The sea has shaped the world, geographically, historically and economically. The National Maritime Museum Cornwall in Falmouth sets out to chart man’s use of the sea throughout the ages.
The museum is set in a newly built area of Falmouth town centre and there is both long and short stay parking close by. The buildings are clad in wood which has been left in a natural finish and helps to create a very nautical feel to the whole area. The museum takes pride of place on one side of a pedestrian square complete with high class shops and coffee houses.
If you are taking children along then be sure to ask for details of any special talks or activities they can take part in. The first exhibit inside the museum is a tribute to the history of boats of all types. The exhibit is audio visual affair, combining, physical boats and models with looping archive footage projected onto huge screens whilst a narrator or interviewee tells a nautical tale.
Out of the first exhibit, you emerge from the dark into the huge multi floor exhibition space that is at the centre of the museum. Here the exhibits and ideas are excellently shown and explained, with interactive models, computer driven interactive simulations and well laid out texts.
Some sample subjects include, development of the Mirror dingy, history of the oldest rowing club, currents, drag and stability and how it is affected by boat design, use of fibreglass and carbon fibre construction materials, sailing in art, marine life to name but a few. | 
