Join
Enjoy access to more than 500 places with National Trust membership. Join today and help protect nature, beauty and history – for everyone, for ever.
Penrose
Wooded country around Cornwall's largest natural lake. Penrose features woodland tracks, stretches of coastline and open parkland, the perfect backdrop for a day out.
Penrose, Helston, Cornwall, TR13 0RD
Opening times for 7 December 2023
Asset Opening time Penrose Estate Dawn - Dusk Stables Café 10:00 - 15:00 MTWTFSS2728293012345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031OpenPartially openClosedBook shop
A small selection of second hand books available in the cafe
Dogs
Please keep dogs on a short lead around livestock.
Cafe
The Stables cafe is open daily for hot & cold drinks, cakes & light refreshments. Call 01326 562882 for more information.
Toilet
Toilets located at The Stables cafe.
Car park
Penrose Hill car park - donations welcome. Helston Fairground - free public car park
Car parks at Penrose Hill, Degibna, Chyvarloe, Highburrow and Parc-an-als. Dogs welcome at Penrose. Naturally uneven woodland and coastal paths. We do not allow boating, watersports or fishing at Loe Pool. Please do not swim or enter the water at Loe Bar or Loe Pool at any time.
Accessible route and/or map
Level access to food outlet
Accessible toilet
Located at The Stables cafe.
Seating available
Outside seating and small indoor seating area by The Stables café.
Induction loop
Steps/uneven terrain
By road
Penrose Estate is 2 miles S-W of Helston on the B3304, just south of Porthleven.
Parking: Donation car parks also at Degibna, Chyvarloe, Highburrow and Parc-an-als.
Sat Nav: For Penrose Hill car park use TR13 0RD. For fairground car park (not National Trust) use TR13 8WN.
On foot
The South West Coast Path visits the property at Loe Bar, take the footpath on the north side of Loe Bar for walks through the parkland or on the south side of Loe Bar for woodland and farmland walks. From Helston access through Degibna or Helston Drive. From Porthleven access via Penrose Hill or Highburrow. Download the property map for further details.
By train
Penzance train station 10 miles from Porthleven
By bus
From Penzance train station, take First 2/2A or 7/8 Penzance-Falmouth via Porthleven
By bicycle
From Porthleven take the coast road along to Penrose Hill, there are rides throughout the parkland and woodlands at Penrose, download the property map for details.
Planning your visit
Tree planting at Penrose
You can help us plant over 10 hectares of new woodland at Penrose to help secure nature at Penrose for future generations. We’d like as many volunteers and local people to help us as possible. All tree planting events are family friendly and we welcome everyone of any age to join us.
Social walks at Penrose
Enjoy a gentle stroll at Penrose, as part of our social walk series. Everyone is welcome regardless of walking experience or ability.
Article
Visiting Penrose with your dog
Discover dog-friendly walks through the meandering Penrose estate, taking in ancient woodland, parkland, creek side pathways and the exposed beach of Loe Bar on the South West Coast Path.
PDF
Highlights
The estate
Seventeen miles of path and multi-use trails waiting to be explored through woodland, plantation and parkland.
Loe Pool
The largest natural freshwater lake in Cornwall, home to a variety of wildlife and renowned for its bird population.
Loe Bar
A dramatic shingle dam across the River Cober, heaped up by heavy Atlantic seas and the final resting place of many shipwrecks.
The walled garden
An eighteenth century kitchen garden being lovingly restored by volunteers into a community space. Visitors are welcome to picnic here in dry weather.
The Stables cafe
Sat in the heart of the estate in an 1780s stable block, serving take away hot drinks & light snacks with outdoor seating in the courtyard.
Eating
Eating at The Stables cafe
The Stables cafe is open every day (except Christmas Eve & Christmas Day) and is situated at the heart of Penrose, offering hot and cold drinks and a range of cakes and biscuits. There are wooden picnic tables in the courtyard where you can enjoy a well-earned rest with your drink or feel free to head to the walled garden and enjoy a lie down on the grass in the warmer months. Remember that every cuppa and sweet treat you buy helps us look after Penrose for everyone, for ever.
Things to see and do
Article
Things to do in the countryside at Penrose
The open spaces at Penrose are ideal to explore. Walk through the parkland or take the family on an adventure in the woods.
Activity
Cycling and horse riding at Penrose
There are acres to explore on your visit to Penrose, and it doesn’t have to be on foot. Miles of bridleways are waiting to be discovered on your horse, or by bike.
Spotlight events
Join us on a social walk or take part in our tree planting event to help us secure nature at Penrose for future generations.
Social walks at Penrose
Enjoy a social stroll at Penrose as part of our social walk series. Everyone is welcome regardless of walking experience or ability.
Tree planting at Penrose
You can help us plant over 6 hectares of new woodland at Penrose to help secure nature at Penrose for future generations. We’d like as many volunteers and local people to help us as possible. All tree planting events are family friendly and we welcome everyone of any age to join us.
Discover autumn leaves on an adventure at Penrose
Throughout November, free autumn leaf spotter sheets will be available for all explorers at Penrose. Sheets can be collected from The Stables café and are free of charge.
Places to stay
Whitstone Cottage
A traditional white-washed cottage with a thatched roof and a country rustic interior.
Penrose Stables
A contemporary apartment in an 18th-century stable block on the Penrose estate.
Helston Lodge
Perching above the Loe, this former gate lodge is the perfect lakeside location.
Bar Lodge
A stay with a view, this remote hideaway perches just above Loe Bar Beach.
Degibna Lower Pentire Farm House
A lakeside hideaway with a country cottage interior and an enclosed garden.
Degibna Lower Pentire Barn
A sophisticated barn conversion with a timber-frame ceiling and views over Carminowe Creek.
Penrose Bunkhouse
Hassle-free bunkhouse accommodation for those who want to spend more time exploring the Cornish coast than indoors.
Winnianton Farmhouse
A newly refurbished farmhouse situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with views of Church Cove and surrounding farmland
Upcoming events
Event
Penrose tree planting
Help us plant a tree and help secure nature at Penrose for future generations.
About Penrose
Loe Pool, the largest natural freshwater lake in Cornwall, is cut off from the sea by a broad shingle bar heaped up by heavy Atlantic seas.
Penrose is a mixture of rich farmland and woodland around Loe Pool, through which there are many paths to explore by foot, bike or on horseback. Penrose is met by the coast at Loe Bar a site of many historical shipwrecks.
Our work
Article
Our work at Penrose
From wetlands to former tin mines, Penrose has plenty to be cared for. Discover how we're conserving the estate’s rich wildlife habitats and history for everyone to enjoy.
News
Cornwall set to bloom as major grassland creation project begins
Clifftops and fields across Cornwall are set to be transformed into thriving wildflower meadows, thanks to a new three-year conservation project.
Support us
Volunteer with us
Search for live volunteering opportunities, or register your interest with Penrose.