Pencarrow House, Cornwall
Pencarrow House & Gardens are located in the tranquil and scenic Cornwall countryside. The historic house and gardens offer visitors a heritage attraction, the imposing house is still used as a family home for the Molesworth-St Aubyns whilst the gardens offer visitors plenty of colour and a peaceful backdrop. The scenic and historic setting mean the site is a popular venue for weddings and events such as concerts.
Attractions
Pencarrow House & Gardens form a popular heritage attraction, the historic country house and well kept gardens located in the quiet Cornwall countryside offer visitors with an interesting place to visit. Pencarrow has a long history with generations of the Molesworth-St Aubyns, for nearly 500 years this has been their family home. It all started when John Molesworth first arrived here and today it is still currently owned by his descendants.
Visitors to the house can see it is a family home with a range of photos and children's toys in view, along with other pieces the house is well known for.
Visitors can get to know more about the house and its history with a guided tour of the house, the tour incorporates some 11 rooms. There are a range of fine art and furniture pieces for visitors to see here.
The Music Room is worth exploring, here visitors can see the rococo ceiling that depicts the four seasons there are fine mouldings of fruit, flowers and birds which are used to decorate the panelling.
The Pink Bedroom reveals a George IV four-poster bed, there are a number of family portraits in the bedroom including one of Catherine St. Aubyn, who was a pupil of the artist John Opie from Cornwall. Inside the Inner Hall are a couple of notable paintings by Samuel Scott of the Tower of London and London Bridge, these have been dated and signed back in 1755. Visitors can also view the Boudoir that was historically the personal sitting room of the lady of the house, the room looks towards the south of the house over the Italian Garden.
The Drawing Room contains a suite that is covered with Chinese silk that was captured from a Spanish treasure ship back in 1762. The piano was used by Sir Arthur Sullivan to help compose much of Iolanthe, he used the piano whilst staying at the house in 1886.
The Gardens at Pencarrow are regarded as a prime visitor attraction. Visitors can over 50 acres of gardens, the gardens are initially designed and laid out from 1831 to 1855 by Sir William Molesworth. The gardens have been derelict during the period before and after the Second World War, however the gardens were subject to an extensive restoration and replanting project led by Sir Arscott Molesworth-St. Aubyn that ensured the gardens were brought back to past glories. There were over 700 Rhododendron hybrids with over 60 different types of Camellias planted along with others, the fruits of this work can be seen by visitors to the gardens today.
The Italian Garden is well proportioned and has a prime role in the garden, it is located to the south of the house. The great rockery was built using big blocks of granite carried over from Bodmin Moor. Pencarrow is fortunate in that is contains some wonderful specimen trees and shrubs that visitors can spot when visiting. There are a range of trees and shrubs such as the broadleaf trees and flowering shrubs that are present here are in fact too tender to be grown in most parts of the UK.
The range of gardens are inspiring to see for visitors including the Mole's Garden and the memorial garden that boast some splendid views down the valley and back to the house.
The gardens also contain pools within the dammed stream and some interesting planting of grasses and shrubs which sway with the wind that comes from the lake. Visitors can look out for the special feature that is a cobbled area that depicts the badge of the 60th Rifles, the regiment of Sir Arscott’s regiment.
How to Get There
Pencarrow is most conveniently accessed by car:
By Car:
Pencarrow is located approx 260 miles from central London. The approx journey time is 4 hours 45 minutes from London. From London take the A4 then the M4 and exit the M4 at junction 20 and take the M5 all the way until junction 31 and exit on to the A30. Turn right at the sign for Helland/Launceston/A30, drive until the left turning toward Tredethy Road. Then turn left on to the B3266 and take the right turning for the house and gardens when the sign shows.
There are parking facilities on site.
For those using Satellite Navigation systems the postcode is PL30 3AG.
Contact Details
Pencarrow House
Pencarrow
Bodmin
Cornwall
PL30 3AG
United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 (0)1208 841369
email: info@pencarrow.co.uk
Website: Pencarrow House
Facilities & Information
Opening Times:
House is open from Easter time until the end of September:
Open between 11.00 until 17.00 (Sunday to Thursday)
Gardens are open from March until end of October)
Open between 09.30 until 17.30 (Daily)
NOTE: It is recommended visitors check before going to ensure the House & Gardens are open before going.
Further Information:
Admission:
House & Gardens:
Adults: £8.00 approx, Children: £4.00 approx & Family Ticket: £22 approx.
Gardens Only:
Adults: £4.00 approx & Children: £1.00 approx
Facilities:
For Disabled visitors there is wheelchair access on the ground floor of the house.
The Cafe offers a range of Cornish specialities with a range of cakes and cream teas along drinks, refreshments and light snacks.
The Gift shop sells a range of souvenirs, gifts, books and memorabilia.
There are toilets on site including disabled toilet facilities.
Map
View Larger Map
For Local Search and Directions see: Pencarrow House Map
Tips & Other Considerations
Opening hours may vary depending on the time of year and other factors. It is recommended visitors double check before going to ensure the attraction you wish to see is open.
Follow common sense travel safety tips and remain alert, vigilant and aware of your surroundings at all times. Ensure valuables i.e. your wallet/purse are hidden away from public view. If you have a bag try to use a shoulder bag with a good quality, strong strap, that is worn across your shoulder not on your shoulder making it more difficult for anyone to take your bag.
If you are travelling by car to Pencarrow in Cornwall, ensure you are well prepared with maps and Sat Nav to aid your journey, especially if you are not familiar with the local area and roads. Use the journey planning tool for door to door directions. Before you travel check for the latest traffic updates and news.
If you are travelling by public transport, check for service updates before you travel for any delays, disruption or cancellations to services that may impact on your journey. Ensure you have the service timetables for the public transport services you will be using. Remember when the last services are and ensure you make it to the train/bus/coach stops in time.
Disclaimer: The information given in on this website is given in good faith and to the best of our knowledge. If there are any discrepancies in no way do we intend to mislead. Important travel details and arrangements should be confirmed and verified with the relevant authorities.
