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Daphne du Maurier Literary Centre
The inspiration and home of many a well-known writer, Fowey honours its artists with an exhibition displaying its literary heritage. Although Daphne du Maurier actually grew up in London, she made frequent visits to Cornwall in her childhood, wrote and lived in Fowey. A celebrated writer, Daphne du Maurier inspired Alfred Hitchcock to convert two of her works "Rebecca" and "The Birds" into films while her nostalgic work, "Vanishing Cornwall" led her to become one of the area's best loved writers. The Daphne du Maurier Literary Centre celebrates Dame Daphne in a short video of her life and work and exhibits displays featuring how the historic Port of Fowey inspired the author's works. The centre includes displays on other writers inspired by Fowey such as Sir Arthur Quiller Couch, Kenneth Grahame and Leo Walmsley. On your visit, you'll also be able to see a short video on the Port of Fowey and a promotional film about Fowey in the 20th century.
Fowey Museum
Housed in the 15th century Fowey Town Hall, the Fowey Museum details the exciting history of this port town. Always intimately connected to the sea, Fowey's past is riddled with raids by the French and Spanish and illustrious visitors such as Sir Francis Drake, Captain Cook and Sir Walter Raleigh. On display you'll see maritime and medieval artefacts, ship models, civic regalia as well as paintings and old photographs depicting the life and times of Fowey's sailors, fishermen and ferrymen in bygone years. The Fowey Museum is open on weekdays between Easter and September from 10am to 5pm.
Mevagissey Museum
Lying at the end of the north quay, the Mevagissey Museum is a surprisingly interesting little museum. The exhibits are displayed in an old boat-building shed which was once to build and repair smugglers' boats. You'll see old tools used in the trade such as a lathe as well as out-moded fishing gear. Life in the 19th and 20th century was not easy for locals at Mevagissey and a good collection of old photographs reveals the duress that villagers experienced here. Amongst a broad range of artefacts you'll also find a display dedicated to Andrew Pears. A barber from Mevagissey, Andrew Pears went to London to seek his fortune. As he plied his trade in the big city, he noted that disgruntled punters complained of the negative effects of harsh, drying soaps. After a little experimentation, Pears Soap, a gentle formula suited to the delicate complexions of the gentry was born. On your tour, you'll also see a Cider Press, manacles, a Cornish Kitchen, Bronze Age artefacts and a Mevagissey Pound note.
Lostwithiel Museum
The Lostwithiel Museum is housed over three floors in the old town jail. On your tour, you'll see exhibits reflecting some 200 years of life in Lostwithiel and an interesting selection of photographs. However, pride of place goes to the original 18th century fire engine. Also on display you'll see agricultural and domestic tools and other Lostwithiel artefacts.
Wheal Martyn China Clay Country Park
Located on the outskirts of St. Austell, the Wheal Martyn China Clay Country Park is a mining and heritage museum. Housed in historic buildings with old machinery, the site is a designated Scheduled Ancient Monument. Amongst the extensive collections relating to china clay mining and the Cornwall community, you'll browse through machinery, tools, paintings, 2,000 photographs, film archives, maps and other related artefacts. Think your kids will be bored by this attraction? Not a chance! They'll love the Children's Adventure Trail laid out as a commando style assault course. If they've got enough energy reserves you can follow this up with the Historical Trail which will take you through the old clay works. Here you'll see a 35foot working waterwheel (the largest in Cornwall), slurry pump, workers crib hut and pan kiln.
Tunnels Through Time
An excellent museum museum featuring Cornwall's colourful history, Tunnels Through Time is more than a diversion for a wet day. A land unto itself with its own tongue, Cornwall is also rich in legend. Connected to King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, Cornwall bred its own myths and legends. On your tour, you'll meet King Arthur, Merlin, smugglers, pirates and Morvenna, a mermaid that is capable of granting you your every wish. If you dare, visit the dungeons (not recommended for the squeamish).