Welcome
Celebrating the sea, boats and Cornwall, this multi award winning visitor attraction not only has 15 galleries beautifully describing the maritime past, present and future of this island nation but also offers a number of stunning exhibitions, a quality cafe and shop.
Built in 2002, this modern building has been designed with access in mind. There are 5 levels in the museum, all of which are accessible by lift or ramp. You should allow at least 1.5 hours for your visit. Large print and Braille guides are available free of charge from reception. A small number of wheelchairs are available for loan free of charge, no booking necessary.
A Heritage Ability partner site.
Level access
There is level access from the main entrance to:
WaterfrontThe HoldThe LibraryFlotilla/Main HallAdmissions deskInformation deskLibrary Accessible ToiletGift ShopHearing
Visual
General
Getting here
Travel by public transport
There are two close bus stops, one is Maritime Museum (Marine Crescent) serviced by the OTS Falmouth Hopper, Number 367. The second is Grove Place, serviced by the OTS Falmouth Hopper Number 366A. Both buses serve the town centre on a 20 minute loop, linking the town and coast to the main bus station on The Moor. Both stops are a level access walk to the museum, with Marine Crescent having two roads to cross.
Falmouth main bus station is situated on The Moor and connects Falmouth to all the local towns and villages through First Kernow Group (0345 602 0121).
Falmouth Town train station is operated by First Great Western and is a branch line from Truro Station. It is half a mile from the museum with a long hill leading down from the station.
Travel by taxi
Parking
The car park is approximately 150 metres from the entrance to the museum. There is a permanent ramp leading from the car park to Events Square which is 2 metres wide, followed by a level access path accross the square to the museum.
The car park has camera enforcement in operation. It is a short stay car park up to 4 hours - Blue Badge holders also need to pay but are eligible for an extra hour of parking free of charge (up to 5 hours), please see the information boards in the car park for instructions on this. You can pay by coins, phone or RinGo app (site number 9181). You cannot pre-book parking, all parking is pay on arrival.
There is also a long stay car park at Falmouth Town train station (The Dell). This is 0.2 miles from the museum, there is a long hill coming down from the car park to the museum.
Arrival
Path to main entrance
Main entrance
The museum is situated at the end of Events Square backing on to the sea. There is a level access walk across the paved square to the automatic doors into the building all on the level.
Getting around inside
Lift
Front of House lift
Tower Lift
Ticket/ information desk
Admissions desk
The admission desk is across a clear, wide floor from the main entrance, past the entrance to the gift shop. There are low tills to the left as you approach the desk. There is a hearing aid loop operational at the admissions desk.
Ticket/ information desk
Information desk
There is a hearing aid loop operational at the information desk.
Things to See and Do
Waterfront
The Waterfront is an area where you can sail radio control yachts. There is a low level accessible control unit and a ramp to the lower area.
The Hold
The Hold is a temporary exhibition space and houses our main exhibitions. There are ramps between two levels and films with subtitles. Some of the light is low level to prevent deterioration of artefacts. There is no coloured lighting in the museum.
The Library
There is a staffed library with its own accessible toilet.
Flotilla/Main Hall
The Main Hall holds some temporary exhibits and the Flotilla is accessible through the arial ramps
Public toilet
First floor accessible toilet
Shared space with the baby changing, this toilet is located at the front of the building on the first floor accessible only by the Front of House lift. The toilet has a large handle flush on the cystern and emergency pull cords for immediate attention. Each toilet has a low level sink with a mixer tap and low level electric hand driers.
Public toilet
Second floor accessible toilet
This toilet is on the 2nd floor, it is a shared facility with a baby changer unit. It is a level walk from the cafe (also situated on the second floor) and accessible by the Front of House lift and ramps throughout the building. This toilet also benefits from an ADi ROOMMATE audio facility describing the layout of the room. The toilets have a large handle flush on the cystern and emergency pull cords for immediate attention. Each toilet has a low level sink with a mixer tap and low level electric hand driers.
Public toilet
Library Accessible Toilet
The toilet has a large handle flush on the cystern and emergency pull cords for immediate attention. Each toilet has a low level sink with a mixer tap and low level electric hand driers. There is a low level light switch to the right as you enter the toilet.
Shop
Gift Shop
The gift shop is situated at the main entrance to the museum. It is on the same level as the entrance doors with no ramps or lifts between. The gift shop can be entered without purchasing an admissions ticket for the museum. There is a hearing aid loop operational in the gift shop.
Place to eat and drink
Waterside Cafe
The cafe has a low counter and the tables are accessible for wheelchair users. There is a low counter when choosing and paying. Table service is available.
Getting around outside
Customer care support
There are ramps which connect most of the galleries and lift access to all galleries. Also, there are benches throughout the building offering seats and wall maps showing all accessible routes throughout the museum. We have a selection of large print and easy read guide, with large print available on every gallery. We also have ear defenders available to borrow.
Emergency evacuation procedures
There are wide fire escape doors. In the event of a fire there are "safe zones" on the upper levels which are enclosed by automatic fire doors. The museum volunteers will organise the evacuation and give all the necessary guidance.
Customer care support
We have self propelled and transport wheelchairs.