Bask in Penzance’s irresistible small town charm

Penzance has a rich history and well documented history. Archaeological digs in the past few centuries have unearthed fascinating pieces of Penzance’s historical puzzle, from prehistoric stone axes, to defensive earthwork from the Iron Age, and even coins bearing the likeness of Roman Emperor Vespasian. 

The town’s name is derived from the Cornish "Pen Sans", meaning holy land, as a chapel once stood west of the harbour over a thousand years ago. The first mention of that church only came about in William Borlase’s 1750 manuscript where he describes “The ancient chapel belonging to the town of Penzance may be seen in a fish cellar, near the key; it is small and as I remember had the image of the Virgin Mary in it”. 

In the medieval period, Penzance became the most important commercial centre for the Land’s End Peninsula, obtaining its first royal charter from King Edward III in 1332 and with it, the authorisation to hold a market every wednesday. 

Often sacked by foreign fleets in the Tudor period, about 10% of the town’s population was wiped out due to the bubonic plague in 1578. 

Penzance railway station was built in 1852, allowing the town and its harbour to further develop and connect to wider markets. As the town continued to develop and industrialise in the 19th century, population grew and the town started attracting more visitors.

Offering up some of the region’s most breathtakingly dramatic landscapes, the Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens are an absolute feast for the eyes. Overlooking St Michael’s Mount, the Gardens manage to balance lush subtropical planting and a collection of contemporary statues to create a gorgeous space that feels like an escape from the outside world. 

The Gardens also house a sculpture gallery, nursery, shop and restaurant. The Gardens are open daily from 10:30am until 5:30pm. Tickets cost £11 for adults, £8 for students, £5 for children aged 5 to 15 years old and children under 5 go free. Please keep in mind that due to the garden’s natural space, much of it is inaccessible to people with mobility issues. Well-behaved dogs are more than welcome and the Gardens are about 2 miles away from Penzance town centre. 

The iconic promenade dates back to the early 1800s and stretches the entire seafront from Newlyn to the Jubilee Pool. It’s a picturesque spot to take a stroll, especially in the evening when you’re usually treated to an amazing sunset. It’s perfect for a family day out or other activities like roller skating or jogging. The peaceful Victorian promenade provides show stopping views of the peninsula and the glittering ocean water basking in the dazzling morning or evening light that have inspired artists for decades. The promenade is really easily accessible from the town centre.

Penlee House was built as a Victorian home in 1865. Nowadays, the gorgeous house is home to a museum with an impressive permanent collection of paintings and various artefacts and ever-changing temporary exhibitions. The museum provides a fascinating look into Cornwall’s history, and in particular its influence on art. They feature a gallery dedicated to paintings from the Newlyn School, based only a mile and a half away from Penzance, Newlyn, a small fishing town, inspired many artists throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, the gallery at Penlee House features some standouts from this school. 

The museum also has an adjacent café, called the Orangery Cafe which serves up some excellent cake and coffee, perfect for that mid-afternoon snack! 

The Museum is open from Monday to Saturday, from 10am to 5pm and entry tickets cost £6, £3 for people under 26 years old and children go free. 

• Bring a pair of comfortable walking shoes, as it’s more than likely you’ll do most of your moving around Penzance on foot.
• Bring a raincoat, you never know what the weather may have in store for you in Cornwall.
• Be curious! The place is brimming with history and make sure you have time to allow yourself to find out new things about the town.

By car: 

• The town is easy to find, the A30 from Exeter will take you all the way to Penzance and the way there is well signposted. 
• Parking is available in the streets so it can be a little tricky to find a space in the busier months. 

By bus: 

• National Express coaches take visitors all the way to Penzance and are a good alternative to driving yourself. 

By train: 

• Penzance is at the end of the line, which makes for a stunning coastal train journey. No matter where in the UK you’re travelling from, you can easily reach the town on the train. 

By plane: 

• Penzance is an hour’s drive from Newqay airport.