Penzance

Penzance is a town in west Cornwall, facing south across Mount’s Bay toward St Michael’s Mount 3 miles east at Marazion. It is the mainland ferry terminal for the Isles of Scilly - Scillonian III departs from the harbour for a 2 hour 45 minute crossing to Hugh Town, St Mary’s, running Monday to Saturday. 2026 is the Scillonian III’s final season before the new Scillonian IV replaces it in March 2027.

The seafront promenade leads to Jubilee Pool, a Grade II-listed Art Deco seawater lido opened in May 1935 for King George V’s Silver Jubilee. At 300 feet long, it is the largest seawater pool in the UK. A geothermal pool was added in 2020 - the UK’s first geothermally heated pool, drawing warm water from a 410-metre-deep well and kept at 28 to 30 degrees. The pool has been community-owned since 2017 through a Community Benefit Society with over 1,400 shareholders.

Chapel Street runs through the old town past the Grade I-listed Egyptian House and the Admiral Benbow pub. Penlee House Gallery, in a Victorian house built in 1865, holds around 750 paintings specialising in the Newlyn School artists (c.1880 to 1930) - Stanhope Forbes, Walter Langley, and Frank Bramley among them.

Newlyn, England’s largest fishing port at over 40 acres, is a mile south-west of Penzance and walkable along the coast. Mousehole (pronounced “Mowzel”) is 2.5 miles further south, reachable by bus in about 15 minutes.

Morrab Gardens covers 3 acres of subtropical planting - tree ferns, banana plants, and Chusan palms - opened in 1889 and free to enter. A farmers’ market runs every Friday from 9am to 2pm at St Johns Hall. The GWR Night Riviera sleeper departs London Paddington at 23:45 and arrives at Penzance at 07:45, six nights a week.

Where to Stay

Self-catering options near Penzance extend into the quiet hamlets of the Penwith peninsula. Beryas Cottage is a two-bedroom, two-bathroom cottage in Buryas Bridge sleeping 4, with sea views, a wood burner, open fire, BBQ, and dog-friendly garden - Mousehole is about 2 miles along the coast road and Penzance itself is a short drive north for the Jubilee Pool and rail connections.

Guides for Penzance

• Things to Do in Penzance - Chapel Street, Penlee House Gallery, Newlyn, and day trips to the Penwith Peninsula
• Where to Eat in Penzance - 8 restaurants and pubs, from Newlyn seafood to Chapel Street courtyard dining