Penzance Museums

(Penzance, Cornwall, England, UK)

There are several noteworthy cultural attractions worth visiting in the Penzance area, although sadly the Pilchards Works Museum in the nearby village of Newlyn has now closed. Amongst the most visited museums in the Penzance area is the Porthcurno Telegraph Museum, which is something of a must and should be added to everyone's itinerary.

Within the town itself is the interesting Penlee House Gallery and Museum, which is located on Morrab Road, close to the library and the Richmond Lodge Guest House, and just round the corner from the Tennis Club. Penlee House has recently achieved 'Gold' in the small visitor attraction category of the South West Tourism Excellence Awards. Its Archaeology Gallery boasts some interesting artefacts from the Penwith peninsula area and beyond, while its sheltered Orangery Cafe comes with a sunny terrace overlooking the landscaped grounds.

Porthcurno Telegraph Museum

Address: Eastern House, Porthcurno, Cornwall, TR19 6JX, England, UK
Tel: +44 (0)1736 810 966
The award-winning Porthcurno Telegraph Museum is surrounded by spacious landscaped grounds, in the charming village of Porthcurno, part of the St. Levan parish. Close to Penzance, the museum celebrates the village's rich history and includes a range of Victorian artefacts relating to its past telegraph communications technology, together with underground tunnels and secret escape routes.

Surprisingly, this small village was one of the world's most prominent communications centres in the 1870s and this fact is celebrated here. Also nearby and worth a visit is the Porthcurno Beach and the cliff-top Minack Theatre.
Open hours: April to October, daily - 10:00 to 17:00; November to March, Sunday, Monday and school holidays - 10:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts for seniors, families and children