The Davidstow Airfield and Cornwall at War Museum – better known by only its latter half – is a fascinating place if you’re into military history and the armed forces. It’s located on part of an old Second World War airfield at RAF Davidstow Moor, which is a few miles inland from Tintagel and not far from the edges of Bodmin Moor. In size, it covers about two acres and in content, it covers so much about Cornwall and its military history, with literally thousands of items on show in 18 buildings across the site.
Many of the museum’s exhibits cover life in the Second World War in Cornwall as this airfield did play a crucial role in the conflict but there are also displays on the Falklands, Gulf and Afghanistan wars. Then the different armed forces and other airfields that are dotted along the county’s north coast are also covered, as is even the German military.
There’s also stuff from the Light Infantry, the Royal Observer Corps and, of course, plenty of vehicles, machines and weapons to peruse. There are even a few aircraft to visit in a massive hangar on the site. Of course, there are tons of letters, photos, drawings and files that bring life in wartime to, well, life. It’s an inspirational place that could take you hours to get around if you immerse yourself in the wealth of exhibits.
The museum runs two-hour tours of the airfield from the comfort of a special bus every Thursday from 2pm between July and September. Pre-booking your place on the bus is essential and it costs £13 for adults and £11 for kids. If you’re not so into the tour, though, you can hit up the museum on any day, as long as it’s between 10am and 5pm, and between Easter and October as it shuts on the off-season. Then prepare for a barrage of information at this cracking war museum.