The Museum of Witchcraft and Magic

You'll find glass cases filled with genuine witch trial documents, curious folk remedies, and objects that people genuinely believed held supernatural power. The Museum of Witchcraft and Magic sits in Boscastle, just inland from Bude, and it's a properly absorbing place if you're into social history more than jump-scares.

The collection spans centuries - everything from 17th-century court papers to modern pagan artefacts. What strikes you is how serious people were about it all. These weren't just theatrical props; they were items that got people hanged. The museum doesn't do sensationalism. Instead, you get a clear-eyed look at superstition, folk magic, and the terrifying consequences of mass panic.

It works best for adults and older teenagers who can read the detailed captions and think critically about what they're seeing. Young children will find it either brilliant or boring depending on their tolerance for museum reading. Plan on two hours if you're genuinely interested, ninety minutes if you're just passing through.

Coming from Pencuke Farm Holiday Cottages or Bude Camping and Caravanning Club Site, it's a straightforward drive. The Cornish coast's cracking for hiking and beaches, but if you get a rainy afternoon - and you will - this beats sitting in a cafe. It's not expensive, though you'll want to check current opening hours and admission before you go. Worth a detour if you're interested in folklore and local history, but don't expect theatrical thrills.