Boatbuilding Workshop Open Days

A remarkable piece of local maritime history is coming to life in our Museum boatbuilding workshop and we’re inviting Museum visitors to take a closer look during our Workshop Open Days.

Under the direction of Bob White, Boat Collection Manager, our workshop volunteer team are carefully crafting a replica of a World War II boat with an extraordinary secret mission. During World War II, the Helford River was a critical launching point for daring Special Operations Executive (SOE) missions into occupied France.

Workshop Open Days – Plan Your Visit

Thanks to the generous support of a ‘Victory 80’ award, our WW2 S.N.2 Special Operations Executive (SOE) replica boat build project can uncover more about the role these boats played during the war, and we can host more open days for Museum visitors to step inside the workshop, take a closer look at the Surfboat and chat to some of the team who have been working on the project.

Upcoming Workshop Open Days

Wednesday 12 November

Wednesday 10 December

So far this year we’ve also opened up the workshop to visitors for special events including:

VE Day – Thursday 8 May 2025 On the 80th anniversary of VE Day, the workshop opened for visitors to meet the team behind the build, see how work was progressing and find out more about the secretive work of these boats. Throughout the day visitors could watch a silent film of the last and only daylight mission of the 15th Motor Gunboat Flotilla, the most decorated Naval unit of the war.

Falmouth Classics & International Sea Shanty Weekend – Friday 13 June 2025 The workshop opened as part of the Falmouth Classics and Falmouth International Sea Shanty Weekend, allowing visitors to discover more about this fascinating piece of maritime history.

VJ Day – Friday 15 August 2025 During Falmouth Week, the workshop opened to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VJ Day. This special access gave visitors a rare opportunity to step inside the workshop to take a closer look at the remarkable WW2 SN2 replica boat under construction.

Regular Workshop Viewing

Pass by the boatbuilding workshop in the Museum on Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays during your Museum visit to see the progress of the Helford Spy Boat build.

Looking Ahead

Visitors can look forward to seeing the completed historic vessel, and learning more about the secret wartime activities of the Helford River, in a special exhibition planned for spring 2026.

The boatbuilding workshop open days are free as part of the Museum’s annual admission fee. Pay once and get in free for a year.

Plan your visit

The Victory 80 award was funded by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and awarded by Museum Development South West with thanks to support from Arts Council England. Read more about the Victory 80 award, and what it will help us do here.