Lostwithiel Museum

The museum sits in the heart of Lostwithiel, a proper Cornish market town that most visitors bypass on their way to the coast. It's a small, volunteer-run affair that tells the story of this place and the surrounding area - the sort of museum where locals actually work and know what they're talking about. You'll find everything from medieval artifacts to Victorian-era bits, with a strong focus on Lostwithiel's past as a tin-streaming center and its importance during the English Civil War. The exhibits are straightforward rather than flashy, which suits the building itself.

Who'll get the most from it? History buffs and anyone researching Cornish ancestry will find it worthwhile. Kids under ten might fidget after twenty minutes unless they're genuinely into old objects - it's not interactive or particularly engaging for that age group. Allow 45 minutes to an hour to see everything properly without rushing.

Admission appears to be free or at least very cheap, though it's worth ringing ahead to check opening times, as volunteer museums can be erratic. Lostwithiel makes a decent stop if you're basing yourself at one of the nearby holiday parks - Eden Valley is just 1.4 miles away, and Par Sands sits at 4.2 miles. It's close enough to Bodmin for a morning visit before heading off to the coast, and it breaks up a park holiday nicely if you fancy something quieter than beach days.