Pencarrow House
Cornwall, England
Key facts
- Operator
- Molesworth-St Aubyn family
- Condition
- Intact
- Access
- Staffed, ticketed
Pinpoint
Washaway, Bodmin PL30 3AG
Telephone 01208 841369
Possible Opening Hours*
*Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
| Monday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Thursday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Friday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
Pencarrow is a Georgian house occupied by the same family for over 500 years. Reviewers rate the guided house tour highly, describing roughly an hour of family history and a wide range of objects, with different guides drawing out different threads. The gardens are described as a lovely walk and the tea room, particularly the scones, comes up again and again.
Worth the trip
The guided house tour - reviewers say the guides make 500 years of one family's history genuinely absorbing.
Before you go
Reviewers advise arriving early as it gets busier through the morning; several also mention the gardens being manageable for those with limited mobility.
The guided house tour is the element reviewers single out most, with individual guides named and thanked and the commentary described as detailed and better than expected; several put the length at around an hour. Visitors also recommend leaving time for the gardens, mentioning both the formal Italianate planting and the informal walk out towards an ancient hill fort, and spring visitors highlight the azaleas, rhododendrons, bluebells and wisteria. The tea room is well received, with the cream tea and freshly baked scones praised, and one reviewer rated the cafe above many National Trust equivalents. Practical points that recur include ample free parking, a gift shop and book shop, and one reviewer's comment that the gardens are reasonably manageable for those with limited mobility or pushchairs. Several note it becomes busier as the morning goes on.
Georgian house occupied by the same family for over 500 years.
“An amazing place to visit. Staff are amazingly friendly and helpful. The house tour was fantastically informative with our guide Kat. Lasted about 1 hour. Cafe was great, better than alot of natioal trust (but not…”- Darren Cooper, visitor review
Practical notes from visitors
Quoted from individual Google reviews, not verified with the operator - treat as a steer, not gospel, and check before you travel.
- Parking
- “A gift shop in the car park and book shop are also great.” - CHRISTINA BROOKS
- Guided tours
- “The guide was fantastic, providing lots of interesting nuggets of information.” - Frances Orchard
- Terrain & accessibility
- “Quite easy for those with limited mobility or parents with pushchairs.” - Frances Orchard
- Facilities
- “Nice little cafe, with light lunches on offer as well as tea, coffee and cake (which were fab).” - Mark Poley
Common questions about Pencarrow House
Where is Pencarrow House?
Pencarrow House is in Cornwall, England, at Washaway, Bodmin PL30 3AG.
Do you need a ticket to visit Pencarrow House?
Yes - Pencarrow House is a staffed, ticketed attraction run by Molesworth-St Aubyn family. Ticket prices and opening hours change through the year, so check the official site before travelling.
What is the highlight of visiting Pencarrow House?
The guided house tour - reviewers say the guides make 500 years of one family's history genuinely absorbing.
Is Pencarrow House a ruin or still intact?
Pencarrow House is largely intact - Georgian house occupied by the same family for over 500 years.
