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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
Important notice
The Stables Cafe, toilets, and Gunwalloe Kiosk will be closed 8 May, for Helston Flora day. Reopening as normal on 9 May.
Opening times for 11 May 2025
Asset Opening time Penrose Estate Dawn - Dusk Stables Café 10:00 - 16:00 Second-hand bookshop 10:00 - 16:00 MTWTFSS282930123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930311OpenPartially openClosed- Bookshop
A small selection of second hand books available in the cafe
Bookshop - more information- Café
The Stables cafe is open daily for hot & cold drinks, cakes & light refreshments. Call 01326 562882 for more information.
Café - more information- Car park
Penrose Hill car park - donations welcome. Helston Fairground - free public car park
- Dogs allowed
Please keep dogs on a short lead around livestock.
Dogs allowed - more information- Toilet
Toilets located at The Stables cafe.
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
- Accessible toilet
Located at The Stables cafe.
- Induction loop
- Level access to food outlet
- Seating available
Outside seating and small indoor seating area by The Stables café.
- 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 or what3words///older.ideal.directive. For fairground car park (not National Trust) use TR13 8WN or what3words:///fortress.condition.burn
- 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
- Cycling
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
Article
Eating & shopping at Penrose
Find out where you can enjoy a hot drink or tasty treat while exploring at Penrose, whether you’re looking to grab a coffee on the go, take in a light lunch or find a bargain from the second-hand bookshop.
Article
Family-friendly things to do at Penrose
Discover everything you need to know about visiting with a family, including the best spot to picnic and activities you can get involved with such as family-friendly walks this summer and 50 things to do before you’re 11¾.
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.
Penrose family & social walks
Get out and about with a social or family-friendly stroll at Penrose as part of our walk series. Led by a volunteer walk leader, these walks are free of charge and offer the opportunity to get some fresh air and spend time in nature. Everyone is welcome regardless of walking experience or ability. All walks starting at free Fairground car park in Helston are fully accessible.
PDF
PDF
Penrose map
A map of all footpaths, multi-use trails and accessible routes at Penrose to help you plan your visit.
Highlights
Countryside
Seventeen miles of path and multi-use trails waiting to be explored through woodland, plantation and parkland. Maps for a variety of trails available.
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 sandwiches, hot toasties, hot & cold drinks, cakes & scoop ice cream, with outdoor seating in the courtyard & a new indoor seating area.
Secondhand Bookshop
Located at the indoor seating area of the cafe, all funds raised from the sale of books goes straight into the ongoing care of the walled garden at Penrose.
Spotlight events
Drolla story telling bench and Celebrating People and Place photography exhibition
Drolla the story telling bench continues its journey across the protected landscapes. Stopping at Penrose 11 June - 31 August, alongside a photography exhibition displaying the winning photos from Cornwall National Landscape’s 2024 photography competition.
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.
Article
Family-friendly things to do at Penrose
Discover everything you need to know about visiting with a family, including the best spot to picnic and activities you can get involved with such as family-friendly walks this summer and 50 things to do before you’re 11¾.
Top trails
Trail
Helston to the Stables Café accessible woodland trail
This multi-use level and well-surfaced path can be used by walkers, runners, horse riders, and users of mobility scooters, wheelchairs, pushchairs and bicycles. Wind your way through the Penrose woodland, taking in views of Loe Pool, from Helston's free Fairground car park, to the National Trust's, Stables Cafe.
Trail
A walk around Loe Pool
Discover the landscape around Cornwall's largest natural lake, on this 10km circular trail. Explore woodland, marshland and the coast, while keeping the lake in sight. Just after the halfway mark, stop and recuperate some energy at the Stables Cafe.
Trail
Higher Penrose and the Parkland walk
This 4 mile circular walk will take you through Penrose woodland, parkland and along one side of Loe Pool, stopping at the Stables Cafe 3/4 of the way around.
Trail
Degibna and Higher Pentire walk
This circular, 2.5 mile trail makes its way through Higher Pentire farm and then along one side of Loe Pool.
Trail
Chyvarloe to Gunwalloe Fishing Cove
This 3 1/4 mile circular trail, will take you along a section of Loe Pool and beginning the SW Coast Path at Loe Bar, you will take in coastal views to Gunwalloe Fishing Cove. Where you will then return to the start point via the road and in-land fields.
Trail
Plantations and parkland walk
Enjoy a wild ramble through the woods at Penrose, followed by a gentle stroll through the Victorian parkland.
Eating and shopping
Article
Eating & shopping at Penrose
Find out where you can enjoy a hot drink or tasty treat while exploring at Penrose, whether you’re looking to grab a coffee on the go, take in a light lunch or find a bargain from the second-hand bookshop.
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 refurbished farmhouse situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with views of Church Cove and surrounding farmland
Upcoming events
Event
Penrose family walks
Join us for a family friendly walk at Penrose. You will be guided by our volunteer walk leaders. This walk is open to everyone, including families with children.
Event
Penrose social walks (Degibna)
Join us for a social walk at Penrose, guided by a volunteer walk leader.
Event
Penrose social walks (Fairground car park)
Join us for social walk at Penrose, guided by a volunteer walk leader.
Event
Penrose family walks - Penrose Hill
Join us for a family friendly walk at Penrose, guided by our volunteer walk leaders. Everyone welcome including families with children.
Event
Drolla story telling bench and Celebrating People and Place photography exhibition
Drolla the story telling bench continues its journey across the protected landscapes. Now stopping at Penrose, alongside a photography exhibition displaying the winning photos from Cornwall National Landscape’s 2024 photography competition.
Event
Penrose social walks (Chyvarloe)
Join us for a social walk at Penrose, guided by a volunteer walk leader.
Event
CAST-Off school holiday art programme
The CAST-Off programme of free artist-led creative activities will return this summer, with sessions taking place on Saturdays from 26 July to 23 August in the Walled Garden at Penrose.
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.
To maintain the sense of peace, fishing and recreational activities aren't allowed on the pool. No swimming in Loe Pool or off Loe Bar.
Our work
Article
Our work at Penrose
From wetlands to former tin mines, tree planting to coastal meadow creation, discover how the rangers and volunteers are conserving the estate’s rich wildlife habitats and history for everyone to enjoy.
Project
Project
Cornish coastal meadows project
We are working to create 250 hectares of new species rich grassland at National Trust sites across Cornwall. The project, due to be completed by 2026, will help us rise to the twin challenges of biodiversity loss and climate change.
Support us
Volunteer with us
Search for live volunteering opportunities, or register your interest with Penrose.