National Maritime Museum Cornwall

21/10/2026

Not a fan of trick or treating in the dark and cold? Drop anchor with us in Falmouth for Halloween at the Museum.

☔Steer clear of the cold, wet streets and head for safe harbour on Sat 31 October. We're open after hours 4pm - 6.30pm for a ghoulishly good family evening, whatever the weather.

➡️https://nmmc.co.uk/whats-on/halloween/

🎟️ FREE with Museum annual admission. Pay once and sail in free for a year!

21/10/2026

For nearly 25 years, we have welcomed visitors to our home on Falmouth’s waterfront as an independent, award-winning museum and visitor attraction with an acclaimed exhibitions and events programme.

We’re looking for an inspirational, commercial and energetic leader with the vision and determination to guide the Museum.

Read the full job description and find out how to apply for the vacancy at nmmc.co.uk

Closing date: Monday 2 November 2026, 9am

21/10/2026

More than 600 men left Falmouth on 26 March 1942 for Operation Chariot. Now one of the Victoria Cross medals awarded for their bravery could come home to Falmouth, and go on display at National Maritime Museum Cornwall.

🎖️You can help us put it on display:
https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/beattie-victoria-cross-display

19/10/2026

In 1826, Thomas Cochrane – naval hero, political radical and inspiration for Patrick O’Brian’s Jack Aubrey – called at Falmouth aboard the Unicorn, bound for the Mediterranean and another characteristically audacious adventure...

Join Falmouth Book Festival and Peter Moore at Poly Falmouth on Saturday 24 October for 'A Dangerous Game' sharing the story of Thomas Cochrane.

NMMC Members receive a 25% discount for this event, using the supplied code, thanks to the festival.

Book here:

In 1826, Thomas Cochrane – naval hero, political radical and inspiration for Patrick O’Brian’s Jack Aubrey – called at Falmouth aboard the Unicorn, bound for the Mediterranean and another characteristically audacious adventure. Already a celebrated naval commander, disgraced politician and c...

17/10/2026

Did you know that our Members can get into some of the best attractions in Cornwall for FREE in November and January?

Explore Cornwall in Winter with a National Maritime Museum Cornwall Membership.

Museum Membership, a supporter level above our standard annual pass, grants you admission to seven outstanding partner attractions in November and January.

Become a member today to make the most of your benefits next month!

Support the Museum by becoming an Annual Member. Your membership donation will help us to preserve Cornwall's maritime heritage for future generations.

16/10/2026

Making plans for October half term? Rain doesn't scare us!

Time to brave the maritime monsters and find the nautical nasties.🐟

🖼️ Set the kids loose on our interactive Peculiar Portraits Trail
🎨 Get creative together at our Make & Take craft sessions, running every afternoon
📖 Settle in for a spooky storytelling show with Coppice Theatre (Mon 26 – Fri 30 Oct)

All half term and Halloween activities are included with Museum admission. Under 5s always visit FREE.

➡️https://nmmc.co.uk/whats-on/october-half-term/

16/10/2026

The power of surfing...

🌊 The SURF! exhibition has been inspiring Surf Science Students from Cornwall College University Centre: Newquay.

16/10/2026

We're so close to reaching the 50% milestone on the Crowdfunder campaign, thanks to all those who have donated, supported or shared so far. 🎖️

Every donation brings us a step closer to the purchase a new highly secure case, so we that we can put the medals of Captain Stephen Beattie on display in Falmouth.

https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/beattie-victoria-cross-display

15/10/2026

Today's photograph selected & researched by Bartlett Maritime Research Centre & Library Volunteer Lynne shows two Penzance fishing boats entering Whitby Harbour in the early 1900’s. They are PZ102 Annie Harvey and PZ486 Auld-Lang-Syne.

📄Discover more:

The extensive Newlyn Archive newlynarchive.org.uk is a wonderful resource and records the following detailed information:

"PZ102 Annie Harvey. 1st class lugger, 48’9”, 26 ton. Built Newlyn 1880 for Philip Harvey, Newlyn. Named after daughter of owner/skipper Philip Harvey. Class 2, decked lugger with fore and mizzen masts using nets and lines. Crew of six men and one boy. Registered in 1880. 1900 sold to John Reynolds of Newlyn. 1911 registration cancelled.

PZ486 Auld-Lang-Syne, 1st class lugger. 58’, 35 tons. Built in 1891at Porthleven for Richard Nicholls of Newlyn. First registered at Penzance on 21 December 1891, she worked out of Newlyn under the joint ownership of Richard and Edward Nicholls of Newlyn. 1916 26hp motor fitted. Was one of the boats that went to Whitby every year. 1920 Mary Nichollls became owner, skipper Richard Nicholls. Was a first-class mackerel driver, one of the renowned Mount’s Bay luggers and one of the largest of her class in the bay."

Up until the late nineteenth century, it was only the local boats at Whitby that fished for herring, or silver darlings as they are known, then the “Penzancemen” arrived from Penzance and Newlyn in Cornwall in their distinctive large two masted sailing luggers, travelling hundreds of miles up the coast following the huge shoals of herring into the North Sea. The Cornish and Scottish fishing teams brought 'Fisher Lasses' who travelled with the fleets to gut, salt and pack the herring barrels on the quayside.

Prior to the First World War several of the larger luggers like Annie Harvey and Auld-Lang-Syne engaged in the autumn North Sea herring fishery. Whitby was one of the ports favoured by Mount’s Bay boats engaged in this fishery.

This photograph is from the Arthur Kennedy Collection held by the National Maritime Museum Cornwall.