Plymouth’s multi-million pound Box venue is a museum, art gallery and archive combined. Displays guide you through the history of the city, dealing honestly with sometimes challenging issues.

The most striking exhibit is Figureheads, 14 immense Victorian Royal Naval ship’s figureheads which are suspended from the ceiling. Active Archives then tells you the story of the statues, the ships and the people involved.

100 Journeys considers how voyages that began in Plymouth have helped change the world. It tells the story of explorers ranging from Sir Francis Drake and Sir Walter Raleigh to Charles Darwin and Captain Cook. It also explores negative stories of colonialism and slavery and considers the impact on those being colonised.

Mammoth meanwhile charts the story of the remarkable creatures that lived in this area 35,000 years ago and explores how human actions can affect the planet’s biodiversity.

Practical Info

Tavistock Place, Plymouth. PL4 8AX

Admission Free

Hours Tue-Sun 10am–5pm

theboxplymouth.com