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Visit Penlee House & Museum

Penlee House is a Gallery, Museum, Cafe and Shop. Situated within Penlee Park, a space to reflect and great for family visits.

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A space for exhibitions & events

Alongside our Exhibition programme we run a variety of community events and workshops. The Newlyn School and Social history galleries change often. Find out what’s on.

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A space to learn

Penlee House is committed to lifelong learning. We run workshops for all age groups and offer a school workshop programme.

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A space for all

Built in 1865, as the home of the Branwell family. Penlee House is home to many paintings by members of the Newlyn School. It is also home to the Penzance Natural History and Antiquarian Society collection.

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You can search and browse our collections online. We also have a section dedicated to the Newlyn School.

 

A Painter Laureate: Lamorna Birch and his circle by Austin Wormleighton

We’re thrilled to announce the release of A Painter Laureate: Lamorna Birch and His Circle by Austin Wormleighton, published posthumously by Whitefox Publishing (£39.99).

Drawing on hundreds of personal letters, recollections, and family memories, this beautifully written book paints a vivid picture of life in the Lamorna artists’ colony in Cornwall — and the remarkable career of Lamorna Birch, one of its most beloved figures.

To mark the publication of this new, updated edition, Penlee House is hosting a special exhibition: Lamorna Birch: A Painter Laureate until 10 January 2026.

This one-room show features around 25 stunning paintings by Lamorna Birch, all from the collection of the late Austin Wormleighton, author of the biography and founding member (and long-time President) of The Lamorna Society.

Our thanks go to Jo Sunter for her invaluable help in staging this exhibition and for continuing Austin’s good work in bringing the new edition to life.

A Painter Laureate (Second Edition) is available now from the Penlee House Gallery Shop and online — the perfect companion to the exhibition.

Have you seen?

Visit Us

Penlee House is a beautiful art gallery and museum, set within sub-tropical gardens, with a great café.

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Exhibitions

Our vibrant exhibition programme celebrates the nationally important art and history of West Cornwall.

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Learning

From school visits to family activities, talks and walks, there are plenty of learning opportunities at Penlee House.

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Our Café

Enjoy a delicious lunch or coffee at the Orangery Café, with its sunny terrace overlooking the park.

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