Did you know there are a few museums near to Newquay that you can visit, some even free? 
There are museums in Newquay, but if you’ve got a car and fancy a small drive out, then these are worth knowing about. Maybe you’ll spend the whole day visiting the museums in Newquay and those close by, or perhaps store the knowledge and visit them when you’re next close by!
Perranzabuloe Museum at Perranporth
You’ll find this small Folk Museum at Perranporth in a lane between the main road through Perranporth and Perranporth Beach. The museum is housed in and owns the Oddfellows Hall, built in 1871 – Oddfellows were professional tradesmen who didn’t have their own professional body to join.
There’s no on-site parking to speak of, although they do have a few parking spaces. There was a train between Newquay and Perranporth from 1906 until the Beeching cuts in the 1960s, now you can drive or catch the bus – or visit this museum at the end of a coastal hike or cycle ride from Newquay. There’s plenty more to do in Perranporth while you’re there.
Perranzabuloe is the name of the parish that Perranporth is part of. The museum at Perranporth describes itself thus: “Perranzabuloe Museum offers an insight into the social and industrial past of Perranporth and the surrounding villages, with displays of mining, fishing, costume, farming, surfing. There’s also a replica of a Cornish Kitchen. ”
- Address: Oddfellows Hall, Ponsmere Road, Perranporth, Cornwall, TR6 0BW
- Entry Prices: FREE
- Opening Hours: Open from Easter to October Mon-Fri 10.30-16.30,
Saturdays 11.00-13.00
St Agnes Museum
The museum at St Agnes is housed in the middle of St Agnes, in the old St Agnes Institute building and is entirely staffed by volunteers. 
They describe themselves as “An award-winning volunteer-run Museum and Interpretative Centre, comprising information, artefacts and curios relating to the Parish of St. Agnes in Cornwall, UK.” – there are regular exhibitions at the museum. They have over 6500 items on display, many of which can be viewed on a computer in the study corner. For family history researchers, there is a list of the graves in St Agnes graveyard, with extensive family history records available for research in the new study corner both as hard copy and on the computer database.
- Address: St Agnes Museum, Penwinnick Road, St Agnes, Cornwall TR5 0PA
- Entry Prices: Free entry.
- Opening Hours: Seasonal from Good Friday to the end of October, Mon-Sun, 10:30-17:00
Royal Cornwall Museum, Truro
The Royal Cornwall Museum in Truro is the largest museum in the country of Cornwall. It holds not only thousands of local and historical documents, archives, photographs and artifacts, but also the county’s largest and finest art collection. 
There are always exhibitions on display and other activities, such as “Make it Workshops”, Family Trails and Hands on Exhibits.
- Address: 25 River Street, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 2SJ
- Entry Prices: £5.50 for a day pass; under 16s free. The entry fee of £5.50 includes a voluntary £1 donation, which you can decline. Become a Friend of the Museum, for £10 and you gain year-long free entry.
- Opening Hours: Monday–Saturday 10:00–16:45, Last admission 16:00. They are open on Sundays during August. The museum is open on Bank Holidays.
Padstow Museum, Padstow
Staffed by volunteers, this museum is a local museum of Padstow – and includes information and exhibits related to Matthew Quintrell, of Mutiny on the HMS Bounty fame.
- Address: The Institute, Market Place, Padstow, PL28 8AH.
- Entry Prices: Free Entry
- Opening Hours: Seasonal, from Easter each year to late summer.
Website: Padstow Museum
