Penlee House Museum and Gallery
Victorian house in Penlee Park showing Newlyn School paintings and about 6,000 years of West Cornwall history, with a café and a children's play area.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Penlee House was built in 1865 as the home of the Branwell family, in what is now Penlee Park in Penzance. It later became a gallery and museum run by the town. The museum's collections go back to 1839 and bring together holdings from Penzance Town Council, Cornwall Council and Newlyn Art Gallery, as well as the collection of the Penzance Natural History and Antiquarian Society.
The museum is known for its paintings by the Newlyn School, a group of artists who worked in and around Newlyn in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Works by artists such as Walter Langley, Elizabeth Forbes, Stanhope Forbes and Norman Garstin show everyday life, fishing families and the Cornish landscape.
The social history galleries cover roughly 6,000 years of West Cornish history, from prehistoric sites to more recent times, and have been refurbished. A programme of temporary exhibitions focuses on painting in West Cornwall. The house is owned and run by Penzance Town Council.
Highlights
- Newlyn School paintings by Stanhope Forbes, Elizabeth Forbes and Walter Langley
- Social history galleries covering about 6,000 years of West Cornwall
- Collection of the Penzance Natural History and Antiquarian Society
- Penlee Park with a memorial garden, sensory garden and play area
- Free entry for children and accompanying carers
Permanent exhibitions
- Newlyn School paintings – Paintings by artists of the Newlyn School, including works by Walter Langley, Elizabeth Forbes, Stanhope Forbes and Norman Garstin.
- Social history galleries – Galleries on about 6,000 years of West Cornwall history, from prehistoric sites to more recent social history, with the collection of the Penzance Natural History and Antiquarian Society.
- Founded
- 1839
- Operated by
- Penzance Town Council
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £8 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | £4Young people aged 18 to 26 and registered students with a valid student ID |
| Children & teens | freeChildren are admitted free; the website does not state an upper age limit. |
| Visitors with disabilities | –companion free · Accompanying carers enter free. |
| Students & apprentices | £4With a valid student ID. |
| Groups | –Groups must book in advance. |
Free entry for Friends of Penlee House, Penzance Pass holders (residents of Penzance parish), Art Fund members, Museums Association members, Cornwall Volunteers Scheme and Culture Card holders. Admission is half price while some galleries are closed for exhibition installation.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials
- Audio description
The museum describes its wheelchair and pushchair access as good, although two doorways are narrower, at 75 cm. A wheelchair can be borrowed during a visit, and there is seating in most galleries. Three Blue Badge spaces are at the rear of the house (enter by the Morrab Road entrance, postcode TR18 4EP), and the path from Alverton Street car park is level. An accessible toilet is available. Audio descriptions can be used on a loan device or a smartphone, ear defenders can be borrowed, and an access guide, an Easy Read guide and a sensory map can be downloaded. Assistance dogs on leads are welcome inside.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Stroller-friendly
- Baby changing facilities
- Playground / play area
Free gallery trails, creative materials, colouring sheets, 'Fishermen's Pockets' with toys and dressing-up. Regular activities are held for babies through to older children, including sessions for under-5s. The café offers children's portions and Penlee Park has a children's play area.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Alverton Street · 7-min walk
Penzance station (train and bus) is about 0.7 miles away; the walk goes up Market Jew Street and Alverton Street, then left into Morrab Road, or along the harbour. The nearest bus stop is Alverton Street, about 7 minutes through Penlee Park.
By car
Paid parking
Wellfields Car Park on Alverton Street is the main public car park, paid by cash, QR code or website; walk through the gate at its far end into Penlee Park. If it is full, there are other car parks off Penalverne Drive and Clarence Street. Three Blue Badge spaces are at the rear of the house.
- Accessible parking
Follow the brown tourist signs to Wellfields Car Park; the sat nav postcode is TR18 4HE. Coaches should park in the seafront car park at Wherrytown.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
- Wi-Fi
The Coach House Café has indoor and outdoor seating and serves cakes and light lunches. Free Wi-Fi is not stated, but Wi-Fi is available on site and is used for the audio guide. The gallery is part of the Penzance Community Toilet Scheme.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Free public guided tours are offered. Audio for the exhibitions is available through the Bloomberg Connects app, so visitors should bring headphones. Formal school visits are free but must be booked in advance. |
