Museum of Cornish Life, Helston

Museum of Cornish Life, Helston

Museum of Cornish Life, Helston
5
Speciality MuseumsHistory Museums
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
About
Explore 19th and 20th century Cornish culture and industry in the heart of Helston. Browse our spectacular collections housed in Helston's historic market buildings - much bigger than it looks from the outside! Explore the way our grandparents and parents lived and wonder at the way things were done only a few years ago. "A Treasure Trove of Memories and Curiosities!"
Duration: 1-2 hours
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  • Traveller1
    United Kingdom73 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Lovely & Interesting
    Its a great little museum, with very friendly volunteers too. We had small children and they enjoyed looking around and also playing in the little kitchen den too. The DIY cafe is a nice touch which we took advantage of. Well worth a visit
    So glad you enjoyed your visit to the museum and our DIY cafe - thank you for visiting us Annette
    Written August 3, 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited July 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written July 29, 2023
  • bestcornishcat
    United Kingdom29,370 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    An absolute delight!
    A wonderful building packed to the brim with interesting objects, from veterinary equipment to musical instruments and from WWII gas masks to Henry Trengrouse’s life saving equipment. There are displays of old schoolrooms with hats and gowns to try on, kitchen equipment, a recreation of a pharmacy, old Post Office carts, a horse powered cider press, a hieroglyphic Bible, a slide show and delightful exhibition of photos and so much more. Absolutely fascinating. And, as if that wasn’t enough, there were friendly, knowledgeable staff and volunteers on hand, all of whom were very welcoming, right from Percy who told us all about the building itself as we arrived. You can enjoy a cream tea (great scones!) right in the middle of things. And, amazingly, it’s free! If you haven’t been, do go. It deserves your support.
    Thank you so much for your wonderful review - it is very much appreciated and we will pass on your kind works directly to Percy and Cherrill (who made the cream tea). Much appreciated Annette
    Written August 29, 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited August 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written August 5, 2023
  • Liam J
    8 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Highly recommended!
    On holiday and the weather was a bit poor. Decided to visit the Cornish life museum in Helston, and we were glad we did! Excellent exhibitions, and free entry too. The self service cafe is a nice touch. Don't forget to leave a donation!
    We are delighted you enjoyed your visit and thank you for plugging about leaving a donation. The generosity of our visitors helps us in all we do and allows us to keep the museum free for all. Thank you Annette
    Written August 29, 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited August 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written August 11, 2023
  • Monsieurslinky
    Northamptonshire, United Kingdom236 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Charming museum
    The Museum of Cornish Life is an utterly charming experience. Our visit took us through some wonderful artefacts. The cider press was enormous, clunky and awe inspiring and the 50's kitchen was crammed full of bygone household products. My favourite though was a section devoted to Granny Boswell. This wise woman had a reputation for being a mystic and perhaps a witch of sorts. Her story drew me in and I would have loved to have seen more of her. A Granny Boswell postcard or mug in the gift shop would have been a thrill. I must also commend the toy display upstairs which was diverse and well constructed.
    Thank you so much for the review and also the idea about Granny Boswell - we will try and take that forward. We recently re-did the toy shop so your comments are very much appreciated Annette
    Written October 26, 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited October 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written October 19, 2023
  • 1949etwall
    Ashbourne, United Kingdom1,657 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Highlight of Helston
    This is a surprise in the best sense- and it just goes on and on. Well kept museum with pop up coffee tea facility and very helpful volunteers on day we visited (Friday 20 October AM). Entrance is free - donations invited- but we have been in many Museums which charge that were not so interesting. This was a morning in itself. Appreciated most: Remembrance quilt. Video stories of Cornish life. Final observation is that there is such a mountain of exhibits on display that can be difficult to see the important items. The displays are not focused.
    Thank you so much for your thoughtful response - we are really glad you enjoyed your time with us. We recently moved the quilt so it could be seen better and I am so glad it was a highlight for you. Much appreciated Annette
    Written October 26, 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited October 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written October 20, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

5.0
5.0 of 5 bubbles243 reviews
Excellent
201
Very good
36
Average
4
Poor
0
Terrible
2

Roma
7 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2022
What a fabulous museum and the staff so helpful, especially Isobel Broomfield, the trainee curator. I am looking for a photograph of my grandfather who led the mid day Furry Dance with the Mayor of Helston in 1947. Issy sent me a number of photographs to look at and then I visited the Museum to look for the photos which had not be digitised. I had no success, unfortunately, but Issy went out of her way to try to look what I am looking. Well done Museum of Cornish, I would certainly recommend people visit there to see the wonderful exhibits they have on display.
Written April 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for your lovely review and I will pass your kind words to Isobel. We are really lucky to have been given funding through Cornwall Museums Partnership from the John Ellerman Foundation to make the role possible with additional support from Cultivator. The collection of photos is so large it is brilliant having people like Issy to help with research. Thank you so much Annette
Written June 17, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

kim l
Somerset, UK4 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2020
I have to go back and explore more

If you are a real museum fan you will love the place. It is a long time since my last visit and we were close to closing time so we were given some discount. I could have spent hours in there. Judging by the photos on Trip Advisor it has been refurbished. Great attraction, if you have children with you
Written February 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are so glad you enjoyed your visit and we are thrilled to be open again
Written May 18, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Ceekay2016
Truro, UK17 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020
Really interesting folk museum to go round showing lots of aspect of life since early Victorian and sometimes before that. Displays of different types of rocks uncovered through mining. Large collections of home “gadgets” over time. Interesting local facts and local life exhibits. The building itself is interesting to walk round - it’s an old market hall! Staff very friendly. Voluntary donations - no charge!
Written March 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your really kind review - we really appreciate the comments. Thanks you again Annette
Written March 27, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

1949etwall
Ashbourne, UK1,657 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Couples
This is a surprise in the best sense- and it just goes on and on.

Well kept museum with pop up coffee tea facility and very helpful volunteers on day we visited (Friday 20 October AM).

Entrance is free - donations invited- but we have been in many Museums which charge that were not so interesting. This was a morning in itself.

Appreciated most:
Remembrance quilt.
Video stories of Cornish life.

Final observation is that there is such a mountain of exhibits on display that can be difficult to see the important items. The displays are not focused.
Written October 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful response - we are really glad you enjoyed your time with us. We recently moved the quilt so it could be seen better and I am so glad it was a highlight for you. Much appreciated Annette
Written October 26, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

LaJarrie
Southampton, UK491 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2022 • Friends
Nearly washed away getting here, during an absolute downpour, but it was worth every drip and puddle.
A fascinating smaller museum, which gives a very interesting account of Cornish life in the past. Some of the exhibits take older guests back to their childhood. Staff members very friendly and helpful. To do the museum justice, you need to allow a couple of hours, as whilst it is not a big museum, it really worth the effort to read the explanations and descriptions about exhibits.
Written September 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for braving the weather to visit us and also for leaving such a lovely review. Our team on the front desk are all volunteers supported by an apprentice so it does make a difference when we can plass on such lovely responses. Thank you
Written December 5, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Denzal
Wirral, UK278 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2022
Called in out of curiosity and didn't expect much, how wrong could we be. Greeted by a delightful lady who told us the history of Helstons Flora Dance, really interesting. Had a good walk around the museum, incredible, like walking back through the ages. Some really good musical and mechanised exhibits on show like the Flora Dance machine by the entrance. Upstairs there is an old school room set up, very realistic and included the much hated cane used on naughty children, brought back memories of my own school days! Look out for a stained glass window commemorating the life of a Helston man who lost his life on the Titanic.
The museum is free to visit, interestin, educational and well worth visiting.
Written May 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I am so glad you enjoyed your visit with us and from your description I bet it was our wonderful volunteer Jill. The museum is full of wonders and we are thrilled you enjoyed it. Thank you Annette
Written June 17, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

bestcornishcat
United Kingdom29,370 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Couples
A wonderful building packed to the brim with interesting objects, from veterinary equipment to musical instruments and from WWII gas masks to Henry Trengrouse’s life saving equipment. There are displays of old schoolrooms with hats and gowns to try on, kitchen equipment, a recreation of a pharmacy, old Post Office carts, a horse powered cider press, a hieroglyphic Bible, a slide show and delightful exhibition of photos and so much more.
Absolutely fascinating.
And, as if that wasn’t enough, there were friendly, knowledgeable staff and volunteers on hand, all of whom were very welcoming, right from Percy who told us all about the building itself as we arrived.
You can enjoy a cream tea (great scones!) right in the middle of things.
And, amazingly, it’s free!
If you haven’t been, do go. It deserves your support.
Written August 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review - it is very much appreciated and we will pass on your kind works directly to Percy and Cherrill (who made the cream tea). Much appreciated Annette
Written August 29, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Lanzagal
Uxbridge, UK107 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020
Had time to spare so thought would take a look and so glad I did. Such a lot of the items I could remember as a child and wonderful memories came flooding back. Other visitors too had tales to tell of their childhood. Chairs were around for people to be able o sit on and take a rest which was much welcomed. Don't miss this on your visit to Helston. All free too.
Written February 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The museum is full of objects to stir memories and it delights us too when we walk through the museum and hear visitors sharing their stories. Our next exhibition 'Cornish Springtime' is certain to draw out more tale. Thank you for so much for taking the time to review us Annette
Written March 3, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

ladams888
London, UK32 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2022 • Couples
We discovered this museum by accident and are so glad we did. It's the perfect place to while away a couple of hours. It is a very eclectic collection of household items, clothes, toys, photos - well-labelled and all very interesting. The staff were very friendly and welcoming.
Written June 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are so glad you enjoyed your visit and thank you so much for taking the time to leave such a lovely review. Annette
Written July 28, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Fi P
Kenilworth, UK25 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2022 • Friends
A lovely wander through an eclectic collection of Cornish history in a deceptively large museum. We we warmly welcomed by volunteers who were keen to show us some of the treasures and then encourage us to explore at our leisure.

We saw things that brought back memories of our grandparent's homes, learnt about how fashion influenced how women were perceived in society or vice versa, and listened to some interesting personal stories amongst many other things. A fascinating gentle afternoon.
Written June 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much- our team of volunteers who welcome visitors are so amazing and I will pass on your kind words. Thank you Annette
Written July 28, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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Museum of Cornish Life, Helston - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Frequently Asked Questions about Museum of Cornish Life, Helston

Museum of Cornish Life, Helston is open:
  • Mon - Fri 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
  • Sat - Sat 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM


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