Museum’s WW2 Surfboat Replica to Feature at the Cornish Heritage EXPO 2025

We’re excited to announce that our latest boatbuilding workshop project will be showcased at the upcoming EXPO Ertach Kernow 2025 | Cornish Heritage EXPO 2025, taking place at the historic Pendennis Castle in Falmouth on 3-4 October.

See the WW2 S.N.2 SOE Surfboat Replica Up Close

Visitors will have the unique opportunity to view our replica build of the WW2 S.N.2 Special Operations Executive (SOE) Surfboat, a fascinating piece of wartime maritime history. Bob White, the Museum’s Boat Collection Manager, will be on hand to share the captivating history behind this remarkable vessel and discuss the progress of our ongoing boatbuilding project.

This is your chance to meet members of the team who have been dedicated to bringing this historic craft back to life, learn about the traditional techniques employed in its construction, and examine the craftsmanship up close.

Conservation in Action: Two Days of Heritage Discovery

This year’s EXPO theme, ‘Conservation in Action’, brings together a diverse range of heritage organisations and practitioners—from basket-makers to architects—all working to preserve Cornwall’s rich cultural legacy. Both days are free for exhibitors and visitors.

The opening day focuses on career opportunities within the heritage sector, covering landscape conservation, traditional crafts, museums and archives, building restoration, and architecture. Whether you’re a young person exploring career paths or considering a change of direction, this day offers invaluable insights into work experience, apprenticeships, training programmes, and volunteering opportunities.While primarily aimed at secondary schools, colleges, and universities, members of the public are warmly welcomed.

The second day showcases conservation work across Cornwall’s heritage landscape with engaging demonstrations and hands-on activities for all ages. Experience live demonstrations of traditional skills including basket-making, stone carving, Cornish hedging, pottery and withy pot making.

Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to explore Cornwall’s living heritage, discover the stories behind our WW2 Surfboat replica, and connect with the people and organisations dedicated to preserving our maritime and cultural history for future generations.

Find out more about EXPO Ertach Kernow | Cornish Heritage EXPO 

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. So far this year we’ve taken the replica build to Port Navas Regatta on the Helford River and opened up the workshop to visitors for special events such as the 80th anniversary of VE Day, VJ Day, and as part of the Falmouth Classics and Falmouth International Sea Shanty Weekend.

The 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.