A voyage of discovery
15 galleries, over five floors: exploring the influence of the sea on history and culture
Falmouth, on the South Cornwall coast, is a fitting setting for this journey of discovery to begin. The Museum is located on aptly named Discovery Quay, and is a vast, iconic building, home to exciting exhibitions and a wide range of galleries taking visitors on a journey through the influence of the sea on history and culture.
The building was custom designed and built on land that was once covered in the sheds of boat builders. These sheds inspired the design of the building which is covered in green oak. The building has the most fantastic, breathtaking views over Falmouth harbour.
The Boat Hall
Your voyage of discovery begins in the Boat Hall. Here you can orientate yourself in the building, admiring the hanging flotilla of small boats on display over your head.
The variety of boats around the world is staggering. From earliest times people have built rafts and logboats using whatever material was available, and have powered them by muscle, wind or engine. They are shaped by the people who make and use them and are used for working, fishing, rescue, ceremony, transporting people and goods. Each boat reflects its heritage.
Seek out the Ednamair, the tiny dinghy in which the Robertson family – five people and a friend – survived for 38 days in the Pacific after their yacht had been holed. This is one of the great ocean survival stories of modern times.
The Boat Pool
Sail model boats and even have a race.
RNLI Rescue Zone
Beyond, in the RNLI Rescue Zone there are ride-on rescue vehicles, a dressing-up area and information about sea safety where we celebrate the outstanding work of the RNLI.
Children playing in the RNLI Rescue Zone.
The Hold – our major temporary exhibition space
The Hold is our largest single exhibition space where we install our respected and renowned major exhibitions. Our aim is to curate ambitious and unexpected exhibitions developing partnership projects with national and international museums, bringing new connections with world cultures to Cornwall, and bringing ancient artefacts from national and international collections.
Current major exhibition
Pirates, running until 6 January 2025.
Previous major exhibitions
2020 – 2023 Monsters of the Deep
2018 – 2019 Titanic Stories.
2017 Tattoo: British Tattoo Art Revealed and Captain Bligh: Myth, Man and Mutiny.
2016 Viking Voyagers.
The Pirates exhibition currently held in The Hold.
Flotilla
Flying across the top of the Boat Hall is our flotilla of small boats from The National Small Boat collection. Preserving a collection of international importance, including craft used for survival, work, competition, leisure, pleasure, exploration and war… from the Inuit kayak, a deadly hunter’s tool of skin and driftwood with an unbroken pedigree stretching back 10,000 years to the Mirror dinghy, as much a part of the ’60s social revolution as the Mini car. The museum doesn’t just tell the story of inanimate objects – it relates the tales of the lives and the times of those who made and used them.
The Cornwall Galleries
In these galleries Cornwall’s unique maritime heritage can be explored over three floors, each focusing on different aspects of industry, work and communications.
The Falmouth Gallery – 2nd floor
Falmouth is the world’s third largest natural deep-water harbour and a sheltered haven for large ships. It was once the maritime hub of an Empire, so internationally important that in the 1880’s 25 countries had consular representatives here. Explore the maritime history of Britain’s first and last port of call: from the Packet ships of the late 17th century to the heyday of Falmouth’s port in the 19th century and right up to the present day with the record breaking achievements of Sir Robin Knox-Johnston and Dame Ellen MacArthur. Stepping into our Falmouth gallery is like stepping back in time. Falmouth’s incredible history is celebrated through objects, journals, listening posts, interpretation, photographs and interactive displays.
The Falmouth Gallery.
Cornwall and the Sea – 1st floor
Nowhere in Cornwall is more than 17 miles from the sea. This proximity has shaped both the landscape and its people. In this gallery you can discover how Cornish people have made a living from the sea, how local craft were built and who sailed in them. Exhibits explore Falmouth’s role in global communication and trade, along with the development of Cornwall’s migratory links around the world. Witness the stories of dramatic rescues off the Cornish coast.
The Cornwall and The Sea gallery.
Cornish Quayside – ground floor
Enjoy an exhibition full of interactive and story-telling displays. Listen to tales of the lives of Cornish fishermen in their own words. Find out how sails were traditionally made and explore how pilchards were pressed in our reconstruction of a pilchard cellar.
The Cornish Quayside gallery.
Tidal Zone
In the Tidal Zone you can go underwater and look out into the harbour through two large windows – if you stand there long enough you’ll see the tide rise and fall. Take a really close look and you could catch a glimpse of a cormorant diving after a fish, crabs, shrimps and much more. Here you can learn more about the effects of the Moon and Sun and what causes the tides. Interactive displays also introduce some of the animals and plants that live in the estuary, a Special Conservation Area with a wide diversity of species.
Head down to the Tidal Zone. 
Skull Island Play Zone
Let their imaginations run wild at the Skull Island Play Zone. Dress-up as pirates, watch-out for enemies and navigate the high seas.
The Lookout
Climb to the top of the tower for breathtaking views over the harbour, docks and estuary. Find out about historic buildings, local landmarks, coastal features, and special events and vessels in the harbour. Look north across the water toward the village of Flushing, former home of Packet Ship captains, or inland to the west and Custom House Quay where the customs used to land contraband goods seized from ships. There are binoculars and telescopes for you to use, and a series of maps so you can build up the history of the harbour and its surroundings.
The Bartlett Maritime Research Centre and Library
The Museum’s research work is led by the Bartlett Maritime Research Centre which incorporates the Bartlett Library and the Peter and Julie Newall Library, a wonderful resource of books, archives and records on maritime matters. Find out more about The Bartlett Maritime Research Centre and Library.
The Bartlett and Maritime Research Centre and Library
The Bridge
The Bridge is the Museum’s temporary exhibition space and is home to a regularly changing programme of exhibitions.
The Sunley Lecture Theatre
Fitted with the latest audio-visual technology and an induction loop for hearing aid users this is where we hold our inspiring talks, presentations, conferences and films.
