Penlee House Gallery & Museum

This place had been on my to visit list, especially with being a fan of the local style of art and Penzance history. There was an environmental themed exhibition taking place, with the artwork chosen for display reflecting the theme. Downstairs, and a room upstairs contains the gallery with the rest being local history. I love visiting local museums as they are so unique as they reflect that specific area. I was very surprised however that there wasn't a display about the Branwell family and their connection to the Brontë sisters, besides the fact that house was formally owned by a member of the Branwell family (and this is mentioned a few times) There is an entry fee (£8 for adults)

I went to see fisherman's friends in penlee Park a lovely place really enjoyed it

We had a free, brilliant guided tour of the current exhibition, having timed it just right. This is probably our fourth visit to the Penlee Gallery which has some extraordinary Victorian and Edwardian Maritime themed paintings and a collection of Newlyn copper, Troika, Crysede, and other Newlyn/Cornwall related exhibits. Quite expensive for tickets but worth it if you’re visiting.

Being refurbed but nice compact exhibition open and facinating museum. Very good cafe for meals.

Always worthwhile checking out what's on as it puts on great painting exhibitions with a special focus on Cornish Art. Maybe a tadge expensive to get in but it doesn't usually disappoint. Permanent collection upstairs. Pics here are from the current (and excellent) Harold Harvey show and the permanent collection.

Wonderful local gallery that was purchased in 1946 by public subscription to be a War Memorial, which would also house the Town’s historic and art collections. Very friendly staff and volunteers. Excellent cafe with artisan delights, great soup, home baked scones and amazing puddings.

I really enjoyed my visit but was a tiny bit disappointed with the art exhibited. The small gift shop had a good variety of postcards, as well as other items. The café was doing a roaring trade & I sat outside in the sunshine with a local beer.

Unfortunately we visited on a chilly, wet day with our dog and found that we could only sit outside. If we had been able to sit inside (or at least somewhere warm & weatherproof) then we could have taken it in turns to lunch and then go around the gallery. Or if there wasn't a significant entry charge then we could have at least spent a short time each around there. As it was we left after a quick snack rather colder & damper than when we arrived!

Penlee House Art Gallery & Museum will introduce the visitor to painters from the Newlyn School of Art (an art colony that existed in Newlyn, a fishing village adjacent to Penzance, from the 1880s until the early years of the twentieth century. It was similar to groups like the Barbizon School in France, and the "en plein eir" movement in Calfornia). With this close a focus, you won't be surprised that the collection isn't huge, but it does include major works by regional painters like Stanhope Forbes. The admission price is UKP 5 (single adult), which seems reasonable. The concession price is UKP 4. The permanent Newlyn School display covers the second floor, where you will also find some small rooms with archaeological artefacts and objects from Penzance/Newlyn's social history, as well as photographic exhibits. When I visited, there was a temporary exhibition on over 70 works by SJ "Lamorna" Birch (1869-1955, see photos), a self-taught but talented (mostly) landscape painter who also mentored other local artists. Unfortunately, you are not allowed to take photos of the paintings (no such restrictions apply to the artefacts), but I did manage to "steal" a few shots to give you an impression of the kind of paintings that you can expect to see. Of course, various books on the Newlyn School (and others) are available from the smallish gallery shop. Staff were very friendly (and ever so politely told me to stop taking photos, which I did). Another highlight is the adjacent, atmospheric garden area, which is very inviting. Penlee House is one of the prettiest of the many small, regional museums in England that I've visited over the course of the past ten years, and also very family-friendly. But it will not occupy you for more than one hour, 1.5h max.

The home of the Newlyn School of Art, a famous 19th and 20th century art colony based in the nearby port of Newlyn. Some quite extraordinary and beautiful paintings are on display which are regularly updated and changed. There is also an interesting local history display.