Uncover Cornwall’s Hidden History with Exclusive Behind-the-Scenes Tours at Kresen Kernow

Visitors can explore rarely-seen treasures at Kresen Kernow during Heritage Open Days

Cornwall’s rich history will be brought to life during a series of exclusive behind-the-scenes tours at Kresen Kernow, the county’s premier archive centre. As part of this year’s Heritage Open Days, visitors will have a rare opportunity to step inside the strongrooms, which house a vast collection of historic documents, books, photographs, and maps, some dating back over 850 years.

These strongrooms, typically inaccessible to the public, will be opened for a limited time to provide a unique glimpse into Cornwall’s past. The Heritage Open Days, organised by the National Trust, are designed to encourage people to discover hidden places and try out new experiences. This year’s theme, “Routes,” celebrates the journeys of people and goods, making it a perfect fit for exploring Cornwall’s global influence.

Rare Documents on Display

Amanda Crago, Programme Support Officer at Kresen Kernow, highlighted some of the remarkable documents that will be on display for those lucky enough to secure a spot on the tours. Among the treasures are letters from a young Cornishman who worked in America and a diary from a woman who travelled on a Packet ship to the Caribbean in 1822. These documents offer a unique insight into the lives of Cornish people who ventured far from home, taking their customs, such as the beloved Cornish pasty, with them.

Housed in the historic Redruth Brewery, Kresen Kernow boasts 14 miles of shelving and over 1.5 million items, all dedicated to preserving and celebrating Cornwall’s heritage. Visitors to the centre can also browse the library, explore exhibitions, conduct research, and request specific documents from the vast collection to view in the archive space.

Limited Slots Available

Councillor Carol Mould, portfolio holder for Neighbourhoods at Cornwall Council, expressed her excitement about the upcoming tours, emphasising that Kresen Kernow is a fantastic place to explore Cornwall’s history. “I strongly recommend that people pay the centre a visit,” she said, noting the significance of the opportunity to see inside the strongrooms.

The free tours are limited to just 15 people per session and are expected to fill up quickly. They will be held on the following dates:

• Saturday, September 7 – 10.30am and 2pm
• Tuesday, September 10 – 10.30am and 2pm
• Wednesday, September 11 – 6pm
• Saturday, September 14 – 10.30am and 2pm

Interested participants can book their spots through Ticket Tailor.

Kresen Kernow, located in Redruth, is open to the public on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 9.30am to 4pm. For more information on the archive centre and its collections, visit the Kresen Kernow website.

Don’t miss this chance to delve into Cornwall’s hidden history!