 272702

The General Reference Collection

Community Information Database

The Business Collection

Study Support Service

Charges

Opening Hours

Access to fast efficient information services is a vital requirement in today's society, whether for business, study, social or leisure purposes.

Despite the special problems posed by Cornwall, with its relatively low population dispersed over a large area, it is the library's objective to provide to provide such a service to everyone who lives or works in the County.

Today's information services utilise a wide variety of resource media and demand a considerable ongoing investment to maintain their effectiveness.

It is feasible to support only one such major collection in Cornwall and that is situated at Truro. However, no matter where you live, you can be put in touch with the information library through any of the 28 libraries in the County, or contact them direct by telephone or fax. Moreover, many of the local libraries have reference collections of their own which may prove sufficient for your needs.

The General Reference Collection.

Provides all the essential reference sources - encyclopaedias, English and foreign language dictionaries, a full set of telephone directories, yellow Pages, atlases and biographical information. In addition, an extensive law collection includes Halsbury, All England Law reports and European legislation. The library keeps permanent files of several national newspapers, including The Times from 1900.

Community Information Database.

A key factor in the consistent service offered throughout the County is the library's network of information outlets. Nowhere is this more important than in the provision of information about the community in which we live and work. Cornwall has been one of the pioneers in establishing a computer database which identifies the multifarious activities in which people are engaged, in more than 300 places in the County. Not only can the library supply a printout to your specification by subject and/or place, but the same information is increasingly being made available through local branch libraries and other community centres.

Study Support Service.

The increase in project-based study associated with GCSE syllabuses has led to much greater use being made of reference libraries by young people. The library welcomes this involvement in school projects and encourages class visits, co-operate with school librarians and produce study packs on specific subjects. The education section contains examination papers and syllabuses and for older students, guides to higher education opportunities, including CFE, polytechnic and university prospectuses.

The Business Collection.

Just one additional piece of information can make all the difference between success and failure in the competitive business environment. In order to give Cornish businesses the edge, wherever possible, the library devotes a great deal of effort and resources to expanding their business information service.

The current collection includes:

Charges.

The greater part of the services are provided free to individuals or companies. However there is a charge for fax services at commercial rates, for on-line services at cost and original research can also be undertaken at competitive rates.

The above is only an outline of the range of services available. More information can be obtained by contacting the library.

Opening Hours:

Monday to Thursday: 9.30 am - 5.00 pm Friday: 9.30 am - 7.00 pm Saturday: 9.30 - 12.30 pm.


Cornish Studies Library

Clinton Road, Redruth.


Local libraries usually have good collections of Cornish books, some to borrow and some for use in the library. At Redruth a much larger collection exists. Besides 30,000 Cornish books, there are 30 different Cornish newspapers files, scores of journals and magazines, hundreds of maps and thousands of photographs.

Did you know..

There were once windmills on the Lizard Peninsula?

There was uranium mined near St. Stephens?

The discoverer of Neptune was a Cornishman?

Is my family Cornish?

What does my name mean?

Where did John Wesley preach?

What did they produce in that mine?

Find the answer at Redruth.

The Cornish Studies Library is the centre for information about Cornwall.

Opening Hours:

Tuesdays - 9.30 to 5.00 Wednesdays - 9.30 to 5.00 Thursdays - 9.30 to 5.00 Fridays - 9.30 to 7.00

Saturdays - 9.30 to 12.30 Closed - Mondays and 12.30 to 12.30 daily.


General Libraries

Alphabetically Listed


BODMIN, Lower Bore Street, Bodmin Tel: 0120872286


BUDE Tel: 01288 352527


CALLINGTON, Launceston Road, Callington Tel: 01579 383236


CAMBORNE, Cross Street, Camborne Tel: 01209 713544


CAMELFORD, Market Place, Camelford Tel: 01840 212409


CORNISH STUDIES, Clinton Road, Redruth Tel: 01209 216760


CORNWALL MUSIC & DRAMA, 2 Carlyon Road, St. Austell Tel: 01726 61702


CORNWALL REFERENCE & INFORMATION, Union Place, Truro Tel: 01872 272702


FALMOUTH, Municipal Offices, The Moor, Falmouth Tel: 01326 314901


FOWEY, Church Avenue, Fowey Tel: 01726 832332


HAYLE, Commercial Road, Hayle Tel: 01736 753196


HELSTON, Trengrouse Way, Helston Tel: 01326 572321


LAUNCESTON, Bounsalls Lane, Launceston Tel: 01566 773306


LISKEARD, Barras Street, Liskeard Tel: 01579 343285


LOOE, Seafront Court, The Quay, East Looe Tel: 01503 262365


LOSTWITHIEL, North Street, Lostwithiel Tel: 01208 872747


MORRAB LIBRARY, Morrab Gardens, Penzance Tel: 01736 364474


NEWQUAY, Marcus Hill, Newquay Tel: 01637 873538


PADSTOW, Market Strand Padstow Tel: 01841 532387


PAR, Eastcliffe Road, Par Tel: 01726 814853


PENRYN, St. Thomas Street, Penryn Tel: 01736 372203


PENZANCE, Morrab Road, Penzance Tel: 01736 363954


PERRANPORTH, The Oddfellows Hall, Ponsmere Road, Perranporth Tel: 01872 572590


PLYMOUTH CENTRAL, Drake Circus, Plymouth Tel: 01752 305912


REDRUTH, Clinton Road, Redruth Tel: 01209 219111


SALTASH, Callington Road, Saltash Tel: 01752 842478


ST. COLUMB, Town Hall, Market Place, St. Columb Tel: 01637 881480


ST. AUSTELL, 2 Carlyon Road, St. Austell Tel: 01726 73348


ST. JUST, Market Street, St. Just Tel: 01736 788669


ST. IVES, Gabriel Street, Penzance Tel: 01736 795377


ST. AGNES, Trelawney Road, St. Agnes Tel: 01872 553245


TAVISTOCK, Market Road, Tavistock Tel: 01822 612218


TORPOINT Tel: 01752 812207


TRURO, Union Place, Pydar Street, Truro Tel: 01872 279205


WADEBRIDGE, Southern Way, Wadebridge Tel: 01208 812202



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