Latest news from The National Maritime Museum Cornwall

The once neglected sport of gig rowing has flourished and grown and now culminates annually in the World Gig Racing Championships each May on the Isles of Scilly.

This June, three boats from our collection will be out on the water and on display at Falmouth Classics 2026, a three-day regatta of racing, parades, and onshore events.

For Volunteers’ Week 2026 we will be celebrating our team of 160 volunteers and inviting others to discover the joys of museum volunteering.

After months of restoration in our boatbuilding workshop, author Wyl Menmuir launched his 1962 wooden wayfarer ‘Eleana’ in May, ahead of a crossing to the Isles of Scilly.

Our Gift Shop is now part of the LoveFalmouth Shopper Card scheme, a free loyalty card that rewards you for exploring the brilliant independent businesses that make Falmouth a special town.

Anne Stephens’ Surfboard won Object of the Year at the Cornwall Heritage Awards 2026

Award-winning authour Wyl Menmuir has been restoring Eleana, a 1962 wooden Wayfarer, in the Museum’s boatbuilding workshop.

Saturday 23 May. National Maritime Museum Cornwall welcomes Pudsey Bear on the Big Bear Voyage 2026.

After a successful launch on Friday 8 May – VE Day 2026 – there is a summer of public appearances along the Cornish coast planned for the WW2 SN2 Surf boat replica build.