🚀 Join us for Rebels, Rockets and Runways this May Half Term!
Bodmin Keep - Cornwall’s Army Museum is the place to be this holiday. We have an action-packed programme where history takes flight and creativity knows no borders.
🎨 Tuesday 26 May | The Berlin Wall – Art & Archaeology
With Lore & Piece, delve into the story behind the iconic Berlin Wall with archaeologist Laura Miucci. Unleash your inner rebel and design your very own piece of vibrant wall art!
• Join us for 1-hour sessions starting at either:
10:45am, 12:00pm or 1:30pm.
• £2 per person
🚀 Wednesday 27 May | Rocket Building with RAF St. Mawgan
Design, build, and launch your very own rocket while mastering the art of aerodynamics!
• Drop in anytime between 11:00am – 3:00pm
• £2 per person
✈️ Thursday 28 May | Plane Workshop With RAF St. Mawgan — Brand New Workshop!
Step into the world of aviation with our redesigned aeroplane session.
• Drop in anytime between 11:00am – 3:00pm
• £2 per person
While you’re here, don’t miss:
💣 Anderson Shelter: Step inside our newly restored shelter!
🎯 Shooting Range: Test your aim
🪖 WW1 Trench: Explore our life-sized First World War trench.
🎞️ Regimental Cells: Watch a short film of Collection Highlights in a unique setting.
Keep an eye on out on our website and social media for bookings or pay on arrival.
#BodminKeep #CornwallEvents #HalfTermFun #HistoryWorkshops #STEMLearning #RocketBuilding #AviationWorkshop #BerlinWallArt #FamilyActivities #RAFStMawgan
Bodmin Keep May Newsletter has arrived with details of our May half-term activities and community programme; information on how to book tickets for an exhilarating talk about the crucial Battle for Hill 112 in July 1944 from military historian Christopher Jary and news of the last archive finds. Sign up to our mailing list on our website.
The grandson of Private Henry Dale, a Penzance resident and soldier of the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry (DCLI), recently contacted us to share a remarkable family story.
Private Dale was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) for rescuing wounded comrades under fire during the First World War. In April 1918, he was himself wounded and taken to Germany as a Prisoner of War, where his injuries eventually led to the amputation of his leg.
While in the hospital, he formed a close friendship with a German nurse. As a gesture of kindness, she gifted him the traditional doll pictured here.
Now over 100 years old, this photograph and doll have been kept in the family for generations. We are grateful to Dale’s grandson for sharing this story with Cornwall’s Army Museum, helping us tell the personal stories of the DCLI during the Great War.
#BodminKeep #DCLI #Penzance #FirstWorldWar #Cornwall
🚨 This weekend in Bude!
Explore the Bodmin Keep pop‑up museum 🏛️at the Bude Motor Show
✔️ Ferret Mark II Scout Car military vehicle
✔️ New displays
✔️ Hands‑on history
✔️ Find out about our own Repair Shop‑style conservation
Bude Motor Show | Sunday 10 May | 10am-4pm | Entry to the show £2
We’re delighted that The National Archives has awarded Bodmin Keep a scoping grant to assess the condition of the archive after 18 months of building closure. As of April, VIVO Defence has given permission for museum staff to enter the building, so although we remain closed to the public, we will now be able to carry out maintenance work on the collection.
The grant will pay for a consultant to assist us to prioritise conservation tasks and understand the breadth, depth and significance of the collection. Our Archive holds star items such as letters from Florence Nightingale in Crimea to the family of a soldier, and an Officer writing home on the eve of the Battle of Waterloo but there’s much more uncover.
The Archives Revealed Scoping Grant programme is funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Pilgrim Trust, the Wolfson Foundation and The National Archives.
What an incredible Easter break! 🐣🚀
A massive Meur Ras to everyone who joined us for our holiday workshops. We had a blast, and we hope you did too! Our Easter holiday programme was packed with adventure, including:
✈️ To the Skies: The RAF@RAFStMawgan helped us build and launch some seriously impressive rockets and planes! ️
🎨Creative Spirits: Our Easter Craft Day brought out the inner artist in everyone.
🏛️Ancient History: A huge thanks to our visiting archaeologist Laura @Lore & Piece for the fascinating Romans in Cornwall session.
🪖Living History: We stepped back in time with WWI re-enactors who brought our trench to life.
We love seeing our community come together to learn and create. Check out some of the highlights in the photos below! 📸👇
Keep an eye out on social media for our May half term events, we would love to see you !
#EasterHolidays #CommunitySpirit #STEM #LivingHistory #CornwallEvents#MayHalfTerm
🎖️ HAPPENING NOW: The Tommies have arrived!
The boots are on the ground and the tea is brewing in the dugout! 💂♂️
Our WWI living history day is happening right now. Drop in anytime until 4pm to:
🪖 Explore the trench with The West Country Tommies WWI Re-enactors
🎯 Test your aim on our shooting range.
🎬 Watch the stunning new collections film by Rachael Jones.
It’s a beautiful day for a bit of history with FREE entry as well!
📍 Bodmin Keep - Cornwall's Army Museum
⏰ Now until 4pm
🎟️ FREE entry
Come down and say hello!
#BodminKeep #LivingHistory #HappeningNow #Cornwall #WW1 #FreeEvents
💂♂️ TOMORROW: The Tommies are taking over!
Get ready to step back in time. From 10am tomorrow, the West Country Tommies will be in residence in our WWI trench and dugout for a full day of living history!
Beyond the trench, there is so much more to see and do:
🎯 Take Aim: A rare chance to try out our shooting range!
🎬 Museum Stories: Watch an immersive film on our collections by acclaimed artist-filmmaker Rachael Jones.
🪖 Trench Life: Witness "Stand-to-Arms," authentic kit inspections, and soldiers writing home from the front.
It’s a completely FREE drop-in event, perfect for all ages and a great way to see history brought to life right here in Bodmin.
📍 Where: Bodmin Keep - Cornwall's Army Museum
⏰ When: Saturday 18 April | 10am – 4pm (Drop in anytime!)
🎟️ Cost: FREE
Full event details here: /events/1628915448254644
.uk/whats-on/events
#BodminKeep #CornwallEvents #LivingHistory #WW1 #FamilyDaysOut #FreeEventsCornwall
✈️ Happening NOW until 3 PM! ✈️
Join us at Bodmin Keep for Awesome Aerodynamics with the team from RAF St Mawgan! Build and fly your own creations in our courtyard marquee for just £2 per person.
While you're here, make the most of your visit:
🎯 Try out our Shooting Range
🪖 Explore our First World War Trench
🎞️ Watch a short film of Collection Highlights in our regimental cells
Check out the event page for more info:
👉 https://ow.ly/lQ4950YGmzY
#Bodmin #BodminKeep #RAFStMawgan #STEM #CornwallEvents #FamilyFun Bodmin Voice
Happening right now!
Join us in the courtyard at Bodmin Keep for Rocket Launching with RAF St Mawgan! It’s the perfect chance to build and launch your very own rocket!
Make it a full day of action at the Keep.
See all the details here: /events/1606190930616863/
Plus: Our shooting range will be open again for you to test your aim for just £1 a go! 🎯
#BodminKeep #RAFStMawgan #CornwallEvents #FamilyDaysOut #RocketScience #VisitCornwall #EasterHolidays
🏛️ HAPPENING TODAY: Roman Mystery at the Keep! 🛡️
Don't let the drizzle dampen your plans! Whether you're a budding historian or looking for some creative family fun, we’ve got you covered. ☔✨
Join us today, Tuesday 14 April (11am–3pm), as we team up with professional archaeologist Laura Miucci. Our workshop is tucked away in a dry marquee, so you can stay undercover while you uncover the secrets of Roman Cornwall!
Join us today to:
🏺 Handle real Roman artefacts found right here in the county.
🎨 Design and decorate your own soldier’s shield.
🪖 Explore the WWI Trench and try the Shooting Range.
🎬 See our collections come to life in the new film by Rachael Jones.
📍 Bodmin Keep | 11am – 3pm 🎟️ £2 per person | Drop-in sessions available all day!
Find out more: 🔗 /events/
🔗 /events/921902863897724
See you in the marquee! 🛡️🏛️
#BodminKeep #RomanCornwall #BodminEvents #FamilyDaysOut #CornwallLife #LoreAndPiece #Easter2026
🏛️TOMORROW: Roman Mystery at the Keep!🛡️
Did the Roman army really come to Cornwall? Find out tomorrow, Tuesday 14 April (11am–3pm), as we team up with professional archaeologist Laura Miucci from Lore & Piece!
Uncover ancient secrets, handle real Roman artefacts, and get creative by making your very own soldier’s shield. 🛡️🏺
📍 Bodmin Keep | 11am – 3pm 🎟️ £2 per person | Drop-in or pre-book below!
Event Details & Booking:
🔗 /events/921902863897724
🔗 .uk/whats-on/events
Plus, make the most of your visit:
🪖 Explore our authentic WWI Trench.
🎯 Try your aim on our Shooting Range.
🎬 Watch a film about our museum collections by artist-filmmaker Rachael Jones.
#BodminKeep #RomanCornwall #CornwallEvents #FamilyFun #Easter2026 #Archaeology #LoreAndPiece @rjonesfilms
