Newlyn Art Gallery
Contemporary art gallery in Newlyn, Cornwall, with changing exhibitions, a studio and a café, run together with The Exchange in Penzance.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Newlyn Art Gallery opened in 1895 in the fishing village of Newlyn, on land given by the Le Grice family and with support from the philanthropist John Passmore Edwards. It was built to show work by the artists who had gathered in the area, and over time it grew into a contemporary art gallery with a programme that reaches well beyond Cornwall.
Today the gallery is run by Newlyn Art Gallery Ltd, an educational arts charity that also operates The Exchange, a second venue in the former telephone exchange in the centre of Penzance, acquired in 2007 when the Newlyn site was redeveloped. The two buildings are about 2 km apart along the seafront and share one admission pass.
The Newlyn building has several gallery spaces over two floors, a studio used for workshops and events, a shop and a garden café. Both venues show changing exhibitions by regional, national and international artists, supported by talks, workshops, family activities and learning programmes. The charity belongs to the Plus Tate network and receives support as an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation.
Highlights
- Changing contemporary art exhibitions by regional, national and international artists
- Historic gallery building from 1895 in Newlyn
- Studio for workshops and events
- Garden café and shop
- One pass admits to both Newlyn and The Exchange in Penzance
- Founded
- 1895
- Operated by
- Newlyn Art Gallery Ltd
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £9 |
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| Children & teens | freefree up to age 17 · Under 18s visit free, but must book ahead. |
| Students & apprentices | freeStudents visit free, but must book ahead. |
| Art Lover Pass (one year, both venues) | £30Unlimited entry for a year, a free hot drink at the cafés each month and 10% off shop and café purchases. |
| Penwith Pass (one year, both venues) | £5For residents of postcodes TR17 to TR20, TR26 and TR27; proof of residency needed. |
| National Art Pass admission | £4.5050% off standard admission for National Art Pass holders. |
The standard ticket is a pass that admits one person to both venues, Newlyn Art Gallery and The Exchange, for a year from the chosen first visit. Tickets can be bought at the front desk or booked online to reduce queues. Passes are non-transferable and non-refundable; events outside standard admission need a separate ticket.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Step-free access through the main door to the shop, reception, toilets and the two lower galleries, and also through the rear entrance. A lift with a handrail serves the upper floors and takes one wheelchair user and one other person. The route along the promenade via Newlyn Green is not wheelchair accessible because of a steep gravel ramp. There are two gender-neutral toilets, one fully accessible with baby changing facilities. A parking bay for visitors with limited mobility is directly outside the entrance; phone ahead to keep it free. A wheelchair can be borrowed from reception and an evacuation chair is available. Assistance dogs are welcome and water bowls are provided on request. The main glass door is heavy, but staff help during opening hours. Both venues are part of the National Safe Places network.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 17 |
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- Family tours & workshops
- Baby changing facilities
Free entry for children and young people under 18. The programme includes family activities and workshops for children.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Trains run to Penzance station, about 600 m from The Exchange. Buses run from Greenmarket in Penzance to Newlyn every 15 to 30 minutes. The two venues are about 2 km apart, a 20 to 30 minute walk along the seafront. Beryl Bikes e-bikes can be picked up and dropped off in Newlyn, Penzance and Mousehole.
By car
Paid parking
Newlyn has a pay-and-display car park. Penzance has several large pay-and-display car parks within walking distance of The Exchange, and JustPark offers discounted all-day rates. A bay for visitors with limited mobility is directly outside the gallery.
- Accessible parking
Amenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
The Newlyn Garden Café serves hot and cold drinks, snacks and light lunches; both venues have a shop. Payment is by card, contactless or mobile only; cash needs to be the exact amount.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Good to know | A quieter "Less Busy Visit" session runs on Fridays from 10:00 to 12:00, with a maximum of ten people per hour in the gallery. Well-behaved dogs are welcome in most areas but may be excluded from some exhibition spaces. |
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