PK Porthcurno – Museum of Global Communications

From the discovery of electricity and Morse code to fibre optics and the future technology of today, our award-winning museum combines the wonder of science with amazing histories and tales of human endeavour from around the globe, right here where the story of communications began.

Porthcurno Valley owes its unique heritage to the arrival of the first undersea telegraph cable in 1870. Zodiac House, located to the west of the valley, was the very first telegraph station building at Porthcurno, followed by Eastern House, which was constructed in 1904. By 1920, PK had become the largest and most important telegraph station in the world, shaping the landscape of the valley and the community that grew up around it. At one time, the whole valley was owned and operated by the telegraph company, and in wartime, Porthcurno was only accessible by special pass. Today, our museum occupies Eastern House and the secret underground bunker and escape tunnel that was dug into the hillside during WWII, while the old Cable Hut still stands above Porthcurno Beach.

The main museum collection is displayed in Eastern House, which forms a major part of the PK Porthcurno experience. From its construction in 1904, Eastern House was at the heart of the Porthcurno telegraph station site. After World War Two the building was refurbished, extended, and opened as a training school. In 1970, exactly 100 years after the arrival of the first cable, the telegraph station closed, but the training school remained open until 1993.

When you explore the museum you will discover its spacious gallery that houses a series of interactive exhibits and displays which illustrate the story of our communications revolution, while in our demonstration zone staff discuss and demonstrate some of the museum’s original working equipment.

After taking in Eastern House, go underground and explore the top-secret bunker that hid the Porthcurno Telegraph Station in World War Two, where Allied communications were protected by armed guards and bomb-proof doors. 120 steps were chopped through solid granite, built in case the telegraph station was invaded by enemy forces.

Find out how the war transformed the valley and the lives of the people who lived and worked here. Come and see the unexploded bomb that fell on a Porthcurno farm and hear stories of the Cable and Wireless staff who worked at Porthcurno and at cable stations around the world and discover the daring work needed to keep cable ships operating and discover the important role telegrams played in the war.

Within our bunker, you can step back in time and experience the sights and sounds of Regen. Our Grade II listed underground telegraphy station includes an automated relay system and wireless room. When the telegraph station moved underground in 1941, the equipment used was a regenerator system. Regen had been introduced in 1925 and enabled signals to be received, strengthened and sent on (regenerated) automatically. This was especially vital during wartime as it meant messages could rapidly and securely reach military stations thousands of miles away.

When the weather is suitable, we open up The Cable Hut; a grade II listed building that stands just above Porthcurno’s sandy beach. Built in 1929, this modest little building is where undersea telegraph cables came ashore from all corners of the world. The one-of-a-kind Cable Hut is complete with original features and fittings. It contains the world’s largest collection of historic telegraph cables and termination boxes.

Immerse yourself in our captivating expert talks, where our museum staff provide insightful explanations and live demonstrations of our original working equipment.

Surrounding the museum buildings are our beautiful sub-tropical gardens, maintained by our award-winning gardener Paddy, including our wildflower planting scheme, created as part of our work with the Eden Project to increase biodiversity in the valley.

Porthcurno beach is one of Europe’s most photographed and picturesque beaches, thanks to its fine golden sand, turquoise waters and towering granite cliffs. To the west, the world-famous Minack Theatre looks down from the clifftop, and along the headland to the east is Cornwall’s legendary Logan Rock. The beach is a popular destination for families thanks to its sheltered, south-facing position with lifeguard cover from May through September. Dogs are welcome on the beach during the low season, from October to April.

Walkers can enjoy spectacular views around Porthcurno from the South West Coast Path, which climbs high above the coves of Porthgwarra, Porthchapel and Porthcurno, taking in PK Porthcurno on the way, and on to Pedn Vounder and Penberth via Logan Rock and Cribba Head. As an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this stretch of coast has been used many times as a film and TV location, most recently as the location of Ross and Demelza’s beloved Nampara Cove in the BBC adaptation of Poldark.

Feeling peckish? Enjoy a selection of freshly prepared, locally sourced food and drink at Café PK with its stunning views over the valley, or enjoy a family picnic in our beautiful museum gardens. Or perhaps treat yourself to an ice cream, coffee and a pasty on your way to the beach from our all-new Koffi PK Airstream Trailer, located in the lower car park.

And be sure to buy yourself or a loved-one a memento of your visit from our PK Shop. Selling everything from books, t-shirts, mugs, hats, local-produce, science kits, cuddly toys, postcards to the always popular fridge-magnets.