Penryn

Penryn is a town on the Penryn River near Falmouth in South Cornwall.

Understand

Penryn has a population of about 6,800 (2011). The town was mentioned in the Domesday Book as "Trelivel" and was named Penryn in 1216. Penryn was an important port from the 15th century.

The Penryn Campus was built in 2004, to house part of the University of Exeter (including the Camborne School of Mines) and part of Falmouth University.

Get in

See Transport for Cornwall for public transport information.

By plane

The nearest airport with international flights in Cornwall is Newquay Airport. From there, there are direct flights to locations in the UK, Channel Islands, Ireland, Germany, Denmark, Spain and Portugal. For further information see the airport website. The A5 bus links Newquay Airport to the town of Newquay, taking a half-hour to reach the bus or train station. From there it is possible to take another bus (91 or 93) to Truro, and the U1 to Penryn. This takes approximately 2 hours. All of these buses are operated by First Kernow.

By train

Penryn has a railway station, which is located on a branch line which joins the main line at Truro. The branch line trains have a frequency of once every half-hour during the day. See National Rail Enquiries for journey information.

By car

The A39 is the nearest main road to the Penryn Campus, which comes in from the North. This joins the A30 which is the main road into Cornwall at Carland Cross Roundabout.

Driving time is at least 4 hours 30 mins from Birmingham and 3 hours 40 mins from Cardiff.

By bus

Buses that arrive direct include the U1, U2 and U3 operated by First Kernow. During the day, the U1 has a half-hourly frequency travelling between Falmouth and Truro. The U2 provides a link to such exciting places as Redruth railway station.

There are National Express services (404 and 504 London Victoria-Penzance) that stop in Penryn. Note that not all 504 services go via Penryn, some of them take a different route through Cornwall. Megabus also have some routes to Falmouth.

Get around

Parking on the Penryn Campus is charged for between 9am and 5pm weekdays, outside these times free. Parking all day costs £6. See the campus website for details.

See

• 1 Penryn Museum, Higher Market St, ☏ +44 1326 372158. Mar-Nov: M-Th 10AM–3:30PM F 10AM–1PM. Volunteer run museum of local history, with exhibits including toys and a fire engine from the 1860s. The museum is in Penryn Town Hall which was built in 1839 when earlier buildings were remodelled. free. (updated May 2024)

Do

• Scuba diving:
  • Seaways Diving offer RIB and hard-boat diving, equipments sales, gas fills, servicing and BSAC training, including boat handling. Hard-boat dives on Fridays, and RIB dives on Sunday and Wednesday. ☏ +44 1326 375544 or visit shop on Commercial Road in Penryn.
• 1 Via Ferrata, Halvasso, Penryn TR10 9BX, ☏ +44 1326 341904. Daily 10AM-4PM. You get to clamber along quarry walls with various metal wires and steps. from £25. (updated May 2024)
• Rugby league: Cornwall RLFC play the 13-a-side game at Memorial Ground Penryn, in League One the third tier. The playing season is Feb-Sep.
• Raze the Roof, 30a Parkengue, Kernick Rd, ☏ +44 1326 377481. Indoor playground. (updated May 2024)

Buy

There are a selection of small independent shops in the town centre, in Market Street (near the museum) and on Commercial Road.

• 1 ASDA, Jennings Road, TR10 9LY. M-Sa 6AM-10PM, Su 10AM-4PM. large supermarket, with cafe (M-Sa 8:30AM - 6PM, Su 10AM-4PM). (updated May 2024)

Eat

• 1 Muddy Beach, Jubilee Wharf, ☏ +44 1326 374424, bookings@muddybeach.com. 9AM-9PM daily. Cafe with indoor and outdoor seating, serving a simple menu, cocktails and hot drinks. Occasional evening music. Has a children's menu. mains £11-22. (updated May 2024)
• 2 Bango Kitchen, 11B Commercial Rd, ☏ +44 7852 572731. Tu W noon-2:30PM, Th-Sa noon-8:30PM. Asian-fusion. (updated May 2024)

Drink

• 1 Seven Stars Penryn, 73 The Terrace, ☏ +44 1326 531398, info@sevenstarspenryn.co.uk. Noon-11PM daily. Brewpub. (updated May 2024)
• 2 Verdant Brewing Co, 30, Parkengue Kernick Industrial Estate. Tu-Sa 11AM-11PM, Su noon-10PM. Brewery & taproom, with 16 beers on tap, and pizza (kitchen closes 9PM). (updated May 2024)

Sleep

• 1 The Thristy Scholar, 18 West St, ☏ +44 1326 372996, adelebeare57@gmail.com. Bed & breakfast with an onsite pub. (updated May 2024)

Go next

• Falmouth is just 10 minutes east by driving