Truro may not be brimming with museums, but the few on offer here are well worth adding to your list of things to do. The highlight of Truro's museum scene is without doubt the Royal Cornwall Museum, which is located in River Street and alongside the Courtney Library.Other popular museums in the Truro area include the National Trust run Cornish Mines and Engines close to the nearby village of Redruth, and also the Gerrans Parish Heritage Centre, on Truro's southerly outskirts. Here is some additional information about museums in the Truro area of Cornwall.
Royal Cornwall Museum and Courtney Library
Address: River Street, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 2SJ, England, UK
Tel: +44 (0)1872 272 205
One of the county's most historic and important museums, Truro's Royal Cornwall Museum is known for its excellent collections of Cornish history. Many important prehistoric archaeological treasures are on display here, together with exhibitions of European ceramics, ancient coins, minerals and artefacts from Egypt, including an actual Egyptian mummy. A range of superb paintings are displayed in the Fine and Decorative Arts Gallery and include a number of pieces from the Newlyn School of Painting. The Royal Institution of Cornwall currently manages both the museum and adjacent library.
Open: Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 17:00
Admission: free
Cornish Mines and Engines
Address: Pool, near Redruth, Cornwall, TR15 3NP, England, UK
Tel: +44 (0)1209 315 027
Managed by the National Trust, this impressive museum lies on the western side of Truro, in the Redruth area. The Cornish Mines and Engines are an important reminder of the county's past mining industry, when Cornwall was a major producer of copper, tin and even china clay. With enormous beam engines of up to 27 metres / 90 feet and an interesting Industrial Heritage Discovery Centre, complete with an exhibition about the social history and impact of mining, the attractions are close to the Trevithick Cottage, at Penponds.
Open: April to early November, Monday, Wednesday to Friday, Sunday - 11:00 to 17:00, early November to March - by arrangement
Admission: charge, discounts for senior citizens, children, families and groups, National Trust members are free
Gerrans Parish Heritage Centre
Address: The Old Forge, Tregassick Road, Gerrans, Cornwall, TR2 5EF, England, UK
Tel: +44 (0)1872 580 535
Located on the southern side of Truro, in the nearby village of Gerrans, this museum celebrates the rich history of the Gerrans parish. With information about local farming techniques over the years, the village's fishing industry and many old photographs, the Gerrans Parish Heritage Centre is an underrated attraction and worth considering if you are in the area.
Open: Monday to Saturday, April - 11:00 to 13:00, 14:00 to 16:00; May to July - 14:00 to 16:00; August - 11:00 to 13:00, 14:00 to 16:00; September and October - 14:00 to 16:00
Admission: free
