Pencarrow House and Gardens

Pencarrow House & Gardens

Pencarrow House & Gardens is a still privately owned estate, although open to the public, belonging to the Molesworth-St Aubyns family.
The estate dates from the 18th century when politician Sir John Molesworth, 4th baronet, started construction of Pencarrow in the 1760's, which was an extension on to an older house dating from between the late 17th and early 18th centuries on the same site.
However, the gardens and woods are slightly more recent than Pencarrow House. They were made by the 8th baronet, Sir William Molesworth who was also a politician, between 1831 and 1835. It should not be forgot that Pencarrow Gardens contains an astonishing 700 different species of rhododendron!
Pencarrow, however, has been active for much longer than the 18th century. A Medieval wayside cross was found in the estate in 1870 and can still be seen today. Even older, a well preserved Iron Age hillfort is at the entrance to Pencarrow and is passed on the way in to the estate. The hillfort has views over the beautiful North Cornwall countryside towards St Mabyn, Camelford and beyond.
In more recent times, Pencarrow House & Gardens was used as a filming location in Doc Martin. It was also used as a filming location in the film 'Fisherman's Friends'.
Pencarrow House & Gardens is located just outside Washaway, between Wadebridge and Bodmin in North Cornwall.

A Visit to Pencarrow House & Gardens

Pencarrow House, built in the 18th century, is the family home of the Molesworth-St Aubyn family. Situated just outside Bodmin near the little village of Washaway, it is one of Cornwall's lesser known treasures. This video records a visit to the gardens and house in early June.