Newlyn art community

The Newlyn School is a group of artists who came to live and work in Newlyn or the surrounding area between the 1880s and the early twentieth century. They painted en plein air (in the open air). Perhaps best known are: Stanhope Forbes, Elizabeth Forbes, Walter Langley, Harold Knight, Laura Knight, Harold Harvey. There is much documentation about the school at Penlee House.

The collection is kept at Penlee House rather than the Newlyn Gallery because Newlyn Gallery maintains a tradition of showing modern art. 

Newlyn Gallery & Exchange Gallery in Penzance Town Centre host the best of conceptual and modern art. Together with St. Ives Tate and Penlee House the four galleries host major national and international exhibitions, as well as showing the work of the Newlyn School of Art, who offer a wide range of high quality art courses run by some of the most exciting artists in the region. Read more about art classes at Newlyn school of art on our blog. Thus the area which has inspired so many artists celebrates its artistic heritage while maintaining strong links with the art world of today. 

Things to do near Newlyn

While self catering in Newlyn, why not leave the car behind and take the gorgeous mile-long walk along the promenade to the famous harbour town of Penzance. With the backdrop of Mounts Bay, St Michael’s Mount glistens in the distance, with the Isles of Scilly just a short boat trip away. To indulge your inner shopperholic you'll find a whole host of shops in the town centre.  Our tip would be to pay a visit to the famous Chapel Street  for some great independent shops - and then relax in one of the town’s many cafes and bars.

Trereife Manor House & Gardens 

Located on the outskirts of Newlyn, Trereife Estate offers a great day out, with a centuries old manor set amongst beautiful gardens. Stop off at the Stableyard Cafe for a quick bite or cup of coffee after a day at the beach, or enjoy the stunning surroundings at your own pace. Well worth a visit on a sunny day.

Places to visit in Newlyn

Newlyn Art Gallery

A 'must see' is the conveniently located Newlyn Art Gallery, which combines contemporary artwork and sculptures from international and local artists. With amazing views of the harbour from the cafe, this dog friendly gallery is well worth a visit, and best of all, its free entry!

Jelberts Ice Cream

Whether staying in Newlyn, or just enjoying a day out at the UK's largest fishing port, a visit to Jelberts is a must. Serving up specialist vanilla ice cream with a dollop of clotted cream on top, this family run business is well known for making the best ice cream in the area. 

Newlyn Filmhouse

Opened in 2016, the sophisticated Newlyn Filmhouse is a fantastic cultural addition to the harbour village. This independent two-screen cinema offers a high-end cinema experience, showcasing mainstream and world cinema. The filmhouse also houses a café and bar, serving seasonal food with local ingredients. If you have the opportunity, we highly recommend you plan a trip to Newlyn Filmhouse.

Events in Newlyn

Newlyn Fish Festival

Celebrating Newlyn's rich fishing heritage, the Newlyn Fish Festival takes place each year in August. Taste some of the finest seafood imaginable and enjoy cookery demonstrations, live music and arts and crafts. The Cornish fishmonger of the year competition takes place and with the ever-popular 'Fishy Trail' there's plenty to keep the kids entertained. Read our blog post on the Newlyn Fish Festival.

Newlyn Raft Race

Each summer, Newlyn hosts a raft race, where locals build their own rafts and battle it out in this popular event. From welly-throwing to tug-of-war, there's plenty to keep you entertained.