Perranzabuloe Museum
Free, volunteer-run museum in Perranporth covering the parish’s history, from St Piran, mining and fishing to surfing, wartime and the Nobel explosives works.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Perranzabuloe Museum Trust was set up in 1986 to preserve the history of the parish of Perranzabuloe, which includes Perranporth and several nearby villages and hamlets. Its first display was shown in the Oddfellows Hall in Perranporth. In 2004 the Trust bought its present historic building, which allowed it to create a research area, larger storage and workrooms.
The museum is a registered charity run by volunteers. It stands at the end of Ponsmere Road, close to the shops and the beach, in a large Victorian building. The gallery is on the first floor, above the local library.
The collection of objects, maps and photographs follows the story of the parish from its earliest times and the arrival of St Piran through the growth of farming, fishing and mining to the development of tourism. Themed displays cover social history, farming, fishing, mining, the Nobels explosives works, local personalities, the railway, St Piran and archaeology, surfing, wartime, and wrecks and rescue. Each year the museum also shows special exhibitions on new acquisitions or local themes.
Highlights
- Displays on St Piran and local archaeology
- Mining, fishing and farming of the parish
- Nobels explosives works and wartime history
- Surfing and the growth of tourism in Perranporth
- Research room and free entry
Permanent exhibition
- Parish history galleries – Themed displays on social history, farming, fishing, mining, Nobels explosives, personalities, the railway, St Piran and archaeology, surfing, wartime, and wrecks and rescue.
- Founded
- 1986
- Operated by
- Perranzabuloe Museum Trust
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Entry is free. Guided talks and walks are free, with donations welcome.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The museum is on the first floor of a Victorian building and is reached by a staircase. A stair lift is available, and there is a wheelchair for use in the gallery.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
A family activity trolley with puzzles, quizzes and word searches is always available, and a quiz sheet is offered for younger visitors. Buggy parking is limited and not secured.
Getting there & parking
By car
Free parking
There is limited free parking right outside the museum. Pay and display car parks are a few minutes’ walk away.
The museum is in central Perranporth in the former Oddfellows Hall at the end of Ponsmere Road, close to the shops and the beach. The local library is on the ground floor.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
Books about the parish can be bought online from the museum.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Volunteers give free talks and guided walks on topics such as the Victorians, Poldark, old Perranporth, mining, fishing and St Piran, arranged in advance. Group visits must also be booked in advance, and large groups may be split. Schools can book free visits at any time of year, with a volunteer guide on request, and handling boxes can be loaned to schools. There is no space for school lunches. Well-behaved dogs on leads are allowed at the museum’s discretion. |
