Royal Cornwall Polytechnic Society, Arts centre and theatre in Falmouth, England.
The Royal Cornwall Polytechnic Society is an arts centre and theatre housed in a Grade II* listed building on Church Street featuring large windows, gallery seating, and multiple exhibition spaces. The building offers rooms for conferences, workshops, exhibitions, and club meetings, along with a digital cinema system installed in 2015.
The institution was founded in 1833 by the daughters of the Fox family and received royal patronage from King William IV in 1835. The current building was constructed following this royal recognition, marking a turning point for the organisation.
The theatre maintains a collection of more than 200 works by Henry Scott Tuke and presents contemporary films, plays, and artistic exhibitions throughout the year. These spaces serve as a gathering place for local artists and cultural events that shape the community's creative life.
Visitors should check ahead as different rooms and exhibitions may have varying schedules and accessibility conditions depending on the current programme. The central location on Church Street makes the building easily walkable and well positioned within the town centre.
Alfred Nobel conducted the first worldwide public demonstration of nitroglycerine at this venue during the society's exhibition in 1865. This groundbreaking scientific event made the location an important chapter in the history of explosive development.
Location: Falmouth
Address: 24 Church Street, Falmouth, Cornwall, TR11 3EG, England
Website: https://thepoly.org
GPS coordinates: 50.15370,-5.06833
Latest update: December 11, 2025 18:06
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