Bodmin Keep: Cornwall's Army Museum

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Bodmin Keep: Cornwall's Army Museum Bodmin Keep – Cornwall's Army Museum brings Cornwall's rich military history to life. Bodmin Keep is a friendly and fun museum in Bodmin, Cornwall.
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Explore 12,000 artefacts spanning 300+ years, and discover the stories of ordinary men and women living through extraordinary times. We hold all kinds of events and activities on selected dates all year round, and welcome all visitors, including groups, children, and even well behaved dogs! We are recognised as probably the finest Military Museum in the South West of England. As well as seeing our collections, come and explore our home, Bodmin Keep, which is a Grade II listed building, constructed at the time of the Napoleonic threats. Bodmin Keep was the home of Cornwall's Military life for over 150 years, and still has original features such as the great stone staircases and original fireplaces. You can even experience our Cold-War era military police cell! Covering a period between 1702 until 2007, the museum's displays tell the stories of the Cornwall Volunteers and Volunteer Militia, the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry (DCLI), and we are extremely proud and honoured to be home to the National Collection of the Light Infantry (LI). A fine collection of medals, weapons, uniforms, paintings and artefacts (as well as a few surprises in the collection!) are clearly displayed and will appeal to all age groups, enhancing and bringing to life much of the country’s history covered in the National Curriculum. The museum has an extensive library and archive and a team of research volunteers who are proud to help over 300 families per year discover their military family history. Bodmin Keep is located on Lostwithiel Road, 100 yds from the Bodmin and Wenford Railway which was built to service the Barracks. ADMISSION:
Admission is great value at £9 Adult, £5 Child (under 5 years FREE) and well-behaved dogs are also welcome. Once you have paid you can return free for a year too! OPENING TIMES:
Summer Opening (April 4th – October 30th) Open: Monday – Saturday 10am – 5pm (Last entry 4pm)
Winter Opening (November 1st – April 1st) Open@ Tuesday – Saturday 10am – 5pm (Last entry 4pm)

16/10/2026

The Scimitar Mk 2 has arrived!

15/10/2026

Next week marks the arrival of the Scimitar CVR(T) from The Tank Museum as part of our Tank Take-Over this half-term! While you’re here, take the controls of one of our fleet of remote-controlled tanks on our specially built obstacle course! 🎮 Info and tickets here:
https://bodminkeep.org.uk/whats-on/events

🚨 BOOK NOW for four exclusive military history talks at Bodmin Keep! 🚨As part of our upcoming Tank Take-Over event this ...
12/10/2026

🚨 BOOK NOW for four exclusive military history talks at Bodmin Keep! 🚨

As part of our upcoming Tank Take-Over event this October half-term, we are hosting an incredible line-up of expert talks and veteran Q&A panels. Space is limited, so don't miss your chance to secure a seat! 🎟️👇

🔥 Saturday 24th October
🔹 11am – Life Behind Armour: Q&A panel featuring combat veterans Dickie Trant and author Merlin Hanbury-Tenison sharing real-life experiences serving in armoured vehicles.
https://shop.beyonk.com/0vpn5fue/experiences/ex_6diyvgke81lfju64
🔹 2pm – The History of the Tank: Joe Raine, Vehicle Curator at The Tank Museum, traces the evolution of tanks from WWI to modern battlefields.
https://shop.beyonk.com/0vpn5fue/experiences/ex_m37vy703d6taypax

🔥 Saturday 31st October
🔹 11am – Restoring the Ferret Scout Car: Bodmin Keep’s Nigel James reveals the journey of bringing our own Ferret back to life.
https://shop.beyonk.com/0vpn5fue/experiences/ex_1ridkdy4c1wndj3z
🔹 2pm – Vehicle Restoration at The Tank Museum: Duncan Masters, Workshop Manager at The Tank Museum, takes you behind the scenes of preserving historic military vehicles.
https://shop.beyonk.com/0vpn5fue/experiences/ex_cqxfixx05hxwi7vz

📍 Where: In the events tent in the courtyard at Bodmin Keep – Cornwall's Army Museum
🎟️ Tickets: £6 per talk (Includes time to get up close with the guest Scimitar CVR(T) on loan from The Tank Museum!)

👉 For all our events over Tank Half-Term visit our website:
https://bodminkeep.org.uk/whats-on/events

Help us shape the future of Cornwall’s Army Museum. We would love to hear your views to inform our planning for the fut...
29/09/2026

Help us shape the future of Cornwall’s Army Museum.

We would love to hear your views to inform our planning for the future museum so we can make Cornwall’s Army Museum the best it can be and have put together a short survey, available at the link in the comments (or scan the QR code).

The survey will take 6 minutes to complete online. All participants will be entered into a prize draw to win a Bodmin Keep tea towel and mug, so Christmas will be coming early to one lucky person!

Thank you very much for taking the time to let us know your views.

This October at Bodmin Keep: Cornwall’s Army Museum, we are going into full tank mode with a real Scimitar tank on loan ...
29/09/2026

This October at Bodmin Keep: Cornwall’s Army Museum, we are going into full tank mode with a real Scimitar tank on loan from the incredible Tank Museum at Bovington.

Across the autumn half-term, we are running events for all ages to help you learn more about the Scimitar, other tanks and our own Ferret Scout Car. These include Tank Talks, Tank Tours and creative activities. We look forward to showing you the Scimitar!

View all our events and book tickets at the link in the comments.

Discover the finest Military Museum in the South West of England at “The Keep” in Bodmin, Cornwall. Home of the DCLI & National Light Infantry Collection.

Thank you to all the local businesses that have donated fantastic prizes for tonight's prize bingo at the Pearl and Traw...
28/09/2026

Thank you to all the local businesses that have donated fantastic prizes for tonight's prize bingo at the Pearl and Trawl, Wadebridge at 7.30pm.

Be there and make it a full house!

Join us this Monday at The Pearl & Trawl in Wadebridge for an exciting evening of Bingo in support of Bodmin Keep – Corn...
25/09/2026

Join us this Monday at The Pearl & Trawl in Wadebridge for an exciting evening of Bingo in support of Bodmin Keep – Cornwall’s Army Museum!

Bring your friends, enjoy a fantastic pub night out, and help us raise vital funds to preserve Cornwall’s rich military history.

📅 When: Monday 28th September
📍 Where: The Pearl & Trawl, Wadebridge
🏆 Great prizes, fun, and community spirit guaranteed!

Mark your calendars, tag your bingo buddies below, and let’s make it a full house! We can’t wait to see you there. 🙌

Head down to the Pearl and Trawl in Wadebridge on Monday 28 September for a Charity Bingo raising funds for Bodmin Keep....
19/09/2026

Head down to the Pearl and Trawl in Wadebridge on Monday 28 September for a Charity Bingo raising funds for Bodmin Keep. It promises to be a fun filled evening with some great prizes on offer. We hope to see you there!

📍 Heritage Open Day Tomorrow at Bodmin Keep!Join us tomorrow from 10:00 AM as we open our doors for Heritage Open Day!🚶‍...
18/09/2026

📍 Heritage Open Day Tomorrow at Bodmin Keep!

Join us tomorrow from 10:00 AM as we open our doors for Heritage Open Day!

🚶‍♂️ 11:00 AM – Guided Walking Tour (departs directly from the Keep)
🏛️ All Day – Courtyard Pop-Up Exhibitions exploring Military Communications and Conservation in Museums.

Explore our First World War Trench, step inside the Anderson Shelter, inspect the Ferret Scout Car, and test your aim on our digital shooting range.

Free entry, interactive history, and fun for all ages. We can't wait to see you there!

☕ Refuel – Delicious drinks and snacks provided by Isabelle's Coffee!

📍 Find us at: The Keep, Bodmin, PL31 1EG

Join our Curator at Jubilee Hall, Mount for a talk to the Warleggan History Group on the History of Bodmin Keep: Cornwal...
16/09/2026

Join our Curator at Jubilee Hall, Mount for a talk to the Warleggan History Group on the History of Bodmin Keep: Cornwall's Army Museum. The talk looks at the development of museum's collection of artefacts and archival materials since it's establishment in 1920.

All welcome, just £2 per person!

More info here: https://warleggan.net/history-club/

Address

The Keep, Castle Canyke Road
Bodmin
PL311EG

Opening Hours

Monday Closed
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

01208 72810

Website

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