About

Pencarrow, the much-loved home of the Molesworth-St Aubyn family for nearly 500 years, is tucked away in rolling countryside on the edge of Bodmin Moor. Set in 50 acres of Grade II* woodland and gardens, this Georgian house was redesigned in the 1770’s and boasts an impressive library with secret “jib” door, elegant but lived-in reception rooms, period bedrooms and collections of family prams, dolls, oriental porcelain, fascinating antique furniture and portraits including those by Sir Joshua Reynolds, Raeburn and more recently, Sir Oswald Birley.

The present owners can trace their occupancy back to the time of Queen Elizabeth I, when John Molesworth was appointed Auditor to the Duchy of Cornwall. However the most notable owner was the 8th baronet, Sir William Molesworth, born in 1810 and who soon took his place in Parliament as the “Radical Aristocrat” at the early age of 22. His passion for plants as well as politics saw him appointed as First Commissioner of Works and he was responsible for opening Kew Gardens on Sundays!  He was also Secretary of State for the Colonies, working to repeal the transportation of convicts to Australia. During his time at Pencarrow, he laid out the elegant Italianate Gardens and collected specimen conifers from around the world, some of which still tower over the rhododendrons and camellias that line the mile long carriage.

After the Second World War, during which time the gardens became neglected, another resurgence came with the arrival of Lt. Col. Sir Arscott Molesworth St Aubyn who set about restoring the grounds with the same enthusiasm as his ancestor William had done 150 years before.

There’s a surprise round every corner from the time you arrive - through a 2, 000 year old Iron Age hill fort and once you’ve started to explore you’ll discover a Victorian lake and ice house, grotto, massive rockery of Cornish granite boulders, superb specimen conifers and over many varieties of rhododendron, plus azaleas, magnolias and camellias galore.

Sample the delights of our Peacock Café and take home a unique gift from our gift shop which is full of wonderful creations made from local craft people