National Maritime Museum Cornwall
Discovery Quay, Falmouth - boats, tides and harbour views
Discovery Quay, Falmouth, Cornwall, TR11 3QY | 01326 313388
Fifteen galleries built around the water
The National Maritime Museum Cornwall opened in 2003 as the centrepiece of the regeneration of Falmouth's Discovery Quay and Events Square, in a striking landmark building chosen by design competition. It grew out of the Falmouth International Maritime Initiative, a partnership between the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich and the former Falmouth/Cornwall Maritime Museum - a link that continues today through the National Small Boat Collection, around 120 vessels held here on long-term loan from Royal Museums Greenwich, making this the primary Greenwich-affiliated maritime museum outside London.
The museum's main hall, the Boat Hall, is dominated by the "Flying Flotilla" - small boats suspended from the ceiling above the galleries, giving a sense of scale to the collection from the moment you walk in. Below ground, the Tidal Zone is a basement viewing gallery with windows set below the waterline of Falmouth harbour, looking straight out into the marina - a rare below-the-surface perspective on a working Cornish port. At the opposite end of the building, the Look Out is a glass-walled rooftop deck offering panoramic views over Falmouth harbour, Pendennis Point and St Mawes.
Across its fifteen galleries the museum runs a changing programme of exhibitions alongside its permanent collection - as of early 2026 this includes SURF!, marking a century of Cornish surfing, and a new exhibition on art and mental health recovery. The museum is run by the National Maritime Museum Cornwall Trust, an independent registered charity receiving no direct government funding.
-UCF---Damien-Hockey.jpg)
Opening Times & Ticket Prices
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | £19.00 |
| Student / Concession | £12.00 |
| Child (5-17) | £10.00 |
| Under 5s | Free |
| Twilight (from 3pm, single visit) | Adult £12 / Child £6 |
Handily, the standard admission ticket doubles as a free annual pass, valid for repeat visits for 12 months from your first entry (twilight tickets excluded). A 10% discount is available for online pre-booking and for Blue Light and Armed Forces visitors. The museum is open daily, 10am to 5pm, closing only for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
Did you know?
The museum's Tidal Zone gallery sits below the waterline of Falmouth harbour, with windows looking straight out into the marina - one of very few places in Britain you can see a working harbour from underneath.
Visitor Information
Parking
No dedicated museum car park - the nearest public parking is at Falmouth's town centre and harbourside car parks, a short walk away.
Facilities
On-site café with harbour views, plus a museum shop.
Disabled Access
The building is lift-accessible across its floors - contact the museum in advance for specific access requirements.
Things to Do Nearby
- Falmouth Harbour & Custom House Quay - the working harbourfront a short walk from the museum.
- Pendennis Castle - Henry VIII's coastal fortress guarding the mouth of the Fal.
- Gyllyngvase Beach - Falmouth's main sandy beach, a short walk from the town centre.
- Trebah Garden - a sub-tropical ravine garden running down to a private beach on the Helford.
- St Mawes - a picturesque fishing village across the Fal estuary, reachable by ferry.
Nearby Places to Stay
Frequently Asked Questions
Official Website
For the latest opening times, ticket prices and exhibitions, visit the official National Maritime Museum Cornwall website directly, or view a live copy below.
Visit nmmc.co.ukPage last updated: 20 August 2026