Steeped in history
Dip your toes into the historic Falmouth docks. The National Maritime Museum showcases the fascinating maritime history of Falmouth and the greater Cornwall region.
The National Maritime Museum is situated in Discovery Quay, midway between the town centre and Falmouth Docks. Dipping its toe in Falmouth Harbour, the multi award-winning it offers a fascinating history and celebration of the sea, boats and Cornwall. The vast, iconic building is 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. has the most fantastic, breath-taking views over Falmouth harbour.
The variety of boats on display from around the world is staggering and includes rafts and logboats from the earliest times, right up to those now used for working, fishing, rescue, ceremonial and transportion. Each boat reflects its unique heritage.
At the heart of this display is the enormous Thames steam launch, Waterlily, a memory of an age of elegance, idleness and long, sunny, summer days. Dating from 1866, she was one of the earliest such pleasure craft on the Thames and helped set the trend for the Edwardian era that followed.
There’s also the Edna Mair, 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.
Check their website for events on special exhibitions: https://www.nmmc.co.uk/