The Memorial Ground Penryn
Penryn and the Memorial Ground
An ancient and proud Cornish town whose respected Rugby club has been at the centre of its community since 1872, Penryn looks forward to welcoming supporters to Cornwall RLFC.
Founded in 1216, ‘the Borough’ possesses a rich past, but is also a place of new beginnings. It was in Penryn that one of the earliest colleges in the country was established in the 13th century, and today the town boasts a university campus with over 6,000 students.
Now the oldest Rugby Union club in Cornwall is home to the newest Rugby League team.
Named in honour of team members lost in conflict, the Memorial Ground has played host to numerous epic contests and iconic players.
It can claim to have been the venue for the only match between the British Lions and a British club side, with legends such as Barry John, JPR Williams, and Derek Quinnell running out to face the Penryn team in 1973.
Upon the same pitch strode England internationals Roger Hosen, Ken Plummer, and local-lad Vic Roberts. In more recent times, its junior and senior sides featured Tom Voyce, Chris Martin and Hugh Vyvyan before each went on to representative honours.
Located adjacent to the academy school (a sports college since 1998) the Memorial Ground is on Kernick Road to the west of the town centre. The vibrant port of Falmouth and its beaches are immediately to the east; the cathedral city of Truro to the north; and the scenic Helford River nearby to the south.
Penryn a’gas dynergh… Welcome to Penryn!
Stay a while
With plenty on offer in this remarkable part of the country, travelling supporters will never be lost for things to do before or after a match at the Memorial Ground.
Attractions such as the National Maritime Museum Cornwall, Pendennis Castle, Cornish Seal Sanctuary, and several sub-tropical gardens are all within easy reach of Penryn. So too are the UNESCO World Heritage Sites for mining around nearby Camborne and Redruth.
Take in the outstanding scenery of the Lizard peninsula and SW Coast Path, a boat trip into Falmouth Bay, or just relax in one of Cornwall’s many outstanding restaurants or waterside pubs.
With a range of accommodation options including campsites, holiday cottages and luxury hotels, there’s no need to head straight home after a Cornwall RLFC game.
Getting to Penryn
The Memorial Ground is easy to access, no matter how you might choose to get to a Cornwall RLFC match.
Cornwall RLFC:
The Memorial Ground, Kernick Road
Penryn, Cornwall, Great Britain
TR10 8NT
By Car
Travelling from outside Cornwall, follow the M5 southbound to Junction 31 at Exeter and join the A30 westbound.
Leave the A30 at Carland Cross roundabout and join the A39 (and A390) to Truro and on toward Falmouth.
Upon approaching the Falmouth-Penryn area, ignore directions for Penryn B3292 and proceed along the A39 toward the University Campus. Continue past the University on your left until reaching the Kernick Road roundabout. Turn left past ASDA and B&Q and continue for 500m until reaching the Memorial Ground.
Parking is available at the ground and the immediate vicinity, but it can be limited on busy match days. Other car parks are available further into the town itself.
By Rail
Penryn is served by the Maritime Line running between Falmouth and the mainline station at Truro.
Regular half-hourly services operate until late evening between Monday and Saturday, with a reduced service on Sunday. There are no overnight trains.
When arriving at Penryn station, turn right and continue along Helston Road and onto Kernick Road. The Memorial Ground is just a few minutes away on foot.
By Coach or Bus
Regular FirstKernow bus services are available throughout the Penryn and Falmouth area. U1, U2 and U4 all pass close to the Memorial Ground, and travellers should alight at either the railway station or Saracen Way.
The town is part of the National Express network.
By Air
Regular scheduled flights to Cornwall Newquay (NQY) are available from numerous UK airports including Manchester, Leeds-Bradford, and London Heathrow & Gatwick.
Penryn is located around 28 miles to the south, with car hire, transfers, and bus services available.