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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.

 

West Cornwall Studio Pottery 1920 – 1980

16 January 2010 until 13 March 2010

West Cornwall’s distinguished cultural history not only played host to two of Britain’s most important art colonies, the Newlyn and St Ives Schools, but also boasts what many consider to be the birthplace of British studio pottery, the Leach Pottery in St Ives.  

During the mid 20th century, a host of pottery studios opened up in Penwith, supplying both decorative and functional ceramics to the tourist market and to local homes.  Some were longer-lived than others – and indeed several still survive today – while work by some of the now defunct studios has become highly collectable.  

This modest exhibition seeks to give a flavour of the kind of work being produced and purchased in the Penwith area between 1920 and 1980, and of the range of studios and potters working here.  The show includes works from the Leach, Troika, Celtic, Tremaen and Lamorna potteries, and by individual potters such as John Bedding, Alan Brough, Eric Leaper and William Marshall on loan from public and private collections.

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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