Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens

About the museum

Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens lie in a sheltered valley near Gulval, about two miles from Penzance, with views across Mount’s Bay to St Michael’s Mount. The land belonged to the monks of St Michael’s Mount until 1295, when a tenant farmer called Michael de Tremenheere bought it, and the family name stayed with the land for some 600 years. Later the Pearce family farmed it for four generations.

In 1997 Dr Neil Armstrong acquired the core of the valley and began to develop the gardens. Their planting is strongly structural and sub-tropical, with palms, tree ferns, succulents and bamboos, and a woodland bog garden follows the stream at the bottom of the valley. The gardens are described as interesting in every season.

Artists have made permanent works that respond to the landscape, including pieces by James Turrell, David Nash and Penny Saunders. Turrell’s Skyspace, Tewlwolow Kernow, is a chamber open to the sky that is used for events at dusk. A purpose-built two-floor gallery shows a changing programme of paintings, prints and other work, and the site also has a restaurant, a plant nursery and a shop.

Highlights

• James Turrell Skyspace, Tewlwolow Kernow
• Permanent sculptures by David Nash, Penny Saunders and others
• Sub-tropical planting with palms, tree ferns and succulents
• Views over Mount’s Bay to St Michael’s Mount
• Tremenheere Gallery with changing exhibitions

Permanent exhibition

• Sculpture gardens and Skyspace – Permanent artworks by artists including James Turrell, David Nash and Penny Saunders sit within sub-tropical planting, with Turrell’s Skyspace as a highlight.

Operated by

Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens

Admission & discounts

Prices are for single entry to the sculpture gardens; tickets can be booked online but booking is not required, and a ticket is valid all day. Entry to the gallery, restaurant, nursery and shop is free.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• 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

Because of steep ground rising to about 70 metres above sea level, access to the gardens is limited for visitors with physical disabilities, and the gardens are unsuitable for mobility scooters, wheelchairs and prams. The restaurant and gallery are fully accessible, and some sculptures can be seen from the car park and restaurant area. Visitors with concerns should speak to the ticket desk, which can suggest suitable paths. Well-behaved dogs on a lead are welcome throughout the gardens.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Stroller-friendly: not available

Children can pick up an adventure map from the ticket desk. The gardens have grassy areas to run around on and picnic spots, but the steep paths and steps are unsuitable for prams.

Getting there & parking

The gardens are about two miles from Penzance and less than a mile from the A30. Drivers follow the signs from Posses Lane for just over a mile. The site can also be reached on foot along St Michael’s Way and by bicycle along National Cycle Route 3.

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant
• Museum shop

Tremenheere Kitchen is the on-site restaurant, with views of St Michael’s Mount; booking is recommended and is handled by the restaurant. There is also a plant nursery and a gift shop. Picnics are welcome in the gardens but glass is not allowed.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 118 guests.

Licensed indoor and outdoor wedding venues include the Skyspace (up to 48 guests), the gallery (up to 58 guests), garden spots for up to 58 guests and a marquee lawn for up to 118 guests, with catering through Tremenheere Kitchen.

Plan your visit