Bodmin Keep: Cornwall's Army Museum

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Bodmin Keep: Cornwall's Army Museum Bodmin Keep – Cornwall's Army Museum brings 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)

Happening now! Get down to Bodmin Keep for tank and armoured vehicle themed talks alongside the Scimitar MK11am - Restor...
31/10/2026

Happening now! Get down to Bodmin Keep for tank and armoured vehicle themed talks alongside the Scimitar MK
11am - Restoring the Ferret Scout Car
2pm - Restoring armoured vehicles at the Tank Museum with the workshop manager Duncan Masters
£6 per per, per talk. Each ticked includes access to all our outdoor attractions!

🔥 GRAND FINALE TOMORROW: TANK TAKE-OVER! 🔥Join us in the courtyard tomorrow (Sat 31 Oct) at Bodmin Keep for the final da...
30/10/2026

🔥 GRAND FINALE TOMORROW: TANK TAKE-OVER! 🔥

Join us in the courtyard tomorrow (Sat 31 Oct) at Bodmin Keep for the final day of Tank Take-Over, featuring the Scimitar Mk 2 CVR(T) light tank on loan from The Tank Museum!

We’re wrapping up the event with an incredible line-up of three expert talks in our large events tent:
🏛️ 10am – The History of the Tank
With Joe Raine (Vehicle Curator, The Tank Museum)
🛠️ 11am – Restoring the Ferret Scout Car
With Nigel James (Bodmin Keep)
🚜 2pm – Armoured Vehicle Restoration at The Tank Museum
With Duncan Masters (Workshop Manager, The Tank Museum)

🎟️ Talk Tickets: £6 each (£5 for Armed Forces & Veterans). Bonus: Every talk ticket includes access to all our courtyard installations including the Scimitar Mk 2, Ferret Scout Car, WWI trench, remote-control tank assault course, and tank films!

🚪 Entry & Access: Access is via the side gate on Castle Canyke Road. No pre-booking required, just pay cash or card on the door!

28/10/2026

Come down to the Keep today and see the Scimitar mk 2, have a go with remote controlled tanks, have a go on the digital shooting range and make airplanes with RAF St Mawgan!
We're open until 3pm today (Oct 28) and tomorrow!

26/10/2026
📢 Schedule Update! 💨Due to predicted strong winds tomorrow, we have moved our Roman Armour workshop from Tuesday to Thur...
26/10/2026

📢 Schedule Update! 💨

Due to predicted strong winds tomorrow, we have moved our Roman Armour workshop from Tuesday to Thursday 29 October.
🗓️ Here is our updated plan for the rest of our Tank Take Over:
Wednesday 28 Oct (11am–3pm) RAF St Mawgan Aeroplane Session ✈️
Thursday 29 Oct (11am–3pm) Roman Armour Workshop 🛡️
Saturday 31st Oct (10am–3pm) Tank Talks 🚜

🎯 At ALL sessions, you'll have a chance to enjoy:
Scimitar Mk 2 (on loan from The Tank Museum!)
Ferret Armoured Scout Car
Remote control tank course
Digital shooting range
First World War trench exploration
Refreshments from Isabelle's Coffee ☕

We hope to see you there! Any questions email [email protected] or call 01208 73595 (9am to 5pm)

26/10/2026

Get down to Bodmin Keep now for week two of our Tank Take Over with our Scimitar Mk 2 light tank on loan from !

We're open 11-3pm today, Tuesday and Wednesday this half term with tank themed talks this Saturday as well!

⚠️ IMPORTANT VENUE & RESCHEDULING ANNOUNCEMENT ⚠️Due to tomorrow’s predicted poor weather, we have made changes to our t...
23/10/2026

⚠️ IMPORTANT VENUE & RESCHEDULING ANNOUNCEMENT ⚠️
Due to tomorrow’s predicted poor weather, we have made changes to our talk schedule for Saturday 24 October and Saturday 31 October.

📍 Saturday 24 October:
• 11am – Life Behind Armour: This talk is MOVING LOCATION to St Mary’s Parish Centre (St Mary’s Road, Bodmin, PL31 1NF).

📍 Saturday 31 October (still held at events tent at Bodmin Keep)
• 🕒 RESCHEDULED to 10am: The History of the Tank (Joe Raine, The Tank Museum)
• 🕒 11am as scheduled: Restoring the Ferret Scout Car (Nigel James, Bodmin Keep)
• 🕒 2pm as scheduled: Vehicle Restoration at The Tank Museum (Duncan Masters, The Tank Museum)

📩 Questions or Enquiries? If you have any questions about your bookings or these changes, please email [email protected] or call 01208 73595.

We will also go ahead with our activities Monday 26 to Wednesday 28 October as planned.

Thank you for your understanding and patience, we look forward to seeing you tomorrow at St Mary's Parish Centre! 🏛️

Join us this Saturday 24 October at 11am for a Q&A with Lieutenant Colonel Richard Trant and Major Merlin Hanbury-Teniso...
21/10/2026

Join us this Saturday 24 October at 11am for a Q&A with Lieutenant Colonel Richard Trant and Major Merlin Hanbury-Tenison, who will be discussing their experiences serving on tanks and armoured vehicles in Kuwait, Iraq, the Balkans, and Afghanistan.

Tickets are £6 per person and the floor will be open for the audience to ask our guests questions about their time in the military. 🎙️
£5 Armed Forces & Veterans (Please bring military ID, Veteran Card, or Defence Discount Card)

The session has changed locations to St Mary’s Parish Centre (St Mary’s Road, Bodmin, PL31 1NF).

We hope you will join us for what promises to be a fascinating session on life behind armour! Book tickets here: 👇
https://shop.beyonk.com/0vpn5fue/experiences/ex_6diyvgke81lfju64

Also, don’t miss out on our afternoon talk at 2pm with Joe Raine the Vehicle Curator from The Tank Museum on the history of the tank! 📜 Tank enthusiasts won't want to miss this!
https://shop.beyonk.com/0vpn5fue/experiences/ex_m37vy703d6taypax

21/10/2026

Happening now! Join us at Bodmin Keep for day three of our loan of the Scimitar Mk 2 from
We're joined by RAF St Mawgan for a rocket making workshop!
£6 per person includes rocket making, Scimitar tours, and our remote control tank course! Drop in anytime from now until 3pm

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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