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Prideaux Place

An Elizabethan manor house and deer park above the Camel Estuary, Padstow

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Prideaux Place, Padstow, Cornwall PL28 8RP

01841 532411

Prideaux Place is a rare thing in Cornwall - a grand Elizabethan manor house that is still a genuine family home. Built in 1592 by Sir Nicholas Prideaux, it has belonged to the same family for over 400 years, and their descendants live there to this day, opening parts of the house and its grounds to visitors each summer.

The house began life as a classic Elizabethan E-shaped mansion, but has been reshaped by successive generations of Prideaux across the centuries. Edmund Prideaux incorporated fittings salvaged from the demolished Stowe House in the 18th century, including a dramatic cantilevered staircase, while the Reverend Charles Prideaux-Brune remodelled the south front between 1810 and 1833 in the ornate "Strawberry Hill Gothic" style, inspired by Horace Walpole's Strawberry Hill House. Today the house's 81 rooms hold fine art, royal portraits and the notable Prideaux family porcelain collection.

Prideaux Place, Padstow, Cornwall
Garden Temple, Prideaux Place. Photo © David Dixon, via Geograph.org.uk, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

Outside, the formal gardens lead down toward one of England's oldest deer parks, home to a herd of fallow deer that has grazed the grounds for centuries - reduced to just six animals during the Second World War, the herd had recovered to around 100 by the late 1960s and continues to be a highlight of any visit. The grounds also include a garden temple and a fountain within the formal garden, both pictured below.

Opening Times & Prices

For the 2026 season, Prideaux Place is open Monday to Friday only (closed weekends), from Easter Monday through to early October:

  • House tours - 11am until the last tour at 3pm
  • Grounds & Terrace Cafe - 10.30am-4.30pm

Prices (correct as of August 2026):

  • House tour - Adults around £17.50, children (12-16) around £7.50
  • Grounds only - Adults around £5, children (12-16) around £3
  • Groups (15+) - guided tours from around £15.50-£17.50 per person
  • Cream tea - around £8 per person in the Terrace Cafe

Did you know?

Prideaux Place's deer park herd fell to just six animals after the Second World War - by the late 1960s it had recovered to around 100 fallow deer, and their descendants still graze the grounds today.

Prideaux Place Elizabethan manor house Padstow Cornwall - historic house attraction
Garden Temple in the grounds of Prideaux Place, Padstow, Cornwall
Garden Temple, Prideaux Place. Photo © David Dixon, via Geograph.org.uk, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
Fountain in the Formal Garden at Prideaux Place, Padstow, Cornwall
Fountain in the Formal Garden, Prideaux Place. Photo © David Dixon, via Geograph.org.uk, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

Visitor Information

Parking

Limited free parking is available on site at the house.

Facilities

The Terrace Cafe serves refreshments and cream teas overlooking the grounds and deer park; a gift shop is also on site.

Disabled Access

The grounds and ground floor are described as mostly wheelchair accessible, with accessible parking and toilets - the historic upper floors may have limited access. The grounds are pet-friendly.

Things to Do Nearby

Nearby Places to Stay

Frequently Asked Questions

Typically Easter through early October, Monday to Friday only. House tours run 11am to a 3pm last tour; grounds and the Terrace Cafe keep slightly longer hours across the same season. Check the official website for exact dates.

As of the 2026 season, house tours are around £17.50 for adults and £7.50 for children 12-16; grounds-only admission is around £5 for adults and £3 for children. Confirm current prices before booking.

The Prideaux family, who have owned the estate since the house was built in 1592 - it remains a private family home alongside the visitor areas.

Yes, including the BBC's Poldark, German-language adaptations of Rosamunde Pilcher novels, and the 1975 BBC episode The Ash Tree, among other productions.

The grounds and ground floor are mostly wheelchair accessible with accessible parking and toilets; upper historic floors may be more limited. The grounds are pet-friendly - check current arrangements before visiting with a dog.

Official Website

For current opening dates, ticket prices and booking, visit the official Prideaux Place website directly, or view a live copy below.

Visit prideauxplace.co.uk

Page last updated: 21 August 2026