Opening hours

Tue - Sat: 10am - 4:45pm
Closed: Sundays, Mondays and Bank Holidays

Free Entry

There may be a charge for special exhibitions. Please call to confirm.

Extraordinary closures

Please note that the museum will be closed as detailed below:

Mummy on the move!
The Egyptian gallery will be closed from the 28 April. The Mummy will reappear when the new Ancient Civilisations gallery opens on the 8 June

Saturday 24 November
The Museum and Library will be closed for the RIC Members Only day.

We apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause.

The Royal Cornwall Museum is run by a charity, the Royal Institution of Cornwall. It costs the RIC over £1million per year to deliver the museum and library service. Although in receipt of grants, these are not guaranteed and we rely on donations and gifts left in Wills to provide unrestricted funds for the core activities that keep the museum open.

In 2018 the RIC will be 200 years old. Our aim is to raise £10million for an endowment fund which will provide this much needed long-term income for the museum and library. Any gift that you make to the RIC, using the form provided or as part of your Will, will form part of the endowment fund. Interest earned on the endowment will support ongoing conservation work, exhibitions, school and family activities, research, community programmes, and maintenance work. This way, gifts of all sizes can make a valuable contribution to supporting us for the next 200 years.

Cash Donations

All donations from £5 to £50,000 will be used to support the charitable aims of the RIC.  If you are a UK taxpayer and wish to make a cash donation, you can gift aid your donation. This means we can reclaim the tax you have already paid on your donation. By doing this, your donation can increase in value by a quarter at no extra cost to you.

Click here for a donation and gift aid form.

Remembering the RIC in your Will - The Gift of a Lifetime

By leaving a gift in your Will to the RIC you can acknowledge the enjoyment and inspiration the Royal Cornwall Museum & Courtney Library has given you and help it to inspire future generations. 

How do I leave a gift to the Royal Institution of Cornwall in my Will?
Remembering the RIC in your Will can be a simple process. If you already have a Will you may not need to create a new one, you can simply add a codicil that amends the existing Will.  Obviously everyone’s circumstances vary so, as a first step, you should seek professional advice.

If you do wish to remember the RIC there are different types of gift you may wish to give. These can include a residual legacy which is the remainder of your estate after all your debts, expenses and other gifts have been made or a pecuniary legacy which is a gift of a fixed sum of money. Again your professional adviser can help you with this.

Tax Exemptions
If your estate is worth more than the inheritance tax threshold, then leaving a gift to charity might reduce your inheritance tax liability. Gifts to charities are usually tax free. Many issues can affect the levels of inheritance tax. It is therefore important that you consult a professional adviser e.g. your solicitor, before proceeding on this basis

If you would like to speak to someone about leaving the RIC a legacy please contact Taryn Harris on 01872 272205 x234.