Shipwreck Treasure Museum

The Shipwreck Treasure Museum is a maritime collection in Charlestown displaying recovered items from sunken vessels across different centuries. The exhibition spreads across multiple halls and underground tunnels where you discover objects related to shipwrecks and seafaring history.

The museum was founded in 1976 by divers Richard and Bridget Larn and occupies a former china clay warehouse. This conversion of the building created an important center for preserving maritime history.

The collection displays objects from different periods of seafaring, showing how people lived and worked at sea across centuries. You see everyday items belonging to sailors and learn which techniques they used for navigation and survival.

The museum is open daily from 10 to 17, with guided tours available through the exhibition spaces. The underground tunnels can be dark, so wear comfortable shoes and be prepared for confined spaces.

The underground tunnels were originally part of the china clay export network and once served to transport porcelain material. These repurposed spaces give the collection a distinctive context and link the local mining history with maritime stories.

Location: Charlestown

Address: Quay Road, St. Austell PL25 3NJ

Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday 10:00-17:00

Website: http://shipwreckcharlestown.com

GPS coordinates: 50.33279,-4.75674

Latest update: December 13, 2025 12:22