Barge House

The Barge House sits just outside Crowlas, a proper working museum that gives you a genuine feel for how people actually lived on Cornwall's waterways. It's housed in an actual barge - the kind that ferried cargo and passengers along the rivers before the railways made them redundant. You walk through cramped living quarters, a tiny galley, and storage holds that really drive home how uncomfortable those voyages must have been.

It appeals most to history buffs and anyone with a soft spot for maritime heritage. Kids get a kick out of clambering about a real vessel, though the novelty wears off after forty minutes or so if they're not already interested in boats. The interactive elements are basic - this isn't a flashy visitor attraction - but that's rather the point. You're getting an unvarnished look at transport history, not a theme park experience.

Allow an hour, maybe ninety minutes if you're reading all the information panels. Check opening hours before you go - accessibility can be seasonal. Entry details weren't available at time of writing, so ring ahead.

It pairs well with the nearby holiday parks if you're basing yourself in the area. St. Ives Holiday Village is only a few miles away and gives you access to that stretch of coast, while the barge adds a different dimension to a week focused on Cornish seaside life. Worth factoring in on a rainy afternoon rather than planning your week around it.