Museum of Cornish Life

Museum of Cornish Life is a local museum in Helston, a former market town in Cornwall, south-west England. It sits immediately behind Helston Guildhall in the centre of town, which makes it an easy stop on a walk around the area.

What kind of museum is it?

The museum focuses on everyday life and on the social and industrial history of the Lizard Peninsula and the Helston area. Its displays show how people worked and lived in this corner of Cornwall, from mining and fishing to farming and home life. Estimates put the collection at as many as 40,000 individual items.

Where did the collection come from?

The collection began in the 1930s, started by the Helston branch of the Old Cornwall Society, a group devoted to preserving Cornish heritage. It was catalogued in 1937 under Helston Borough Council. The Second World War delayed plans, and in 1946 the collection moved into the old market buildings. The museum opened in 1949.

What is the building?

The museum occupies the former Butter and Egg Market, designed in 1837 as the town's Market House. Over time it expanded into the old meat market, and in 1999 into the adjoining Drill Hall. A visit therefore takes place inside buildings that are themselves part of the town's story.

What can you see?

• Neolithic, Bronze Age and Romano-British archaeology
• the lifesaving inventions of Henry Trengrouse
• material connected with Flora Day, the town's famous celebration
• a recreated 1950s kitchen
• a five-ton cider press
• objects from the working life of Cornish mines, farms and the sea

In 2005 the museum also took on the collections of Camborne Museum, which had been housed in the Camborne Free Library building since 1913. This broadens the picture of Cornish industry and local community life on show.

Who runs it?

For many years the museum was run by Cornwall Council. In August 2013 South Kerrier Heritage Trust took over its management.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the museum? In central Helston, directly behind Helston Guildhall. The coordinates are roughly 50.1014 N, 5.2743 W.

Is admission charged? According to ArtUK, entry is free. Check the museum's own website before you go, as some sources mention that a time slot may need to be booked.

Who is it for? Anyone interested in Cornish history, mining, fishing and the daily life of earlier residents, as well as families who want to combine a museum visit with time in the town.

How long does a visit take? The collection is large and spread across several former market halls, so allow at least an hour or two.

What is Flora Day? It is Helston's traditional town celebration, and souvenirs and material from it form part of the museum's displays.