Name: Penhallam Manor
Rating: 5.0

Penhallam Manor

Week St Mary, Holsworthy, Cornwall EX22 6XW, UK

1-99 Years

Website

Contact

Message

Description

Penhallam Manor The low, grass-covered but complete ground-plan of a moated manor house built by the de Cardinham family in the 13th century. These low, grass-covered ruins are the remains of a moated 13th century manor house built by Andrew de Cardinham.

Moated manor houses are found mainly in central and eastern England, but are rare in the south-west. Penhallam is therefore particularly unusual. Also having been abandoned in the 14th century, its full medieval ground plan has survived unaltered by later building work.

Free Entry. If you are looking for Best place for day out with kids and families then this is the perfect destination offering fun, adventure, and unforgettable memories for everyone.

Features

Free
Host birthday parties: No

Features

History of Penhallam Manor: These low, grass-covered ruins are the remains of a moated 13th century manor house built by Andrew de Cardinham. Moated manor houses are found mainly in central and eastern England, but are rare in the south-west. Penhallam is therefore particularly unusual. Also having been abandoned in the 14th century, its full medieval ground plan has survived unaltered by later building work.
The De Cardinhams: The de Cardinhams were a family of minor barons who profited from the favour of King John (reigned 1199–1216). John’s determination to recover Normandy, lost to the king of France in 1204, meant that he spent most of his reign trying to raise large sums of money.
Building History: Although Penhallam seems to have been built in various stages between the late 12th and early 14th centuries, Andrew de Cardinham is assumed to have been responsible for the main building phase, in the 1220s and 1230s.
Decline: Penhallam seems to have been lived in for a relatively short time. Andrew de Cardinham died in about 1256 without a male heir, and his lands were split equally between his daughters. By 1270 Penhallam had descended through the female line to the Champernowne family, and by the early 14th century it had been passed to tenants.
Description: The house was built round a quadrangle and the original entrance was across a drawbridge on the south side, on the site of the modern bridge. The drawbridge was operated from an early-13th century gatehouse on the edge of the island. Later in the century this arrangement was replaced by a fixed bridge with stone abutments at either end.
The South Range: Immediately to the right (east) of the entrance tower in the south range was a chapel: its stone benches and the base of an altar survive.
The East Range: In the east range, which seems to have been the first to be built, lay the owner’s private apartments at first-floor level.
The North Range: The north range is dominated by the hall: the remains of the dais – the site of the high table – are still visible at its east end, as are the stone-faced benches lining the east, north and south walls.
The West Range: The west range housed the kitchen, which seems to have been rebuilt in about 1300 – perhaps as a result of a fire – and a lean-to pantry. At the southern end of this range was a two-storey lodging for the household staff.

Facilities

Parking: A small free car park is situated at the head of a 1/2 mile track that leads to the manor. The car park is open from 10am - 6pm Apr - Oct & 10am - 4pm Nov - Mar daily. Pedestrian access to the site during reasonable daylight hours is still permitted outside of these times.
Toilets: Public toilets and a small shop can be found nearby in the village of Week St Mary.
Dogs: Dogs on leads are welcome.

Website

Contact

Price

Price: Free

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

Open any reasonable time during daylight hours.

Address: Week St Mary, Holsworthy, Cornwall EX22 6XW, UK

Post Code: EX22 6XW

Council: Cornwall

County: Cornwall

Road Access: Signposted from Week St Mary, off a minor road. From A39 heading north turn right at Treskinnick Cross. (10 minute walk from the car park along a forest track).
Bus Access: The nearest bus stop to Penhallam Manor is Treskinnick Cross on the A39. From there it is a 1.9mile / 3.1kms walk to Penhallam Manor along minor roads. Catch Go Cornwall Bus 95 from Wadebridge, Camelford, Tintagel or Boscastle, also from Bude or Widemouth Bay.
Train Access: The nearest station is Bodmin Parkway (27.5miles / 44.2kms). To reach Penhallam Manor catch Bus 11 from outside the station to Wadebridge, then change to Bus 95 for Treskinnick Cross.
Bicycle Access: Find this site on The National Cycle Network.
Parking: A small free car park is situated at the head of a 1/2 mile track that leads to the manor. The car park is open from 10am - 6pm Apr - Oct & 10am - 4pm Nov - Mar daily. Pedestrian access to the site during reasonable daylight hours is still permitted outside of these times.