Museum of Cornish Life — Attraction in Helston

A gem, this museum is astoundingly underrated. I knew that it was meant to be good before my visit but I didn't realise HOW good. It is massive. I went twice, as on my first visit I didn't even get past the first room. It's the sort of museum that one could spend weeks and weeks in, and still find something new. Absolutely crammed with objects, artefacts, art, and information. There is everything from ancient pottery, to handmade dioramas, to stoves, to Apple presses, the history of portable audio, Victorian scrapbooks, serpentine turner tools, and of course lots and lots and lots to do with fishing and the furry. I only wish I had found this place earlier, and had had the chance to visit over and over and over again.

This is also an excellent place to bring children. There is a children's play area past the first room, activities to do such as finding certain objects within the displays, and a dress up area in the victorian classroom.

My personal favourite, of the whole museum, was the newspaper story from the Edwardian era, displayed in the first room, about the escaped lions and their recapture in Helston. An absolutely brilliant, true tale, the illustrations and stunningly "stiff upper lip" wording of the story had me almost crying with laughter.

I genuinely couldn't recommend this place enough. An absolutely great museum, for anyone and everyone. Fully accessible for people with limited mobility, and wheelchair users, the information cards are in large, easily read print which I believe is even bottom-heavy to aid dyslexic readers. The museum is also friendly to the LGBTQ community, and their current exhibition on clothing through history explores gender roles and the ways they are expressed through clothing both as it is worn and as it is made. Brilliant....

Great little place for a wobbly wanderer! Free of charge though a donation was well deserved.

I visited mid week off season and found it very quiet, volunteers checked in with me as I explored, just to make sure I was ok and to ask if I'd like any help. This was appreciated but the slope of the floor is no worse than the pavements outside and there was a lift to the 1st and 2nd floors so I was able to negotiate the space independently but appreciated the offer of help if I needed it.

There is such a lot on display it was impossible to take it all in on one visit, I plan to return when friends visit so they can get their own overview of Cornish/Helston history and I can learn more.

Plenty of activities for toddlers and young children, the displays themselves are so varied that older children and adults are bound to find something to interest them. Everything from Roman coins and prehistoric pottery to a 1700s cider press, Victorian clothing to mid 20th century household appliances and everything in between.

This was a lovely little adventure and I look forward to returning. I can't recommend it enough for my wobbly friends. There is parking outside, accessible toilets and a pop up cafe to take care...

Usually UK museums are paid.

But this one its hidden gem and free. But i would buy something or donate in the shop at the entrance. It helps them to manage this huge rare collection of cornish things. I would spend whole day here to absorb the culture. But had a quick look due to time scale.

You can get below in the shop: Cornwall gifting items Cornish Fudge Gems Books Toys for kids Many more

You can donate at the reception and also in the machine £1 is also fine.

We can also get 2nd hand books for .5£ and 1£ for small and big books.

And got nice little play area with kitchen sofa and for kids.

It’s a hidden gem and mush visit place if you are in and around StIves or south Cornwall....