Top 10 Specialty Museums in South West England, England

Step back in time when you board Brunel’s SS Great Britain. Discover the true stories behind the ship that changed the world. Experience the sights, sounds and smells of life on board for Victorian passengers and crew. Descend under water below the glass ‘sea’ to touch the world’s first great ocean liner.

The Tank Museum brings history to life, with the world’s best collection of tanks and explosive live displays. Our exhibitions tell the story of armoured warfare spanning over 100 years of history. Exploring ten powerful exhibitions, you will come face to face with almost 300 armoured vehicles. This unique collection includes the world’s first ever tank, the feared German Tiger and the modern Challenger 2. There are special events going on throughout the year at The Tank Museum including TANKFEST, Tiger Day and the Vintage Christmas Festival and Craft Fayre, as well as special activity programmes during the School Holiday.

Whether you're a serious aviation enthusiast or a kid who wants to sit in fast jet cockpits, this is for you! Please note - We are at Old Sarum Airfield - NOT at the Boscombe Down airfield.

Explore 19th and 20th century Cornish culture and industry in the heart of Helston. Browse our spectacular collections housed in Helston's historic market buildings - much bigger than it looks from the outside! Explore the way our grandparents and parents lived and wonder at the way things were done only a few years ago. "A Treasure Trove of Memories and Curiosities!"

A great family tourist attraction. Informative - and interesting aviation heritage and activity museum. Ideal for young and old. Indoor and outdoor exhibits. Sit inside the cockpits of some fantastic aircraft...

Step into the past at one of England's finest Georgian townhouses. * 10 display rooms * Upstairs and downstairs * Georgian shop * Free info room with introductory video * Disabled access * Kids explorer packs * Friendly room guides * 'Women's Suffrage 100: Freedom and Fight in Bath' is the exhibition theme in 2018. The website has an Access section which has details of nearest car-parks, floorplans, facilities and information specifically for our visitors with access needs.

The Helicopter Museum in Weston-super-Mare is the largest dedicated Rotorcraft Collection in the world, with over 80 helicopters displayed inside the museum's iconic hangar! Favourites include two of the Queen’s Royal Flight helicopters, the world speed record holder G-LYNX (400 km per hour!), the Vietnam Veteran Huey and the Hind Russian Gun Ship. Explore the old airfield's restored Pilots Block where you will find the ‘Weston Aviation Exhibition’ telling the story of Weston-super-Mare’s famous aviation past. Outside on the old taxiway visitors will be wowed by the 30 foot ‘Bristol Bloodhound’ Missile - the rockets of which were made just down the road in Banwell shortly after WW2. You don’t have to be an aviation buff to enjoy the museum and there’s plenty for kids to do - interactive zone, film theatre and ‘Play Copter’ are all family favourites! Regular open cockpit days give you a chance to climb aboard, have the controls explained to you by an expert and pose for a photo!

Book online now to guarantee date an entry time of your choice. Pirate’s Quest, Newquay is an immersive walk-through experience which combines talented theatrical actors, amazing special effects, and detailed 360⁰ sets in an authentic, atmospheric adventure. A LIVE Pirate Guide will lead you through realistic scenes on an hour-long voyage into the history of piracy. Be transported to the 1700’s and learn about the REAL Caribbean Pirates! A real LIVE Pirate will help you escape a shipwreck then lead you through the mystical caves and murky streets of eighteenth century Cornwall to the crew’s recruitment base; Blackbeard’s Tavern. Eventually you’ll arrive at the Captain’s Ship, ready to set sail to the Caribbean. Feel, hear, smell, and see Cornwall’s intriguing legends and exciting history in an adventure the whole family can enjoy together.