Prideaux Place
An ancient Cornish house now a regular on our television and cinema screens.
Padstow, Cornwall, PL28 8RP
Facilities
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Accessible loos
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Accessible parking
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Cafe / restaurant
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Easily accessible without car
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Free parking
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Mostly wheelchair accessible
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Parkland / open spaces
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Pet friendly
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Shop
First recorded as being Lords of Prideaux Castle, Luxulyan 1000 years ago, the family has been based at Prideaux Place since 1592, still lived in by the family who built it.
The house, surrounded by 40 acres of landscaped grounds and with its ancient Deer Park, is a charming mix of Elizabethan, Strawberry Hill Gothic and Georgian eras. Each room has its own individuality from all these different ages and one of it has been spoilt by Victorian additions.
The 18th-century outbuildings in the Stable Courtyard are worth a visit by themselves and the newly restored gardens are a compliment to the 1740’s Temple, Exedra and the 1750’s Double Dairy and battlements. Here you can escape the hustle and bustle of Padstow and enjoy our fully licensed tearoom for a light lunch or Cream Tea overlooking the Deer Park to the Camel Estuary and beyond.
Now an international film location where such luminaries as Helena Bonham Carter, Imelda Staunton, Richard E Grant, Ralph Fiennes, Kiera Knightley, Joanna Lumley and Peter O’Toole and many other famous names have all acted.
Important information: opening info is generated by artificial intelligence; check specific attraction details before travelling.
The indicator above will show ‘open’ when the public have any kind of access to any part of this property. That could be the park, a shop, or a special event, and may not reflect regular admission times to the main attraction. Always consult the website of the house or garden you intend to visit before travelling to check that the attraction you are interested in is open.
Prideaux Place is a historic Elizabethan manor located in Padstow, Cornwall, and offers a variety of attractions and events for visitors. Below is a detailed summary of the opening times and conditions for visiting the house, gardens, and other facilities.
House Tours
The house is open for guided tours from Easter Monday, 6th April 2026, until Friday, 9th October 2026. Tours are available Monday to Friday from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm (last tour starts at 3:00 pm). Tickets can be purchased at the reception upon arrival, and no prior booking is required for individual visitors. The house remains closed on weekends.
Admission Prices for House Tours:
- Adults: £17.50
- Children (aged 12-16): £7.50
Group bookings for 15 or more people are available all year round by prior arrangement. Language-specific guided tours (e.g., German and French) can be arranged for groups. Exclusive VIP house tours for up to 10 people can also be arranged by appointment.
Gardens and Terrace Café
The gardens and the Terrace Café are open from Monday to Friday, 10:30 am to 4:30 pm, from Easter Monday, 21st April, to Friday, 3rd October. The café offers a variety of food and beverages, including the famous cream tea.
Admission Prices for Grounds Only:
- Adults: £5
- Children (aged 12-16): £3
Historic Deer Park
The deer park, home to one of the oldest herds of fallow deer in the country, can be viewed from the gardens and the Terrace Café. Deer feeding times vary, and visitors are encouraged to contact the administrator for specific feeding times.
Additional Information
Limited free parking is available on-site. For group bookings, cream teas, or exclusive tours, please contact the Office Administrator at 01841 532411 or via email at [email protected].
Prideaux Place is a member of the Historic Houses association.
Historic Houses members visit for free.
House tours: Adults – £17.50, Children 12 – 16, £7.50
Grounds only: Adults: £5, Children (12 -16 years): £3
Group Bookings for House Tours on Monday to Friday (15-people +)
Language Guided House Tour = £17.50 per person.
English Language Guided House Tour = £15.50 per person.
Exclusive VIP House Tours for 2025 are arranged by appointment with Office Administrator – Limited to 10-people maximum for Private House Tour & Cream Tea.
Getting here
Padstow, Cornwall, PL28 8RP
Padstow is easy to find, from the A30 take the Wadebridge/Padstow road where signposted.
The nearest railway station is Bodmin Parkway with bus connection to Padstow, just a 10 minute walk from the town centre.
There is currently no access through the East Gate (by the deer park) – please come in up the front drive. Limited free parking available.
Mrs Thatcher, as she was then, made an impromptu visit to the house when staying in Cornwall and Peter Prideaux-Brune answered the door. She asked if she could have a look around the house. Peter went to ask his father and was told rather abruptly 'no, not now, I'm having my lunch!' So Peter took her around and she was incredibly knowledgeable and charming.
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