Pencarrow

About the museum

Pencarrow is a Georgian mansion on the edge of Bodmin Moor, still lived in by the Molesworth-St Aubyn family, who first settled here in the 1500s. The name is Cornish for head of the valley or high fort, and visitors drive down a mile-long carriageway through an Iron Age hill fort. The Molesworths were brought to Cornwall by John Molesworth, who became Auditor to the Duchy of Cornwall under Elizabeth I, and later generations won titles and increased the family fortune from farming and mining.

The present house was designed and built by the architect Robert Allanson of York in the 18th century, in the fashion for Greek and Roman antiquity, and its east and south fronts were inspired by the Venetian architect Andrea Palladio. Inside are panelling, a rococo ceiling, a cantilever stone staircase and stained glass. Sir William Molesworth, the eighth baronet, redecorated the house before his wedding in 1844 and also laid out the gardens between 1831 and 1855 with his head gardener, Thomas Corbett.

The house was uninhabited in the middle of the 20th century. In the 1970s Lieutenant Colonel Sir Arscott and Lady Molesworth-St Aubyn began to restore it and reclaim the overgrown gardens, and they opened the doors to the public. The family now lives in one wing, so the rest can be shown. The collection includes portraits by Sir Joshua Reynolds, views of London by Samuel Scott, Meissen and Chinese porcelain, glass pens made for the Great Exhibition of 1851 and the large Qianlong famille rose bowl known as the Pencarrow Bowl.

Highlights

• Family portraits by Sir Joshua Reynolds
• The Qianlong Pencarrow Bowl and a collection of Chinese and European porcelain
• Georgian house still lived in by the same family since the 1500s
• 50 acres of gardens with an Iron Age hill fort and the first Victorian rock garden in England
• Peacock Cafe and a children's play area

Permanent exhibitions

• The house and family collection – Rooms with panelling, a rococo ceiling and a cantilever staircase hold portraits by Reynolds, porcelain including the Pencarrow Bowl, Adam furniture and family artefacts such as an 1840 portable shower.
• Gardens and Iron Age fort – Formal planting, ancient woodland, the Italian Garden, an ice house, a grotto and a Victorian rock garden laid out by Sir William Molesworth.

Founded

1760

Operated by

Molesworth-St Aubyn family

Admission & discounts

A printable voucher saves £1 off each full-paying adult admission to the house and gardens. Parking is free but all visitors need to register their visit in the shop. Pencarrow is not part of the National Trust.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

A wheelchair is available to borrow and electric wheelchairs are allowed, but mobility scooters are not allowed inside the house. There are chairs in most rooms. Visitors who find stairs difficult can watch a film of the upper floor downstairs. The gardens have both short and long circular walks, some with wheelchair access. Guide dogs and assistance dogs are allowed in the house; other dogs are not.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Playground / play area

Pencarrow describes itself as child friendly: under 5s are free, ages 5 to 16 pay £5 and under 16s enter the gardens free. There is a children's play area with a slate-roofed Wendy house. The house tour may bore very young children and babies because they cannot touch things or run around.

Getting there & parking

Pencarrow lies between Bodmin and Wadebridge; look out for the brown tourist signs. Satnav can lead to a farm track, so follow the signs.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop

The Peacock Cafe serves light lunches, home-made cakes with gluten-free options and cream teas made with local produce; entry to the cafe is free but visitors should register in the shop first. The gift shop sells local food and drink, soaps, cosmetics and cards, and a plant shop sells herbs, flowers, shrubs and trees. Dogs and pets are welcome in the gardens.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Weddings / ceremonies

Weddings and camping enquiries go to the weddings contact; the site also hosts craft fairs.

Plan your visit