Welcome to Stately Homes

This is the home of the Molesworth-St Aubyn family and definitely a lived-in house, not a museum, as you will find out when you visit; you will see all the things the family loves best, including their photos, hats on the classical statues and the grandchildren's toys left around - just like in your home. The smell of lunch being prepared might waft through from the private quarters, making you anticipate with pleasure your imminent visit to the tearooms for your own meal. Even Sambo and Oscar, the family pet dogs, love to welcome visitors too and often join in the guided tour. You can find out more on their Website.

The guided house tour takes in 11 rooms - these are some of the most important ones: The Music Room, outstanding features here are the rococo ceiling, depicting the four seasons, and the fine mouldings of birds, fruit and flowers which decorate the panelling.

The Pink Bedroom contains a George IV four-poster bed. Of the numerous family portraits in the bedroom, one of particular interest is the self-portrait of Catherine St. Aubyn, a talented pupil of the Cornish artist John Opie. Most of the family portraits in the Dining Room were painted by Sir Joshua Reynolds PRA. The figure above the mantlepiece is Sir John Molesworth, co-founder in 1771 of the banking house Sir John Molesworth & Company - the forerunner of our modern-day Lloyds TSB Bank. The suite in the Drawing Room is covered with Chinese silk captured from a Spanish treasure ship in 1762.

In the Inner Hall are two outstanding paintings by Samuel Scott of London Bridge and the Tower of London, signed and dated 1755. A picture of King Charles I, seated at his trial, hangs on the upper staircase wall: the artist, Edward Bower, is said to have attended the trial making sketches of the King. The Boudoir was the personal sitting room of the lady of the house, and looks south over the Italian Garden.

Garden:

The 50 acres of Grade II* listed gardens include the Italian Garden, lovely lawns with magnificent specimen trees, woodland walks and lots of flowering plants and shrubs. In Spring the Gardens and mile-long carriage drive are ablaze with camellias, rhododendrons and azaleas, as well as primroses and daffodils, closely followed by a haze of bluebells in May.

Later on the blue hydrangeas are a magnificent sight all around the gardens and lake. Did you know that the monkey puzzle tree got its name here? Charles Austin, a parliamentary lawyer, stayed here in 1834 and when he saw the 'Araucaria imbricata' he said, "That tree would puzzle a monkey", and the name stuck!

There are no restrictions on where you can walk - and you can walk on the grass. Children love to roll down the grassy slopes of the Italian Garden and of course there are lots of peacocks around - you can see them displaying in April and May. They have a team of just 3 looking after all this - they do a grand job! Gavin, the Head Gardener, takes his own cuttings and propagates many of the plants which are on sale in the Plant Shop. So, if you see something you like in the Gardens, you may well be able to take it home with you - the plant you have bought that is, not the whole bush.

Wedding ceremonies and receptions are held at Pencarrow too, what a beautiful place to have your special day.

Opening Times - 2010:

House, Peacock Cafe & Shop:
28th March - 30th September: Sunday - Thursday, 11 am - 5 pm (House last tour at 3 pm)

Gardens:
1st March - 31st October: Daily, 9.30 am - 5.30 pm.

Admission Prices - 2010:

House and Gardens:
Adult - £8
Child - £4
Family ticket - £22

Groups by arrangement (20 - 30):
Adult - £7
Child - £3.50

Groups by arrangement (31+):
Adults - £6
Child - £3

Gardens only:
Adult - £4
Child (5-15yrs) - £1

Groups by arrangement (20 - 30):
Adult - £3.50
Child (5-15yrs) - £1

Groups by arrangement (31+):
Adult - £3
Child (5-15yrs) - £1

Tea rooms provide light lunches and cream teas, credit Card transactions only available in the shop.

More information on this garden can be found on The Gardens Guide.