IN a new exhibition |opening on February 3, the Maritime Museum in Falmouth is inviting |visitors to enter the |clandestine world of smuggling.

The multi-sensory exhibition for all ages will immerse visitors in the sights, sounds and smells of the heyday of smuggling in the 18th to early 19th centuries.

Exquisite smuggling artefacts will take centre-stage, from an opium concealment loaned from the Border Force National Museum, to a tea chest from the mythical Cornish smuggling haunt, Jamaica Inn.

One engaging exhibit encourages visitors to rummage inside smugglers’ barrels to |identify their illicit cargo. By sniffing or touching the contents of various tubs, visitors must guess the contraband contained inside and then lift the lid to discover the truth.

Exhibitions development co-ordinator, Tehmina Goskar says: “Smugglers in history have a divided reputation, as romantic heroes and ruthless villains. The veil of secrecy surrounding the ‘Free Trade’ gave rise to enchanting, but often fictitious, legends.

This exhibition seeks to dispel some of these myths and reveal the truth behind the tall tales.”

Smuggling at the National Maritime Museum Cornwall runs from February 3 until July 6.

For more information on opening times and admission prices visit www.nmmc.co.uk or call 01326 313388.