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The Museum of Witchcraft and Magic, formerly known as the Museum of Witchcraft, is a museum dedicated to European witchcraft and magic located in the village of Boscastle in Cornwall, south-west England. It houses exhibits devoted to folk magic, ceremonial magic, Freemasonry, and Wicca, with its collection of such objects having been described as the largest in the world.
The museum was founded by the English folk magician Cecil Williamson in 1951 to display his own personal collection of artefacts. Initially known as the Folklore Centre of Superstition and Witchcraft, it was located in the town of Castletown on the Isle of Man. Williamson was assisted at the museum by the prominent Wiccan Gerald Gardner, who remained there as "resident witch". After their friendship deteriorated, Gardner purchased it from Williamson in 1954, renaming it the Museum of Magic and Witchcraft. Gardner's Castletown museum remained open until the 1970s, when Gardner's heir Monique Wilson sold its contents to the Ripley's company.
There is a not a place where I have seen so many unusual and interesting paranormal things packed into one small place. Staff are friendly and once you pay you walk around the museum which was the collection of a local paranormal researcher of the area. It is well worth a visit. If however you have children of a slightly squish nature you might want to go in front of them to ensure they don't see anything you wouldn't otherwise want them to see. There were six of us in our party and we all thought it was great.
Mark TyeFeb 13, 2018
I didn't get to go inside this time because it's closed until April then opens through the summer. When I last visited it was an amazing insight also a bit creepy...would definitely recommend and I hope to go back in the summer. Nestled in beautiful Boscastle, a wonderful and dramatic village, with great places to eat
Mary GeorgiouFeb 21, 2018
I originally came across the museum in 1997 and it 'called' to me. Ever since then I've practiced a Pagan based religion & frame of mind. You don't have to be Pagan to visit the museum, just an open mind, eclectic in belief and a spirit for adventure and wonder. The museum holds many beautiful and wonderful exhibits, many 'dark' and others 'light' in application & effect, but you can't have black without white/night without day so to speak. Cornwall has many beautiful places to visit & experience. We holiday once or twice a year in Cornwall, usually *Tintagel as our base. The ruins of King Arthur's Castle in the Tintagel cliffs/headland is another enchanting place to visit. *The Headland camping & caravan park. We have a little caravan.
Steve MarriottFeb 16, 2018
Very unhappy, saw this on the website and decided to go. When we arrived the place was closed. Website very unclear about the opening times etc. If clearer information it would have saved a wasted trip. Only good thing was that we explored Boscastle
kenneth ward saltMar 2, 2018
Excellent, how they pack so much in such a relatively small place must be by using magic...You need to allow a couple of hours if you want to 'review' everything, possibly more. The good news is that you can leave for a coffee or a pint and come back for round two. Just make sure you put enough parking time on your car ticket in the nearby car park.
gary harveyOct 28, 2017
Such an interesting place to visit. We spent a long time in there. Dogs are welcome on leads and both of ours seemed to enjoy their visit! A huge amount of objects to look at, from skulls to poppets. Plus the accompanying texts are very informative. Colourful and sometimes a bit gory or creepy, something for everyone. Gift shop good on way out.
Annie PApr 5, 2018
It's an okay place. (The walk to the edge of the coast passed the museum is spectacular!) The women that work there didn't talk or give us a hint to look out for this or that to make it exciting. Very interesting facts. Not a lot in there but we were happy to pay the £5 per person entry to support it - sasly the museum lost a lot of items in the flood. I hope they get the support to keep collecting & improving :)
Shaleen BittleApr 24, 2018
Nice and magic place. We liked this unusual museum. Do not miss it, it is unbelievable and Boscastle, the village on the harbour, is very very nice. In the evening it was raining and the tide was growing: walking around the harbour was spectacular, the shape of the witch of the cliff, the wind, the incoming waves, the low path going in the water... only a pirate vessel was missing!
Laura C NOMar 31, 2018
Interesting in an odd way. Not a place to take the kids. 15+ probably a good idea. If you like dark, ritual or black magic then probably the place to go. Nice walk down to the harbour suggested after visiting to cleanse the soul.
Richard GaleApr 21, 2018
What fantastic little museum. Even if you don't believe in such arts, go visit, look at, digest and think about what you've seen you'll be in a state of wonderment. I and my family enjoyed every moment in this museum, we learnt masses, had lots of fun and we thought about things we never knew before. The staff will help you with any questions you have and all have a story to tell. The displays are just brilliant, from the pretty to the gory to displays that will make you question. I'll be going back to see this place again and again. Please visit and keep this place open.
peter stoneMay 30, 2018
Loved it! Great fun and good for older kids. Not accessible if you're in a wheelchair which is a big problem, but they can't change that with it being a very old building, which is sad. It is a lovely building.
Naomi BloomerJun 18, 2018
Lovely lady behind the desk. I can't "do" stairs very well due to disability so the lady explained what was upstairs and then let me explore the downstairs for free. It was very interesting and you easily get absorbed into the many artifacts and story boards. Highly recommended *****
Debra PrattMay 16, 2018
Just love this place. It gets better every time I go, and I shall keep going as often as possible. P. S. Their library is impressive to say the least.
Kerenza JinksJun 16, 2018
We went to a evening story event in the library, then had a day visit to the museum and later viewed the summer solstice artworks which were beautiful. Staff were friendly and welcoming and the entry fee is a fair price. The museum is in a picturesque location beside the harbour. The exhibits are interesting although only a few predate the 20th century. Visitors of all beliefs are able to explore a rich local and national history of magic, witchcraft and folklore including the benevolent, malign and bizarre. I enjoyed learning about the Cecil Williamson, original curator, and his curiosity, knowledge and gentle sense of mischief lives on in this wonderful collection.
Rachel RobertsJul 10, 2018
Some fascinating history and artifacts on display here, well worth a visit if you're nearby. Located in a lovely old building, but it can get a bit cramped in parts if there are more than a few of you trying to view the same sections. Would be interesting to go again, to see what I might not have really looked at this time!
Charlotte FarmerJul 16, 2018
There is a not a place where I have seen so many unusual and interesting paranormal things packed into one small place. Staff are friendly and once you pay you walk around the museum which was the collection of a local paranormal researcher of the area. It is well worth a visit. If however you have children of a slightly squish nature you might want to go in front of them to ensure they don't see anything you wouldn't otherwise want them to see. There were six of us in our party and we all thought it was great.
Mark TyeFeb 13, 2018
I didn't get to go inside this time because it's closed until April then opens through the summer. When I last visited it was an amazing insight also a bit creepy...would definitely recommend and I hope to go back in the summer. Nestled in beautiful Boscastle, a wonderful and dramatic village, with great places to eat
Mary GeorgiouFeb 21, 2018
I originally came across the museum in 1997 and it 'called' to me. Ever since then I've practiced a Pagan based religion & frame of mind. You don't have to be Pagan to visit the museum, just an open mind, eclectic in belief and a spirit for adventure and wonder. The museum holds many beautiful and wonderful exhibits, many 'dark' and others 'light' in application & effect, but you can't have black without white/night without day so to speak. Cornwall has many beautiful places to visit & experience. We holiday once or twice a year in Cornwall, usually *Tintagel as our base. The ruins of King Arthur's Castle in the Tintagel cliffs/headland is another enchanting place to visit. *The Headland camping & caravan park. We have a little caravan.
Steve MarriottFeb 16, 2018
Very unhappy, saw this on the website and decided to go. When we arrived the place was closed. Website very unclear about the opening times etc. If clearer information it would have saved a wasted trip. Only good thing was that we explored Boscastle
kenneth ward saltMar 2, 2018
Excellent, how they pack so much in such a relatively small place must be by using magic...You need to allow a couple of hours if you want to 'review' everything, possibly more. The good news is that you can leave for a coffee or a pint and come back for round two. Just make sure you put enough parking time on your car ticket in the nearby car park.
gary harveyOct 28, 2017
Such an interesting place to visit. We spent a long time in there. Dogs are welcome on leads and both of ours seemed to enjoy their visit! A huge amount of objects to look at, from skulls to poppets. Plus the accompanying texts are very informative. Colourful and sometimes a bit gory or creepy, something for everyone. Gift shop good on way out.
Annie PApr 5, 2018
It's an okay place. (The walk to the edge of the coast passed the museum is spectacular!) The women that work there didn't talk or give us a hint to look out for this or that to make it exciting. Very interesting facts. Not a lot in there but we were happy to pay the £5 per person entry to support it - sasly the museum lost a lot of items in the flood. I hope they get the support to keep collecting & improving :)
Shaleen BittleApr 24, 2018
Nice and magic place. We liked this unusual museum. Do not miss it, it is unbelievable and Boscastle, the village on the harbour, is very very nice. In the evening it was raining and the tide was growing: walking around the harbour was spectacular, the shape of the witch of the cliff, the wind, the incoming waves, the low path going in the water... only a pirate vessel was missing!
Laura C NOMar 31, 2018
Interesting in an odd way. Not a place to take the kids. 15+ probably a good idea. If you like dark, ritual or black magic then probably the place to go. Nice walk down to the harbour suggested after visiting to cleanse the soul.
Richard GaleApr 21, 2018
What fantastic little museum. Even if you don't believe in such arts, go visit, look at, digest and think about what you've seen you'll be in a state of wonderment. I and my family enjoyed every moment in this museum, we learnt masses, had lots of fun and we thought about things we never knew before. The staff will help you with any questions you have and all have a story to tell. The displays are just brilliant, from the pretty to the gory to displays that will make you question. I'll be going back to see this place again and again. Please visit and keep this place open.
peter stoneMay 30, 2018
Loved it! Great fun and good for older kids. Not accessible if you're in a wheelchair which is a big problem, but they can't change that with it being a very old building, which is sad. It is a lovely building.
Naomi BloomerJun 18, 2018
Lovely lady behind the desk. I can't "do" stairs very well due to disability so the lady explained what was upstairs and then let me explore the downstairs for free. It was very interesting and you easily get absorbed into the many artifacts and story boards. Highly recommended *****
Debra PrattMay 16, 2018
Just love this place. It gets better every time I go, and I shall keep going as often as possible. P. S. Their library is impressive to say the least.
Kerenza JinksJun 16, 2018
We went to a evening story event in the library, then had a day visit to the museum and later viewed the summer solstice artworks which were beautiful. Staff were friendly and welcoming and the entry fee is a fair price. The museum is in a picturesque location beside the harbour. The exhibits are interesting although only a few predate the 20th century. Visitors of all beliefs are able to explore a rich local and national history of magic, witchcraft and folklore including the benevolent, malign and bizarre. I enjoyed learning about the Cecil Williamson, original curator, and his curiosity, knowledge and gentle sense of mischief lives on in this wonderful collection.
Rachel RobertsJul 10, 2018
Some fascinating history and artifacts on display here, well worth a visit if you're nearby. Located in a lovely old building, but it can get a bit cramped in parts if there are more than a few of you trying to view the same sections. Would be interesting to go again, to see what I might not have really looked at this time!
Charlotte FarmerJul 16, 2018
There is a not a place where I have seen so many unusual and interesting paranormal things packed into one small place. Staff are friendly and once you pay you walk around the museum which was the collection of a local paranormal researcher of the area. It is well worth a visit. If however you have children of a slightly squish nature you might want to go in front of them to ensure they don't see anything you wouldn't otherwise want them to see. There were six of us in our party and we all thought it was great.
Mark TyeFeb 13, 2018
I didn't get to go inside this time because it's closed until April then opens through the summer. When I last visited it was an amazing insight also a bit creepy...would definitely recommend and I hope to go back in the summer. Nestled in beautiful Boscastle, a wonderful and dramatic village, with great places to eat
Mary GeorgiouFeb 21, 2018
I originally came across the museum in 1997 and it 'called' to me. Ever since then I've practiced a Pagan based religion & frame of mind. You don't have to be Pagan to visit the museum, just an open mind, eclectic in belief and a spirit for adventure and wonder. The museum holds many beautiful and wonderful exhibits, many 'dark' and others 'light' in application & effect, but you can't have black without white/night without day so to speak. Cornwall has many beautiful places to visit & experience. We holiday once or twice a year in Cornwall, usually *Tintagel as our base. The ruins of King Arthur's Castle in the Tintagel cliffs/headland is another enchanting place to visit. *The Headland camping & caravan park. We have a little caravan.
Steve MarriottFeb 16, 2018
Very unhappy, saw this on the website and decided to go. When we arrived the place was closed. Website very unclear about the opening times etc. If clearer information it would have saved a wasted trip. Only good thing was that we explored Boscastle
kenneth ward saltMar 2, 2018
Excellent, how they pack so much in such a relatively small place must be by using magic...You need to allow a couple of hours if you want to 'review' everything, possibly more. The good news is that you can leave for a coffee or a pint and come back for round two. Just make sure you put enough parking time on your car ticket in the nearby car park.
gary harveyOct 28, 2017
Such an interesting place to visit. We spent a long time in there. Dogs are welcome on leads and both of ours seemed to enjoy their visit! A huge amount of objects to look at, from skulls to poppets. Plus the accompanying texts are very informative. Colourful and sometimes a bit gory or creepy, something for everyone. Gift shop good on way out.
Annie PApr 5, 2018
It's an okay place. (The walk to the edge of the coast passed the museum is spectacular!) The women that work there didn't talk or give us a hint to look out for this or that to make it exciting. Very interesting facts. Not a lot in there but we were happy to pay the £5 per person entry to support it - sasly the museum lost a lot of items in the flood. I hope they get the support to keep collecting & improving :)
Shaleen BittleApr 24, 2018
Nice and magic place. We liked this unusual museum. Do not miss it, it is unbelievable and Boscastle, the village on the harbour, is very very nice. In the evening it was raining and the tide was growing: walking around the harbour was spectacular, the shape of the witch of the cliff, the wind, the incoming waves, the low path going in the water... only a pirate vessel was missing!
Laura C NOMar 31, 2018
Interesting in an odd way. Not a place to take the kids. 15+ probably a good idea. If you like dark, ritual or black magic then probably the place to go. Nice walk down to the harbour suggested after visiting to cleanse the soul.
Richard GaleApr 21, 2018
What fantastic little museum. Even if you don't believe in such arts, go visit, look at, digest and think about what you've seen you'll be in a state of wonderment. I and my family enjoyed every moment in this museum, we learnt masses, had lots of fun and we thought about things we never knew before. The staff will help you with any questions you have and all have a story to tell. The displays are just brilliant, from the pretty to the gory to displays that will make you question. I'll be going back to see this place again and again. Please visit and keep this place open.
peter stoneMay 30, 2018
Loved it! Great fun and good for older kids. Not accessible if you're in a wheelchair which is a big problem, but they can't change that with it being a very old building, which is sad. It is a lovely building.
Naomi BloomerJun 18, 2018
Lovely lady behind the desk. I can't "do" stairs very well due to disability so the lady explained what was upstairs and then let me explore the downstairs for free. It was very interesting and you easily get absorbed into the many artifacts and story boards. Highly recommended *****
Debra PrattMay 16, 2018
Just love this place. It gets better every time I go, and I shall keep going as often as possible. P. S. Their library is impressive to say the least.
Kerenza JinksJun 16, 2018
We went to a evening story event in the library, then had a day visit to the museum and later viewed the summer solstice artworks which were beautiful. Staff were friendly and welcoming and the entry fee is a fair price. The museum is in a picturesque location beside the harbour. The exhibits are interesting although only a few predate the 20th century. Visitors of all beliefs are able to explore a rich local and national history of magic, witchcraft and folklore including the benevolent, malign and bizarre. I enjoyed learning about the Cecil Williamson, original curator, and his curiosity, knowledge and gentle sense of mischief lives on in this wonderful collection.
Rachel RobertsJul 10, 2018
Some fascinating history and artifacts on display here, well worth a visit if you're nearby. Located in a lovely old building, but it can get a bit cramped in parts if there are more than a few of you trying to view the same sections. Would be interesting to go again, to see what I might not have really looked at this time!
Charlotte FarmerJul 16, 2018
| Monday | 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Thursday | 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Friday | 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Saturday | 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Sunday | 11:30 AM – 6:00 PM |
Wander is a travel search engine that allows you to find the perfect travel destination that fits your budget and preferences.