Bodmin Keep: Cornwall's Army Museum

Bodmin Keep: Cornwall's Army Museum Bodmin Keep: Cornwall's Army Museum — bringing Cornwall's rich military history to life. Bodmin Keep is a friendly and fun museum in Bodmin, Cornwall.
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Explore 12,000 artefacts spanning 300+ years, and discover the stories of ordinary men and women living through extraordinary times. We hold all kinds of events and activities on selected dates all year round, and welcome all visitors, including groups, children, and even well behaved dogs! We are recognised as probably the finest Military Museum in the South West of England. As well as seeing our

collections, come and explore our home, Bodmin Keep, which is a Grade II listed building, constructed at the time of the Napoleonic threats. Bodmin Keep was the home of Cornwall's Military life for over 150 years, and still has original features such as the great stone staircases and original fireplaces. You can even experience our Cold-War era military police cell! Covering a period between 1702 until 2007, the museum's displays tell the stories of the Cornwall Volunteers and Volunteer Militia, the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry (DCLI), and we are extremely proud and honoured to be home to the National Collection of the Light Infantry (LI). A fine collection of medals, weapons, uniforms, paintings and artefacts (as well as a few surprises in the collection!) are clearly displayed and will appeal to all age groups, enhancing and bringing to life much of the country’s history covered in the National Curriculum. The museum has an extensive library and archive and a team of research volunteers who are proud to help over 300 families per year discover their military family history. Bodmin Keep is located on Lostwithiel Road, 100 yds from the Bodmin and Wenford Railway which was built to service the Barracks. ADMISSION:
Admission is great value at £9 Adult, £5 Child (under 5 years FREE) and well-behaved dogs are also welcome. Once you have paid you can return free for a year too! OPENING TIMES:
Summer Opening (April 4th – October 30th) Open: Monday – Saturday 10am – 5pm (Last entry 4pm)
Winter Opening (November 1st – April 1st) Open@ Tuesday – Saturday 10am – 5pm (Last entry 4pm)

To fundraise for the Keep and support Cornwall’s military heritage on Thursday 25 June at 2pm, we are hosting a powerful...
04/06/2026

To fundraise for the Keep and support Cornwall’s military heritage on Thursday 25 June at 2pm, we are hosting a powerful talk on the Battle for Hill 112.
https://bodminkeep.org.uk/whats-on/events

Author and historian Christopher Jary will explore the battle, which was a pivotal, bitterly fought chapter of the 1944 Normandy campaign. Discover the gripping stories of the 43rd Wessex Division and the central role played by the 5th Battalion of the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry.

🎟️ Gates open at 1:30 PM with the event taking place in our large events tent in our courtyard. Your ticket includes a post-talk viewing of historic Hill 112 artefacts, our Ferret scout car, and our newly restored Anderson shelter.

Book your tickets now via our website to secure your spot:
https://bodminkeep.org.uk/whats-on/events
For additional info on booking email: [email protected]

Today as part of Volunteers' Week, we're celebrating the 'Power of Youth Action'and recognising two fantastic young volu...
02/06/2026

Today as part of Volunteers' Week, we're celebrating the 'Power of Youth Action'and recognising two fantastic young volunteers, Lily May and Mollie Gilbert.

Lily May has supported us at numerous events, from our pop-up museums to helping with all of our half-term sessions last week. Her enthusiasm and willingness to get involved make a real difference.

Mollie has also supported the museum during its closure, raising hundreds of pounds through litter picks and car boot sales, to help us keep moving forward ⭐

Thank you both for your dedication, energy, and commitment. We are incredibly grateful to have you as part of our museum community.

We were delighted to welcome the Scouts to Bodmin Keep for an exciting day of learning and teamwork!The group took part ...
30/05/2026

We were delighted to welcome the Scouts to Bodmin Keep for an exciting day of learning and teamwork!

The group took part in our town-wide Navigation Challenge, discovering Bodmin's rich military heritage while developing their code-breaking, orienteering, and team-building skills along the way.

A huge congratulations to our winning team, The Bombers, who blew the competition out of the water with their fantastic performance!

Thank you to everyone who took part—we hope you enjoyed the challenge as much as we enjoyed hosting you. 🚩🧭🏆

🚀 Happening TODAY at Bodmin Keep! 🚀Clear the runway! Our special guests from RAF St Mawgan are back to help you reach ne...
28/05/2026

🚀 Happening TODAY at Bodmin Keep! 🚀

Clear the runway! Our special guests from RAF St Mawgan are back to help you reach new heights.

Led by expert STEM ambassadors, this hands-on workshop invites you to step into the world of aviation as you make and launch your very own aeroplane right here in our courtyard! From mastering the perfect wing shape to seeing your creation take flight, it’s a brilliant opportunity to learn from the experts.

🕒 Time: 11am to 3pm (Drop in anytime!)
💰 Cost: Only £2 per person to take part. Book on our website or pay cash or card on arrival.
https://bodminkeep.org.uk/whats-on/events

While you're here, don't miss out on all the action on-site:

💣 Anderson Shelter: Step inside our newly restored shelter with immersive sound!
🎯 Shooting Range: Test your aim and see if you have what it takes.
🪖 WW1 Trench: Walk through our life-sized First World War trench.
🎞️ Regimental Cells: Watch a short film of our Collection Highlights in a truly unique setting.
🏎️ Ferret Scout Car: Get up close to our beautifully restored armored vehicle!

Whether you're a budding pilot or a future engineer, come along for a day of high-flying fun and "Chocks Away" action! No booking required—just turn up, build, and fly! ✈️

🚀 Happening TODAY at Bodmin Keep! 🚀Join us in our courtyard to design and launch your own rocket with the team from RAF ...
27/05/2026

🚀 Happening TODAY at Bodmin Keep! 🚀

Join us in our courtyard to design and launch your own rocket with the team from RAF St Mawgan!
Only £2 per person to take part.

🕒 Time: 11am to 3pm (Drop in anytime!)

While you're here, don't miss out on all the action on-site:

💣 Anderson Shelter: Step inside our newly restored shelter with immersive sound!
🎯 Shooting Range: Test your aim and see if you have what it takes.
🪖 WW1 Trench: Walk through our life-sized First World War trench.
🎞️ Regimental Cells: Watch a short film of our Collection Highlights in a truly unique setting.
🏎️ Ferret Scout Car: Get up close to our beautifully restored armoured vehicle!

🎟️ No booking required—just turn up, build, and launch! See you there!

26/05/2026

Happening now! The Berlin Wall – Art, Assets & Archaeology!

We’ve just unearthed our original piece of the Berlin Wall for our workshop on the Berlin Wall. Unleash your inner rebel and design your very own piece of vibrant wall art! Inspired by the famous graffiti that transformed a symbol of division into a canvas of hope, you'll create a masterpiece to take home.
and.piece

£2 per person. Drop in anytime!

🏰 While you’re here, don’t miss:
• 💣 Anderson Shelter: Step inside our newly restored shelter!
• 🎯 Shooting Range: Test your aim.
• 🪖 WW1 Trench: Explore our life-sized First World War trench.
• 🎞️ Regimental Cells: Watch a short film of Collection Highlights in a unique setting.

🚀Rebels, Rockets and Runways! May Half Term at Bodmin Keep: Cornwall’s Army MuseumGet ready for actioned packed workshop...
24/05/2026

🚀Rebels, Rockets and Runways! May Half Term at Bodmin Keep: Cornwall’s Army Museum
Get ready for actioned packed workshops where history takes flight and creativity knows no borders.
🎨 Tuesday 26 May: The Berlin Wall – Art & Archaeology
With Lore & Piece Join archaeologist Laura to delve into the story behind the iconic Berlin Wall.
🚀 Wednesday 27 May: Rocket Building
With RAF St. Mawgan The expert STEM Ambassadors are back! Design, build, and launch your very own rocket while mastering the art of aerodynamics.
✈️ Thursday 28 May: Plane Workshop
With RAF St. Mawgan — Brand New Workshop!
Step into the world of aviation with our redesigned aeroplane session.
• How to join: For more details and to book your space please visit (link to What's On page)

Workshop: Awesome Aerodynamics     Thursday 28 May 2026🛩️ Clear the runway! Our special guests from RAF St. Mawgan are b...
21/05/2026

Workshop: Awesome Aerodynamics Thursday 28 May 2026
🛩️ Clear the runway! Our special guests from RAF St. Mawgan are back at Bodmin Keep to help you reach new heights. Led by expert STEM ambassadors, this hands-on workshop invites you to step into the world of aviation as you make and launch your very own aeroplane right here in our courtyard.

✈️ From mastering the perfect wing shape to seeing your creation take flight, it’s a brilliant opportunity to learn from the experts. Whether you're a budding pilot or a future engineer, come along for a day of high-flying fun and "Chocks Away" action!

For more information visit https://bodminkeep.org.uk/visit-us/whats-on

Rocket Building with RAF St. Mawgan Wednesday 27 May 2026🚀 Ready for lift-off? Join us and special guests from RAF St. M...
20/05/2026

Rocket Building with RAF St. Mawgan Wednesday 27 May 2026
🚀 Ready for lift-off? Join us and special guests from RAF St. Mawgan for an out-of-this-world rocket building workshop! Led by expert STEM ambassadors, this is your chance to step into the shoes of an engineer as you design, build, and launch your very own rocket in our courtyard.

🌟Whether you're aiming for the stars or just looking for some high-flying fun, our guest experts will be on hand to help you master the art of aerodynamics. It’s a high-speed, hands-on experience that the whole family will love—don’t miss your chance to see how high your creation can fly!

Workshop: The Berlin Wall – Art, Assets & Archaeology! Tuesday 26 May 2026Think archaeology is just about dusty old pots...
19/05/2026

Workshop: The Berlin Wall – Art, Assets & Archaeology! Tuesday 26 May 2026
Think archaeology is just about dusty old pots? Think again! Join archaeologist Laura from Lore & Piece for a thrilling dive into the world of the Berlin Wall. This isn't your average history lesson—it's a chance to see how modern ruins tell incredible stories, guided by a professional who knows exactly where the secrets are hidden!
In this workshop, you will:
🗺️ Trace the Great Divide: Discover how the Roman army isn't the only force to leave its mark on the landscape—uncover how the Berlin Wall changed the world forever.

🔎Examine the Evidence: Learn how archaeologists study the "recent" past and what Cold War artifacts tell us about life behind the Iron Curtain.

🖌️Make Your Mark: Unleash your inner rebel and design your very own piece of vibrant wall art! Inspired by the famous graffiti that transformed a symbol of division into a canvas of hope, you'll create a masterpiece to take home.

🏛️Come and see how archaeology helps us understand the modern world through fresh, expert-guided eyes. Let’s get creative and make some history!

For more information visit https://bodminkeep.org.uk/visit-us/whats-on

Address

The Keep, Castle Canyke Road
Bodmin
PL311EG

Opening Hours

Monday Closed
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

01208 72810

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