• Go for a stroll along the promenade and enjoy the picturesque views
• Spend a day on the golden sands of one of the many beaches
• Take in the beauty of the coast and countryside on one of the many walking routes

Steeped in Celtic history, smuggling and shipwrecks, Penzance is a charming South Cornwall town full of character with some truly splendid views. Sat in the Land’s End peninsula, its sheltered position and warmer climate make for some interesting plant life and the town is brought to life in the spring and summer months with a blaze of floral splendour.

With Land’s End just ten miles away and excellent links to the wider Cornwall, staying occupied is not a problem during your stay, with rare plant gardens, a helicopter ride to the enchanting Scilly Isles and the striking St. Michaels Mount; there is certainly plenty to see and do. The fascinating history can be explored in the Museum, while a day at one of the sun kissed beaches is the perfect way to relax. With restaurant and pubs aplenty, a fine selection of shops and even an open air theatre on the coast, Penzance makes for an ideal holiday destination.

Food and Drink

Penzance has a number of great culinary options to be enjoyed during your stay. No stay in Cornwall would be complete without sampling the world famous pasties and a plethora of shops in town offer you the opportunity to do just that. Pubs and Inns litter the main shopping streets, many of which are housed in quaint historical buildings and come complete with warm, cosy atmosphere and scrumptious pub food.

Great examples of these are The Longboat and the Admiral Benbow. For fine dining try the Bay Gallery Restaurant, with its great selection of locally sourced delicacies, including an eight course tasting menu. For a uniquely Cornish experience, try the Cornish Meadery for a step back in time to a delicious medieval feast.

Family Attractions

The family will be well entertained during your stay in Penzance. The warmth of the Gulf Stream is perfect for plant life, with Marrab, Penlee and Trengwainton Gardens all offering visitors the chance to appreciate some of the most exotic, rare and beautiful plants that the British Isles has to offer. Lands’ End is a fun day out with a visitor’s centre and some magnificent views.

A helicopter will take you the short way out to the Scilly Isles, which oft make for an almost tropical day in the sun. Geevor Tin Mine Museum is a fascinating look at the history of the region, while St. Michaels Mount is a charming island fortress, perfect for a day out with the kids, and can be accessed by foot or by ferry, dependant on the tide. Penlee Gallery and Museum also makes for a fascinating visit packed with historical information and exhibits.

Shopping

Penzance is a major market town which supplies the Land’s End peninsula, so obviously there is a fair selection of places to shop. The recently opened Warfside Shopping Centre is packed with both national chains and local stores, offering a great selection, from local delis with a vast selection of locally sourced produce, to clothes boutiques, books, toys and coffee shops to refuel after your purchases.

Three main streets offer a fine array of shopping choices, with many curious and quaint boutiques in the winding streets and walkways just off the main town area.

History and Heritage

Penzance has a fascinating history, running all the way back to the Iron Age, Lescudjack Castle being a remnant of this. Named a Royal market by Henry IV, it has since been seen as a key market town for the Land’s End peninsula. Being a southern coastal town, Penzance was an obvious target for foreign invasion, the town has been sacked many times, most notably by the Spanish in the mid 1500’s who burned the town and plundered it for supplies.

Nelson's victory was first announced in Penzance, yet it was the introduction of the railway, which still runs today, that brought such prosperity to the town. This opened the town up to much better trade and tourism, and was a pivotal step in the creation of the town as it is today.

Beaches

Penzance is famous for its beaches, with their long stretches of clean sand and crystal clear waters lapping at the shore. The largest beach runs from Penzance Harbour all the way around to Marazion, offering great views of the charming bay. For families, beaches in the southern section of the peninsula offer safe bathing water and ample parking.

For a tropical feel, head to Porthcurno Beach, with its shimmering white sand and emerald sea giving it a distinctly Mediterranean atmosphere. Sennen Beach is perfect for windsurfing, while a short drive out of town will take you to some charming coves at St. Ives, Carbis Bay and Hayle.

Activities

If you fancy a more active break, there is planet on offer in Penzance. Some of the most beautiful walking routes in the country are on offer, with the Penzance to St. Ives route offering spectacular views of the rolling countryside and charming harbours and coves. The Tinners Walk route is set within charming granite scenery, high moorland and littered with historical engine houses, perfect for a romantic walk during your stay. For golfing enthusiasts, Cape Cornwall Golf and Country Club at St. Just is a short drive away. Bird watching can be done, with some rare species to be enjoyed due to the seaside location of climate, while a trip to St. Ives will take you to the Tate St. Ives, a haven of fine modern and contemporary art to be enjoyed.

Events and Entertainment

A summer visit will be packed with events, from Longboard Championships out in the bay, to chaotic mock Mayoral elections, there is something to appeal to everyone. For film buffs, the town has a multiplex cinema offering the latest releases, while the Acorn Theatre offer a great showing from local amateur dramatics societies. If you fancy something a little more unique, the Minnack theatre is a local open air theatre, sat right on the coast, which performs Shakespeare throughout the year. A similar offering can be enjoyed in Penlee Park.

Travel

Penzance is the terminus of the railway that links the south to London and the north. The town can also boast excellent rail links to the rest of Cornwall, while by road; the A30 trunk road connects the area to Bristol, London and the north. Bus services are reliable and frequent, linking the town with the surrounding area, while cycle hire and taxis are readily available. Boat trips are regularly offered from the harbour, while the unique experience of a helicopter ride can be enjoyed by those heading to the Scilly Isles. By air, the nearest airport is Newquay.