Museums in Cornwall

Explores the history of British and European witchcraft, folk magic and associated traditions, with a collection connected to charms, healing, ritual, superstition and magical practice. Occupies historic premises beside Boscastle harbour, giving the visit a distinctive atmosphere.

• Address: The Harbour, Boscastle, PL35 0HD
• Phone: 01840 250111
• Facilities: Village cafés nearby; large-print information; manual wheelchair available
• Parking: No visitor parking at the museum; Cornwall Council village car park approximately 250m away
• Access: Step-free ground-floor access, though the historic building has narrow doorways and two staircases

Occupies part of the former RAF Davidstow Moor airfield, covering Cornwall's military history with a particular emphasis on aviation and the Second World War. Exhibits are spread across several buildings with a more informal, airfield character than a conventional town museum.

• Address: Nottles Park, Davidstow, Camelford, PL32 9YF
• Phone: 07799 194918
• Email: hq@cornwallatwarmuseum.co.uk
• Facilities: NAAFI-style refreshments, children's play area and picnic tables
• Parking: On-site visitor parking
• Access: Spread across a former airfield site; visitors with mobility requirements should contact the museum before visiting

Tells the story of one of Cornwall's historic county towns, with displays on local social history, shops and everyday life, both World Wars, the former St Lawrence's Hospital and Bodmin's railway history. Volunteer-run.

• Address: Mount Folly, Bodmin, PL31 2DQ
• Phone: 01208 77067
• Email: info@bodmintownmuseum.org.uk
• Facilities: Children's activities, interactive displays, shop, books and souvenirs
• Parking: Town-centre parking nearby; no dedicated museum car park
• Access: Wheelchair access is limited; alternative information about some displays can be provided on request

A compact introduction to the history of this famous north-coast harbour town, exploring fishing, boatbuilding, local trades and the changing character of Padstow beyond its modern reputation as a holiday and food destination. Small and volunteer-supported.

• Address: Station House, Station Road, Padstow, PL28 8DA
• Phone: 01841 532752
• Email: enquiries@padstowmuseum.co.uk
• Facilities: Local history displays, publications and volunteer information
• Parking: Town and harbour car parks nearby
• Access: Check with the museum before visiting if you have specific mobility requirements

Tells the story of the town and its people through fishing, mining, local trades, transport and everyday life — a useful counterpoint to St Ives' famous modern-art reputation. Housed in a historic building with strong volunteer support.

• Address: Wheal Dream, St Ives, TR26 1PR
• Phone: 01736 796005
• Email: info@stivesmuseum.co.uk
• Facilities: Children's trail, books and postcards; public toilets nearby
• Parking: Town car parks nearby; central St Ives parking can become busy during peak periods
• Access: Ground-floor entrance with stairlift to the first floor; wheelchair available

One of Cornwall's most impressive surviving mining heritage attractions, with historic mine buildings, machinery, the Hard Rock Museum, and the opportunity to experience part of the underground mine. Located on the "Tin Coast".

• Address: Geevor Tin Mine, Pendeen, Penzance, TR19 7EW
• Phone: 01736 788662
• Email: bookings@geevor.com
• Facilities: Café, shop, toilets, accessible toilets, baby changing, family activities and picnic areas
• Parking: Free all-day visitor parking
• Access: Many areas improved for accessibility, though some historic buildings and the underground tour are not wheelchair accessible; a 3D underground experience is available as an alternative

Tells the story of global communications and the submarine telegraph cables that connected Cornwall with the wider world, on the site of the original cable station in the dramatic Porthcurno valley.

• Address: Eastern House, Porthcurno, Penzance, TR19 6JX
• Phone: 01736 810966
• Email: info@pkporthcurno.com
• Facilities: Café, public toilets, archive access, virtual tour and accessibility resources
• Parking: Porthcurno car parks, including Blue Badge spaces
• Access: Accessible parking recommended for visitors with mobility issues, as some routes from lower car parks involve a steep slope

Combines a museum of West Cornwall's history with an important collection of Cornish art, particularly associated with artists who worked in Newlyn during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Set within Penlee Park.

• Address: Morrab Road, Penzance, TR18 4HE
• Phone: 01736 363625
• Email: info@penleehouse.org.uk
• Facilities: Café, shop, toilets, accessible toilet, baby changing, wheelchair loan and children's activities
• Parking: Three Blue Badge spaces at the rear plus nearby Wellfields Car Park
• Access: Good wheelchair and buggy access, lift to upper galleries and level access on the ground floor

Part of Cornwall's long-established artistic community, presenting contemporary exhibitions alongside work connected with the region's creative tradition, beside Newlyn Green. Also runs The Exchange in nearby Penzance.

• Address: New Road, Newlyn, TR18 5PZ
• Phone: 01736 363715
• Email: info@newlynartgallery.co.uk
• Facilities: Café, shop, toilets, learning spaces and community programmes
• Parking: Accessible parking bay directly outside (phone ahead); other local parking available
• Access: Both Newlyn Art Gallery and The Exchange are accessible; Newlyn has a lift to the upper gallery

One of the most significant historic studio-pottery sites in Britain, closely associated with Bernard Leach and Shoji Hamada, and widely regarded as the birthplace of British studio pottery. A working studio still trains potters on site today.

• Address: Higher Stennack, St Ives, TR26 2HE
• Phone: 01736 799703
• Facilities: Pottery shop (currently open, moving to a temporary pop-up on site), studios, courses and workshops
• Parking: No dedicated on-site disabled parking during redevelopment; nearest public car park is at Trenwith next to St Ives Leisure Centre (~10 min walk); free alternative parking at St John-in-the-Fields Church, a 4-minute walk away
• Access: Public areas are designed for wheelchair and pushchair access, with temporary arrangements during building work — contact ahead for specific access needs
• 2026/27 status: The museum and exhibition/gallery spaces closed in November 2025 for a major restoration project and are expected to reopen in spring 2027. The shop and learning courses continue to run throughout.