Bodmin Town Museum

THE MUSEUM IS CURRENTLY CLOSED DUE TO COVID REGULATIONS Family-friendly local history museum in the heart of Bodmin, with artefacts, photographs and displays telling stories of life in the town. We still have the display and leaflet about the JSSL the Joint Services School for Linguists which was in Bodmin from 1951 - 1956 as this has interested many people who did not know this was in Bodmin during that time.

We have a leaflet about the Gilbert Memorial on the Beacon, and a leaflet about VE day. For those interested in our Cornish Kitchen - the pasties are still not quite ready but the cook says they will be ready 'drekly'!

The Belling Lantern Clock

Cornwall in the 18th and 19th centuries possessed many clockmakers. Indeed, the 1831 Census records 83 watch and clockmakers at work in the county. Amongst these, one of the most well known, was Belling of Bodmin. The Bellings worked between 1706 and 1850.
The Blacksmith

In 1831 there were sixteen blacksmiths, four wheelwrights and a farrier in the borough. The skills of the blacksmith often included those of the wheelwright and the farrier. In the blacksmith's shop a fire was kept burning in the hearth by the skillful use of bellows. With the coming of the car, the blacksmith turned his hand to engines instead of horses eventually becoming the garage mechanic.
World War I Commemorative Exhibition

Major Heritage Lottery funded WWI exhibition featuring Private James Henry Finn VC, his medals and story. Also other stories about local families involved in WWI. A periscope feature shows visitors what a soldier would have seen and heard in the trenches.

Admission & prices

ADMISSION FREE

MUSEUM OPENING POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
DUE TO COVID-19

Wheelchair access possible but not easy so please email or phone before your visit to check if there is help available if you need it.

Donations are greatly appreciated.

Find us

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The Museum is situated on Mount Folly on the lower ground floor of The Capitol Cinema.

There are two public paying car parks nearby: one behind the Cinema and another 50 metres away in Priory Park.

Museum news

View all news articles

Remembering seven local Boy Scouts in 1920

On 27th July 1920, two candlesticks were dedicated and placed in the Sanctuary of St Petroc’s Parish Church, Bodmin and a service was held to commemorate the seven Boy Scouts who had enlisted to serve in WWI......

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VE Day

What happened in Bodmin on VE Day ? May 8th 1945, Bodmin, Cornwall - VE day – notes from the Guardian of May 10th 1945: “The County Town’s Celebrations” “Thousands take part” “......

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Information

There are cafes, pubs and parking nearby. Take the steps from Mount Folly to reach the main shopping street, Fore Street, and the pretty pedestrianized Honey Street.

Wheelchair access possible but not easy so please phone to check before your visit

New low speed road layouts for pedestrians, cyclists and cars.

Bodmin Town Museum is run entirely by volunteers.

Admission is free, but donations to Museum funds are always welcome.

Bodmin Town Museum
Mount Folly
Bodmin
Cornwall
PL31 2DB

E: info@bodmintownmuseum.plus.com