Cornwall at War Museum
Large volunteer-run military history museum on the former RAF Davidstow Moor airfield on the edge of Bodmin Moor, with 95 per cent of the displays under cover.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Cornwall at War Museum, officially the Davidstow Airfield and Cornwall at War Museum, stands on part of the former Second World War airfield RAF Davidstow Moor in North Cornwall. The airfield opened in October 1942 and was used for search and rescue and for patrols over the Channel and the Bay of Biscay until 1945.
The museum occupies a group of former airfield buildings and presents Cornwall's part in the Second World War together with material from the Falklands, Gulf and Afghanistan conflicts. Displays cover the armed forces, other airfields along the north Cornish coast, German military items, the Light Infantry and the Royal Observer Corps, as well as vehicles, machinery and weapons. An aircraft hangar houses larger exhibits, and letters, photographs and drawings illustrate everyday wartime life.
In July, August and September the museum also runs bus tours of the airfield. A second, separate museum, the Davidstow Moor RAF Memorial Museum, stands nearby on the same former airfield.
Highlights
- Cornwall in the Second World War
- Aircraft hangar with larger exhibits
- Vehicles, machinery and weapons
- Falklands, Gulf and Afghanistan displays
- Thursday airfield tours by crew bus (July to September)
Permanent exhibition
- Cornwall at War collections – Displays in many buildings on the former airfield covering Cornwall in the Second World War, later conflicts, military vehicles, weapons and an aircraft hangar.
- Founded
- 2008
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £7 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | £4free up to age 4 · Under-5s are free. |
| Families | £172 adults and 3 children up to 16 years. |
| Airfield bus tour including museum visit (adult) | £16Thursdays at 2pm, July to September; booking essential |
| Airfield bus tour including museum visit (child) | £13Thursdays at 2pm, July to September; booking essential |
Payment is made on arrival; no booking is needed for the museum itself.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The museum describes itself as wheelchair and disabled friendly. Dogs are welcome on a lead.
Kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 2 hrs |
|---|---|
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 4 |
| Family ticket | £17 · 2 adults and 3 children up to 16 years. |
A family ticket is available. The museum is largely under cover, which suits visits in poor weather.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
Spacious parking is available inside the red gates. The car park outside the gates belongs to someone else and should not be used.
The museum starts at the red gates; drive in before parking.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
A self-service NAAFI refreshment area offers hot and cold drinks and snacks, with seating and Second World War newspapers to read.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 2 hrs |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Airfield tours by crew bus run on Thursdays at 2pm from July to the end of September and take about two hours; booking is essential. A self-guided museum tour map is available on the website. Group and school visits are arranged by appointment. |
