Nautical museums

National Maritime Museum, Cornwall

Visitors who want to learn more about the sea and the crafts which travel on it won’t be disappointed with the brand new National Maritime Museum (www.nmmc.co.uk/) in Cornwall. Housed in a superb award-winning building on Falmouth’s bustling harbour side, this is a great place to learn more about the ocean and its vessels, see beneath the sea through windows in a special underwater level and interact with one of the many displays.

Hartlepool’s Maritime Experience in the North East of England

The Museum of Hartlepool & PSS Wingfield Castle (www.destinationhartlepool.com/section_things_to_see_and_do.php?area=Maritime%20Activity&att=Museum+of+Hartlepool) is a superb re-creation of an 18th-century seaport, telling the story of life at sea at the time of Nelson, Napoleon and the Battle of Trafalgar.

You face the daily challenges, nautical rituals and the hardship of maritime life in days gone by. Experience the real sound of an 18th-century battle gun being fired and discover the historic quayside (www.destinationhartlepool.com/section_historic_quay.php?), fighting ships, quayside coffee shop, skittle square and children's activity playship, marine barracks and guard room.

But the jewel in this superb attraction’s crown has to be the guided tour of the superbly restored HMS Trincomalee (www.hms-trincomalee.co.uk/), the oldest ship afloat in the UK and the last of the frigates commissioned in the Nelson era. You can see where the mariners slept, ate and worked – this evocative step back in time is a treat not to be missed.

www.hartlepoolsmartimeexperience.com (www.hartlepoolsmaritimeexperience.com/)