Description
PK Porthcurno is a vibrant heritage attraction in West Cornwall that was once the heart of international telecommunications. If you are looking for the best things to do with kids in Porthcurno, this award-winning museum offers an interactive journey through the history of the internet, from Victorian telegraph cables to modern fibre optics. Families can explore secret World War II tunnels and a historic cable hut located right by one of the UK’s most beautiful beaches.
Visiting this world-class science and technology museum is accessible for all ages. Prices start from £7.50 for children under 18, while children under five years old can enter for free. The museum also offers various family ticket options and unique discounts for those arriving by bus or holding certain heritage memberships.
If you are looking for the best place for a day out with family and kids that combines history, science, and a bit of secret agent adventure, PK Porthcurno is a top choice. The site features the "Nerve Centre of Empire" education space, which is specifically designed to engage young people with hands-on activities. It is a fantastic destination for an educational day out that feels like a coastal exploration.
Features
- Paid
- Host birthday parties: No
Features
What makes PK Porthcurno unique?
The museum is unique because it is housed in a former high-security telegraph station that was once the busiest in the world. It provides a sensory play and learning environment through interactive exhibits that trace the evolution of Morse code to the pocket minicomputers we use today. Exploring the cliff-side bunkers and the Cable Hut gives children a real sense of adventure in a secret wartime setting.
- Underground Adventure: Hidden World War II tunnels provide a cool, cavernous space for kids to explore the "Nerve Centre of Empire".
- Global Connection: Children can learn how a tiny Cornish beach connected Great Britain to the rest of the world, including India and Australia.
- Science in Action: The museum features working telegraph equipment and exhibits on electricity, which offer a great educational day out for school-age children.
Top 5 Highlights
- World War II Tunnels: Dig into the cliff-side and explore the secret bunkers where wartime communications were protected from air raids.
- The Cable Hut: Visit the small building at the top of the beach where the first underwater cables came ashore from across the ocean.
- "Going Mobile" Exhibition: A fascinating look at the journey of mobile phones from giant "bricks" to the smartphones kids use today.
- Cable Ship Models: Intricate models that show how massive ships laid thousands of miles of cable across the bottom of the sea.
- Interactive Morse Code: A chance for children to try their hand at sending messages using the signals that once connected the globe.
PK Porthcurno features several key exhibits and specific historical items:
- TAT-1 Sample: A piece of the first transatlantic telephone cable from 1956.
- The Escape Stairs: A structural feature of the bunkers (please note, these are not wheelchair accessible).
- Axe from SMS Emden: A historical relic used to cut telegraph cables in 1914.
- The Clore Learning Space: A dedicated area for educational workshops and activities.
- Sir John Pender Display: Exhibits detailing the life of the "Cable King".
- LEGO Exhibit: A large-scale model depicting the museum and telegraph station.
- Cable Samples: A variety of cross-channel and deep-sea cable sections from 1851 onwards.
- The Radio Shack: A historic communication room on the site.
- The Wilshaw Building: Home to the global business archives of Cable & Wireless.
- The Nerve Centre of Empire: An interactive exhibit designed specifically for kids.
Beyond the Main Attraction: Just steps away from the museum is the world-renowned Minack Theatre, an open-air theatre carved into the granite cliff. The stunning Porthcurno Beach is also right next door, famous for its turquoise water and white sand.
22.46 miles
