Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery

The Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery (formerly Royal Cornwall Musuem) is home to a treasure trove of art and artefacts shedding light on what makes Cornwall such a unique and special place. As well as the permanent collections, the museum has an exciting and diverse programme of exhibitions to discover each year, so there's always a reason to keep coming back.

The new-look Mineral Gallery is a definite highlight - a real 'wow' moment for the whole family. Take a deep dive into Cornish geology in this immersive space, which brings the story of how minerals have shaped the landscape and our lives bang up to date.

And relaunched for March 2025 are three fabulous new spaces - The Heart of Cornwall Gallery, Nature Gallery, and Art Gallery.

At the core of the museum, The Heart of Cornwall Gallery tells the story of all that is unique and captivating about this beautiful region. Meanwhile, the new Nature Gallery offers playful ways into big topics like biodiversity and sustainability and boasts a fantastic nature-themed dressing up cabinet and 'human display case' allowing visitors to become part of the museum itself. The Art Gallery showcases an impressive collection of works charting a course through Cornish, British, and European art history.

Elsewhere in the museum, meet Iset-tayef-nakht. In 1837, the mummy of Iset was donated to the Royal Institution of Cornwall, the charity which founded the museum. The Ancient Civilisations Gallery uses Iset as a gateway into the everyday lives of people living in Ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome, and the influences those cultures still have on our lives today.

The museum is a great family day out, with a lift, changing facilities and a welcoming team of staff and volunteers. There's a wonderful café and art shop next door, and the museum is close to Truro train and bus stations. During the school holidays, expect a host of free activities - from museum trails and challenges to children's theatre and workshops.

Visitors are welcome to explore the museum all year round with an Annual Pass, while Under 18s and members enter for free.