St Agnes Museum

About the museum

St Agnes Museum tells the story of the parish of St Agnes on the north Cornish coast, including the villages of Mount Hawke, Porthtowan, Mithian, Trevellas and Blackwater. It is run by a trust with no paid staff and relies on volunteers and on Friends who support it with membership. The museum stands on Penwinnick Road in a Grade II listed pair of late 19th-century mortuary chapels, built in a cemetery and apparently meant for Church of England and Nonconformist burials.

The collection of around 6,500 items reflects the area's history. St Agnes was once a busy centre of tin and copper mining, and the museum shows mining tools, photographs and films. A detailed model of the harbour that once stood at Trevaunance Cove, the Lady Agnes figurehead and the first life-saving reel, invented by a local man, illustrate the maritime past. Natural history and minerals, farming, folklore, religion, archaeology and Victorian domestic life are also covered.

The museum is also known for its art. It owns a self-portrait by John Opie, the painter born in the parish and nicknamed the Cornish Wonder, and a portrait by his relative Edward Opie, bought with help from several funds. A family history library and a computer database in the study corner help visitors research local families and browse the collection. The museum is open from April to October and admission is free.

Highlights

• Model of the lost harbour at Trevaunance Cove
• Lady Agnes figurehead
• Portraits by John and Edward Opie
• Mining displays and local mineral specimens
• Leatherback turtle and sea-life display
• Family history library

Permanent exhibitions

• Mining – St Agnes was once a centre of tin and copper mining; displays show the tools of the trade, photographs and films, with mineral specimens from local mines.
• Maritime history – A model of the old harbour at Trevaunance Cove, the Lady Agnes figurehead and the first life-saving reel, with information on the coastguard and the lifeboat service.
• Opie collection – Portraits by John and Edward Opie and objects linked to the painter John Opie, who was born in the parish.

Founded

1985

Operated by

St Agnes Museum Trust

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission is free. Friends and members can join through the online shop.

Accessibility

• Partially 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

Wheelchair ramps are available and the ground floor is fully accessible. The first floor can be seen as a virtual tour on the computer in the study corner. Only assistance and guide dogs can be admitted. Large print guides are available from the stewards.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations

A free Cuckoo Hunt trail for ages 7 to 11 takes children round the museum, with badges for those who finish. Younger visitors aged 3 to 7 can listen to a story about a leatherback turtle and explore a treasure chest of sea-creature puppets, jigsaws and books.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop with books and gifts, including small items for children; there is also an online shop.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit