GALLERIES & MUSEUMS

Public Galleries

The Penwith area is said to have the highest concentration of artists in Britain outside London and this is reflected in the numerous public and private galleries and artists’ studios in the area. Public Galleries include:-

Penlee House Gallery & Museum

A two minute walk from Venton Vean through Penlee Park, the gallery and museum specialises in The Newlyn School of Artists such as Stanhope Forbes ( www.penleehouse.org.uk )

The Newlyn Art Gallery and The Exchange

The Newlyn Gallery and sister gallery, The Exchange in Penzance, both with changing contemporary exhibitions (www.newlynartgallery.co.uk )

Tate St Ives

Specialising in the St Ives modernists but with great contemporary temporary exhibitions (www.tate.org.uk/stives )

Barbara Hepworth Museum and Garden

World class museum in the sculptor’s studio (www.tate.org.uk/stives/hepworth )

Leach Pottery, St Ives

Former home and pottery of the influential Bernard Leach (www.leachpottery.com )

The Jackson Foundation

Beautiful gallery space in St Just (6 miles from Penzance) showcasing work and exhibitions from Cornish artist Kurt Jackson

Museums and Other Attractions

St Michael’s Mount

Stunning National Trust castle (Marazion – 3 miles – www.stmichaelsmount.co.uk )

PK Porthcurno Museum

Fascinating museum devoted to global communications. The museum explores the history of undersea telegraph cables laid from Porthcurno across the world during the 19th and 20th Centuries (7 miles – www.pkporthcurno.com)

Levant mine at Pendeen

World Heritage site – 6 miles

Godolphin

Atmospheric National Trust house and gardens – 6 miles

Nearby fishing villages and coves which make for a great wander include Mousehole, Penberth, Lamorna, Zennor, Porthgwarra and Prussia cove all within 3 – 8 miles from Penzance

Further Afield

Although there is plenty to see and do in the Penzance Area, worthwhile trips further afield include:-

The National Maritime Museum and Pendennis castle – Falmouth

The Royal Cornwall Museum – Truro

Trelissick Gardens and Trewithen Gardens – Both near Truro

Trerice Elizabethan manor house – Outside Newquay

The Eden Project – St Austell

The Lost Gardens of Heligan – St Austell