5 Maritime Gift Ideas that support the Museum’s work

When you choose to purchase a gift from National Maritime Museum Cornwall this Christmas, you’re giving twice, delighting someone special while supporting vital work that preserves maritime heritage and inspires future generations. Give gifts that make waves this Christmas.

Since opening in 2003 on Discovery Quay in Falmouth, we’ve been a charity dedicated to enriching understanding of the sea and Cornwall’s unique coastal culture. Your support helps us curate ambitious exhibitions, run award-winning education programmes, undertake boat building and conservation projects, and preserve Cornwall’s maritime stories for generations to come.

Here are five meaningful gifts that keep on giving:

Museum Annual Membership – The Gift That Lasts All Year

Give unlimited access for a year to our changing exhibitions, special member events, and the satisfaction of directly supporting maritime heritage preservation. Members enjoy discounted Museum entry for any guests accompanying them, exclusive previews, and discounts in our shop and café, all while knowing their membership fees fund our educational programmes, conservation work, and community engagement projects. Perfect for anyone who loves returning to discover something new with each visit.

Members also benefit from free admission in November and January to a number of Cornwall’s best attractions including Eden Project, Trebah Garden, The Lost Gardens of Heligan, Wheal Martyn Clay Works, Minack Theatre, Lappa Valley and Geevor Tin Mine – check membership page for attraction details and exclusions.

Explore Membership options

Museum Annual Pass – Unlimited Inspiration

An Annual Pass offers year-round access to all our exhibitions, from major exhibitions like SURF! to intimate displays of rare maritime artefacts from around the world. Annual Pass holders can explore at their own pace, visiting as often as they like within the year while supporting our work.

Ideal for curious minds who want to dive deeper into Cornwall’s connection with the sea.

Book an Annual Pass

Event Tickets – Experiences to Remember

From to evening lectures with leading academics, artists, and environmental activists, our events programme offers unique experiences that connect people with maritime culture in unexpected ways. When you gift event tickets, you’re supporting our mission to make Cornish maritime history inspiring for everyone while giving your loved one an unforgettable experience.

Whether they’re a surf culture devotee or history lover, there’ll be an event for them!

Browse What’s On

Curated Shop Treasures – Gifts with Purpose

Our Museum gift shop is a treasure trove of maritime-inspired gifts, nautical homeware, Cornwall-themed books, and unique finds you won’t discover elsewhere. Every purchase directly supports our charitable work, from our ambitious exhibitions programme to our work with schools.

Navigate to our gift guides for everyone on your nautical and nice list, from coastal homeware to classic maritime reads.

Explore the Shop

Gift Vouchers – Freedom to Choose

Can’t decide? A gift voucher gives the recipient the freedom to choose from our in-store Gift Shop collection while supporting the Museum’s vital work. Our shop is open every day 10am-5pm and FREE to enter (closed Christmas Eve through to Boxing Day), so they can browse at their leisure and find something special they love.

Purchase a Gift Voucher

Your Support Makes a Difference

National Maritime Museum Cornwall exists to celebrate our relationship with the sea. When you give a gift from the Museum this Christmas, you’re not just giving a present, you’re supporting a charity that preserves Cornwall’s maritime heritage, inspires curiosity about our oceans, and creates meaningful connections between people and the sea.

Learn more about how you support the Museum