National Maritime Museum Cornwall Open 7 days a week
'An experience as alive as the sea'
A unique and interactive displays of boats and their place in people's lives.

Over looking the busy Falmouth harbour and the Carrick roads, the National Maritime Museum Cornwall has been designed to reflect the relationship that has always existed between Cornwall and the sea in a uniquely inspiring, interactive displays of boats and their place in people's lives.

This unique maritime heritage is exhibited over three floors (in 12 state-of-the-art galleries), each focusing on different aspects of industry, work and communications. The National Maritime Museum Cornwall has been designed to create a wide appeal, offering a diverse range of 'hands-on' displays and an unrivalled collection of boats - including many in active use on the water.

Set Sail

Inside Set Sail, nine boats tell their stories in an audio-visual immersive experience that will enthral you whatever your background or interest. Film footage, sound tracks and still images, interviews with famous sailors and designers - all vividly bring to life the stories of the boats and the people that use them.

The Gallery

In this magnificent 'canyon-like' gallery, you can take a close look at a selection of boats from the national Maritime museum's collection. many of the exhibits are suspended in mid-air like the world's largest boat mobile.

There are 27 boats featured in the displays first year, reflecting the diversity of the collection. As you wander through the gallery, you will see boats used for racing, work, pleasure, rescue; boats from around the world, boats designed for specific purposes, boats used by famous people.

Every year National Maritime Museum plans to change the focus of the display, varying the theme to create fresh interest for you to return again and again.

Wander round the boats on the ground floor or travel along the suspended walkways which rise to the third floor, on which information points, video, and interactive screens will make the boats come alive.

Waterfront

Especially for the younger visitors (or the young at heart!). Try your hand at sailing a radio-controlled boat up and down the large purpose built pool - or race around a course.

This special feature of the National Maritime Museum Cornwall, allows you to test your skills as you put theory into practice on a pool that has been constructed with in-built fans creating winds across the surface of the water. Staff will help you understand how to sail into, or away from the wind.

Boat Building

How were the first boats built? What materials and tools were used? What new techniques are used today? Why does a boat float? What makes it stable in the water? How does it move along?

The Boatbuilding gallery will help you answer these questions, and countless others too. Learn how a logboat is built. Investigate the different ways in which boats can be propelled through the water. See sections of a Cornish pilot gig in construction and lots more. This is the place to find ideas and innovation for new boat design.

Workshop

Here you'll be able to watch boat builders using a variety of techniques to build, repair and restore boats, as well as talking to them about their work

Special Exhibition Gallery
The Special Exhibition gallery will see regularly changing displays, often of an artistic or photographic nature, relating to our maritime environment. Plans for the first year include exhibitions of Cornish photography, maritime art, Shipshape and the story of tattoos.

The Tidal Zone

The Tidal Zone takes you below the waterline to give you a unique underwater view of the harbour through two large windows. Learn about the effects of the Sun and Moon on the tides or study the diverse wildlife that lives along our coastline.