Penryn Campus, Cornwall
The Penryn Campus is set in 100 acres of countryside, close to the waterside town of Falmouth, and boasts beautiful views over the Fal estuary. Made up of around 6,000 students, it offers a close-knit friendly community, in an arrangement that is unique as we share the campus with Falmouth University; a leading specialist arts institution.
Campus tour
Directions, public transport and parking
The Penryn Campus is approximately two hours’ drive from Exeter.
- From the north, take the A30 west from Exeter until you reach the A39 signposted Truro.
- Drive through Truro, following the signs A39 to Falmouth.
- Follow the A39 towards Falmouth until you come to the Treliever roundabout, where you will see signs to the Penryn Campus.
Sat nav
- Use postcode TR10 9FE
- If your sat nav does not recognise this, please try TR10 9EZ; this will not take you directly to campus, but will get you near enough that you will be able to follow signs to the campus entrance.
- Please be aware that this is a relatively new postcode and may not be recognized by your sat nav system if it is not up-to-date.
Parking
- The Penryn Campus has limited car parking and we encourage visitors to use public transport where possible.
- Find out more about public transport and parking on the Falmouth Exeter Plus website.
- The campus operates an Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system in which you pay as you leave.
By coach
National Express coaches stop in Penryn. For timetables, visit the National Express website or for passenger information phone: +44 (0) 08717 818181. The U1 bus service from Truro Bus Station drops you direct to the campus. For bus services within the southwest, visit the Traveline SouthWest website.
By rail
The Penryn Campus is approximately two and a half hours by train from Exeter. The campus is in Penryn, which has its own station. There is a frequent direct service to Truro from London, the Midlands and North and other major British cities. At Truro, change to the branch line service to Falmouth and leave the train at Penryn. The station is approximately a 15 minute walk from the campus.
For timetabling, visit the National Rail Enquiries website or phone: 08457 48 49 50.
NB: There is no taxi rank at Penryn station. Taxis should be booked by prior arrangement, phone: 01326 373007. Alternatively, the U1 bus service from Truro Bus Station drops you direct to the campus. For timetabling visit the Traveline SouthWest website.
By taxi
Abacus and Falmouth Taxis (01326 212141) are Falmouth's largest taxi firm and offer short and long distance journeys including airport transfers to UK airports.
By plane
Newquay airport
The closest airport to the campus is Newquay. Eastern Airways operates direct flights from London Gatwick, and EasyJet operates direct flights from Manchester – both flights are approximately 75 minutes. Connecting flights are available to other destinations.
Car hire and taxi services are also available at Newquay Airport.
For public transport connections visit the Traveline South West website.
NB: Newquay Airport is approximately 40 km from Penryn. If you’re using public transport you'll need to take a bus from the airport to Newquay, and then another bus to Penryn (typical total journey time one and a half to two hours). The campus is roughly three quarters of an hour to an hour's drive by car from Newquay.
Car hire
For information regarding car hire companies in Cornwall, refer to the Visit Cornwall website.
Address
The address for enquiries to the Penryn Campus is:
University of Exeter
Penryn Campus
Penryn
Cornwall TR10 9FE
About the Penryn Campus
Set in 100 acres of rolling countryside near the vibrant coastal town of Falmouth, the Penryn Campus combines stunning natural surroundings with world-class academic, research and residential facilities. Overlooking the Fal estuary, it offers an inspiring place to live and learn.
Home to around 6,000 students, Penryn is known for its close-knit and friendly community. The campus is uniquely shared with Falmouth University, a leading creative institution, creating a dynamic environment where science, humanities, business and the arts come together. This diverse mix brings a rich interdisciplinary spirit to student life and learning.
We’re proud to be at the forefront of research that addresses some of the most pressing challenges facing the planet today. Sustainability and environmental responsibility are embedded in our teaching, student experience and campus operations. These values are reflected in our societies, research centres and curriculum - and are brought to life in flagship facilities like the £30 million Environment and Sustainability Institute (ESI).
Recent investments have continued to expand our capabilities. The £12 million Stella Turk Building, named after a pioneering Cornish scientist, has become a hub for the Centre for Ecology and Conservation. It builds on the success of the Science and Engineering Research Support Facility (SERSF) and adds to a growing portfolio of cutting-edge infrastructure.
Specialist facilities include the Camborne School of Mines, Renewable Energy Engineering Facility (REEF), a £1.2 million Postgraduate Suite, a £4 million sports centre, and an on-site nursery. The campus has also been recognised with a Green Flag Award for its beautiful and sustainable grounds.
In 2023, we were proud to welcome the European Centre for Environment and Human Health (ECEHH) to Penryn Campus, strengthening our leadership in the study of climate, health and wellbeing. This move has also enabled the expansion of medical education facilities at our Truro site, supporting the next generation of healthcare professionals.
For more on what it’s like to study at the University of Exeter in Cornwall, visit the Cornwall Campuses site.
