During our stay at St Mawes Retreats in early January we took the ferry across the estuary from St Mawes to Falmouth and visited the National Maritime Museum Cornwall.
The museum is a 10/15 minute walk from the ferry so it’s the perfect way to get from St Mawes to Falmouth, my kids even thought it felt like a fairground ride itself!
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The museum itself was perfect for kids, from the little huts outside that they decided they could play pretend houses in front of the museum..
to the signs within the museum that said ‘Climb Aboard’ rather than ‘Don’t touch!’ It was interactive throughout and a perfect place to while away a morning with 3 five year olds and a 2 year old who thinks she is 5! All for only £5 per child too.
So according to the three five year olds here’s what you shouldn’t miss!
1. Jet Ski
You can climb on it, pretend to drive it, you can pretend to rescue people in the sea. You can it seems spend at least an hour here!
2. Lifeboat and Liferaft
3. Looking Out to Sea Underwater
The tower goes down two levels and you can see (not much) but a little of what’s going on under the water.
4. Medal Ceremony Being Olympic Champions
This kept them busy for a good twenty minutes being presented with medals and then presenting each other!
5. Treasure Map
The nav station is full of interactive exhibits that give you an insight into the art of navigation and meteorology
- Find treasure on a map and follow the clues.
6. Wobbly Marble Table
- Try and steer the marble from one end of Cornwall to the other.
7. Tiller
- Try your hand at steering a boat with a tiller through a narrow channel.
8. Boats on the Water
For just £1 for a token you can sail a boat on the water and try and guide it through the wind.
9. Roller Boats
Simply put them on at one end and watch them roll!
10. Lunch at the Top of the Observation Tower!
Probably not strictly a place to eat lunch but when kids are hungry they are hungry and it was too cold to head outside so we ate a sandwich whilst watching the world go by!
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Karen Beddow founded Mini Travellers in 2014 while doing what she loves most...going on holiday!
Mini Travellers is for parents looking for holiday ideas, destination reviews, days out and things to do with the kids. We also have family travel tips, activity ideas and all other things family holiday related. Take a look at some of our latest reviews for holidays and day trips in the UK.
Who’d have thought that a maritime museum would be interesting for 5yr olds? It looks like you had a fun time though! The ferry trip sounded exciting too.
WE loved this place too! My boys had such fun clambering over the lifeboats and going in the helicopter! One of our favourite places.