Outdoor Events at Pencarrow House and Gardens

Summer in Cornwall seems made for outdoor events, especially when the setting is as lovely as Pencarrow House and Gardens. Tucked between Bodmin and Wadebridge, the historic estate hosts a changing programme of live music, theatre, fairs and family activities throughout the year.

The calendar changes from season to season, but the setting is always part of the experience. Performances take place against the backdrop of the house and gardens, with plenty of space to settle in and enjoy an evening outdoors.

Outdoor entertainment at Pencarrow

Previous summer programmes have included tribute concerts, outdoor theatre and musical performances. The Live Queen Experience and The Upbeat Beatles brought familiar songs to the gardens, while productions such as Beauty and the Beast made the most of the atmospheric surroundings.

That mixture is one of the things I like about Pencarrow. One visit might involve live music and a picnic, while another could be a craft fair, a family day or an outdoor play. The programme varies each year, so it is worth looking at the current diary rather than assuming that an event from a previous summer will return.

You can find the latest dates and booking information on the Pencarrow events page.

A memorable place for a picnic

For events that allow picnics, the gardens make a wonderful place to spend an evening. A rug, something good to eat and a warm layer for later can turn the performance into a proper summer occasion.

Arrangements differ between events, so check the individual listing before setting off. Some performances have reserved areas or particular guidance about seating, food, dogs and arrival times.

Exploring the house and gardens

Pencarrow is much more than an event venue. It has been the home of the Molesworth-St Aubyn family for almost 500 years, and guided tours reveal hidden passageways, unusual statues and portraits whose eyes seem to follow you around the room.

Outside, there are 50 acres to explore. The grounds move from formal gardens into woodland walks, with an Iron Age hill fort, the sunken Italian Garden, an ice house, a palm house and an ancient Cornish cross among the things to discover.

The resident peacocks add a little more character. They wander through the grounds as though the whole place has been arranged for their benefit, which perhaps it has.

Visiting Pencarrow with a dog

Pencarrow’s gardens are dog-friendly and offer plenty of space for a woodland walk. As individual events may have their own arrangements, it is sensible to check the event information before bringing a dog to a performance.

Opening days and times vary through the year, particularly outside the main season. The opening times and prices page has the current visiting information.

Whether you go for the house, a walk through the gardens or an evening of entertainment, Pencarrow is one of those places where the setting becomes part of the day. An outdoor event is simply a particularly enjoyable excuse to visit.