Visiting Cornwall's Museums This February Half Term
3rd February 2016
Children to entertain this February half term? Cornwall is home to some 60 plus museums of all shapes and sizes. Here’s a run down of our favourite Cornwall museums, plus what’s on at each over during the holiday period.
All images credit: Cornwall Museums Partnerships and Royal Cornwall Museum Truro
National Maritime Museum Cornwall
As the winner of Telegraph Family Friendly Museum Award 2014, there’s lots going on for kids alongside great exhibitions for adults. Every Thursday of every school holiday is ‘Thorsday’ – meet the Norse men and women from the Viking Voyagers exhibition and experience living history with Morvleydh, the Sea Wolves. This February half-term will also see a ‘startruck’ extravaganza, with 360-degree views from the planetarium (13-15 February, book and pay £3.50 on arrival), and interplanetary crafts and a constellation hunt around the museum (both 13-21 February).
Penlee House Gallery and Museum
Penlee is at the heart of West Cornwall’s history and is the only public gallery specialising in the world renowned Newlyn School of artists. Surrealist artist Ithell Colquhoun is in exhibition this spring and children can get involved too – using the surrealist technique of decalcomania combined with collage and monoprint to replicate Ithell’s surrealist seascapes.
Telegraph Museum Porthcurno
New exhibitions, new experiences and a new café were all part of a £2.5 million refurbishment for the museum built on the hub of international cable communications. Tying in with the Museum’s First World War exhibition, at half term kids can imagine life as an World War Two evacuee and go underground in mock-trenches, get frugal at a ‘make do & mend’ workshop (15 February), and dig for victory by growing their own vegetables.
Falmouth Art Gallery
Falmouth Art Gallery has a vibrant exhibition programme and lots going on for kids. This half term you’ll find a doodle table as well as:
• Frost Family Mobiles (18 February)
• Ben Nicholson Cut-outs (19 February)
• Still Life Painting (20 February)
Find out more online.
Royal Cornwall Museum (RCM)
Calling Poldark fans! The RCM has the unique position of holding Poldark author, Winston Graham’s original notebooks showing his internationally best-selling novels in long hand. For kids, there is an interactive space exhibition – try illusionary puzzles and games and tease your senses. Young and old alike will be amazed. No materials required, just bring your brain.
www.royalcornwallmuseum.org.uk
Wheal Martyn
Set within 26 acres in the heart of Cornwall Wheal Martyn offers a great day out for all the family, even the dog! Discover how Cornwall’s largest mining industry changed the world and the amazing uses of China Clay in our everyday lives today. This half term children can enjoy roilet roll butterfly and bug making.
Don’t forget to check our late availability for properties available over February half term, and our special offers page for any seasonal discounts.
Find your favourite beach location and spend the next February half term in Cornwall.
