Penlee House Gallery & Museum

This was a superb spot to visit, offering £4 entry for under 26s! Artwork is shown of not just seagulls but the other birds of Cornwall too like Gannets, artwork shows sailors at sea and the cliffs themselves some pieces look so realistic it is almost like being there. Appreciate Hilda Quick's detailed map of what to expect across Cornwall and the stuffed birds in glass displays, there are even crafted models of ones in different poses! Farmland artwork is beautiful capturing the rural areas and there is info about farming's history in the county, the model of a place of worship is really well done itself. Shop windows are marvellously replicated and tourism industry is dived into from the bikes to railways, paintings also capture Cornish society expertly!

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)

Always fabulous exhibitions, the current one about birds is great. Also my favourite painting "the rain it raineth ever day". Helpful and informed staff, nice cafe, though too busy when we visited, too much rain to sit outside!

A delightful gem of a gallery with interesting rolling exhibitions, we loved the one about Birds- some really beautiful and thought provoking artworks. Great for kids too!

Total gem of a gallery and museum. I was aware of the Newlyn School but didn't know much, now I'm a huge fan of their work. Yes, it is fairly small but if you spend time reading the information and actually studying the art you can spend a good amount of time there. And the museum section is just as interesting.

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.

What a lovely gallery that hosts some interesting exhibitions. It also houses the local museum. The cafe is extremely busy & on this visit I was unable to take advantage of it. Extremely friendly & informative volunteer guides.

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.

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.