PENZANCE
The last stop on the Old Great Western Railway. The shabby chic town of Penzance was made famous by opera singing pirates, an art deco salt water lido and a castle in the sea. A curious mixture of a town where low end and high end sit side by side but community is at the heart of everything. It’s also home to the only promenade in Cornwall - and taking a stroll along the prom prom prom will put you in the holiday mood immediately!
ARTS & FESTIVALS
The area is steeped in arts history. The famous art colony, The Newlyn School was established in the 1880s and there is still a thriving arts scene today, evident in the huge amount of galleries.
‘The Rain, it raineth every day’, Norman Garstin, 1889
Golowan Festival is one of Cornwall's biggest events and a midsummer celebration like no other. The festival is a combination of community traditions, art and music. The festival’s ‘big weekend’ stretches over three days: Mazey Eve (when the Mock Mayor is announced), Mazey Day (marching bands and parades culminating in a big dancing snake) and Quay Fair Day (more relaxed with stalls and fairground rides.) On the flip side, Montol Festival celebrates Winter Solstice and the whole town goes topsy turvy, donning masks and disguises in this festival of mayhem and mischief.
Montol Festival. By Christoper Laughton
SURROUNDINGS
Penzance is a great bolt hole for exploring the rugged Wild West of Cornwall. There’s adventure aplenty awaiting for you with quirky villages, dreamy seascapes and mystical stones nearby. To the other end of the promenade is the village of Newlyn, the UK’s largest fishing port. It’s worth rising early to visit the fish market to witness the boats arriving and some rather fishy sales taking place. Marazion is a longer walk along the beach in the other direction and gateway to St Micheals Mount and its historic castle, garden and island community. Timing is everything as the path to the island is only accessible during low tide.
The walk from Sennen to Lands End is wonderful and features the RMS Mulheim shipwreck. A show or tour of the spectacular open air Minack Theatre near Porthcurno should also be on the cards. Time your visit to St Just and the epic Cot Valley to catch the glorious sunset. Mousehole (pronouced ‘mowzul’), was described by poet Dylan Thomas as ‘The loveliest village in England’ - if you’re in the area during the festive season, visit by night to see the marvellous Christmas lights.
And then there are the ancient stones! For centuries, locals have held a steadfast belief in the healing prowess of the Mên-an-Tol stones and it’s been a long standing tradition for people to pass through the circular stone to cure their ailments. The Merry Maidens are said to be 19 maidens that were turned into stone as punishment for dancing on a Sunday (yikes!) Lanyon Quoit is a neolithic tomb, and stands as a reminder of our prehistoric heritage.
For an adventure on the high seas, you can also travel over to The Isles of Scilly on the Scillonian ferry from March to October. If you want to get to the heart of Penzance, spend some time chatting with the locals in some of their amazing and creative indie businesses (below)
Shop
A wonderful bookshop with a fantastic variety of volumes, from classic novels to quirky novelties, and plenty of local and Cornish books too. They also sell cards, stationary and gifts.
Weigh Inn
It’s no wonder the community of Penzance were the pioneers of the plastic free towns movement. They’ve been doing it for years! Get all your refills here.
Junkwax Records
A vinyl haven In Penzance, offering vintage and contemporary vinyl. Find rare gems and chat with knowledgeable staff and collectors. It's more than a music shop; it's a hub for eternal melodies and captivating stories.
Find beautiful, natural skincare products with no funny stuff. Housed inside The Egyptian house which was built in the early 19th Century!
Pocketful of Stones
Craft spirits with a range of award winning Gins, Whiskies, Cider brandy & Absinthe. Great value for money tasting sessions so you can try before you buy!
A collection of handpicked true vintage fashion and accessories. Lots of American vintage mixed with British heritage brands and interesting European pieces. From the forties to the noughties each item is great quality.
Timeless clothing and textiles, new and old, including own brand and pieces sourced from skilled artisans. Lots of wonderful gifts too.
Fish Boy
This shop has been around for over 20 years. Lots of clothing and gifts, Much of which is designed and screen printed in house, inspired by the Cornish landscape and traditions of farming, fishing & mining.
Seven Stones
Men’s and women’s clothing, perfume and all kinds of other lovely things, including their own knitwear brand.
This quaint boutique offers a collection of handcrafted sterling silver pieces inspired by the natural beauty that surrounds Cornwall.
Eat & DRINK
Loafs
Banging bread, sweet things and coffee. Everything you’d expect of a top quality bakery, where the motto is pastry never sleeps.
Mackerel Sky
A stones throw from the fish market in Newlyn is this wonderful seafood bar, serving fresh seafood tasting plates. No need to book.
Zennor Wild
Smoothies, cakes and coffee alongside home grown and British grown flowers and a variety of homewares and gifts.
45 Queen Street
A vibrant, bustling, neighbourhood bar & kitchen, deli & shop that is continually evolving. Open for breakfast, lunch and supper.
The Honey Pot
Cosy cafe with wholesome homemade food, cakes, cream teas and artisan coffee. 7 days a week!
Aunty May’s
Proper pasties baked fresh daily and all kinds of other goodies including sandwiches & baguettes freshly made to order, homemade scotch eggs and quiche. Newlyn.
Archie Browns
Archie Browns have prided themselves on freshly cooked, inspired vegetarian & vegan cuisine for the past 30 years. They have an extensive and tasty food selection for those on special diets while the deli has a delicious selection of takeaway lunch products, sweet treats, juices and smoothies. The shop stocks a wide range of products aimed at promoting an all-round healthy lifestyle.
Roundhouse
Neighbourhood coffee shop in the heart of Penzance serving locally roasted, single origin Brazilian coffee and all kinds of lunchtime treats.
do
Redwing provides exhibition opportunities, affordable art studios, open access arts facilities, events, workshops and a vegan cafe. A space for all, totally embracing outsider art.
Immerse yourself in a dramatic landscape of tropical plants and contemplative artworks. Internationally renowned artists have interacted with the space to create site specific permanent works which harmonise with the setting.
Penlee House is a beautiful building, home to many paintings by members of the Newlyn School art colony as well as The Penzance Natural History and Antiquarian Society collection.
This much-loved gallery has a reputation for showcasing high quality works and for spotting talent. Find a mix of established British artists beside promising just-out-of-art-school finds. Wander to the top of its three floors for marvellous rooftop views of Penzance.
Get inspired at this vibrant hub of contemporary art spread across 2 galleries in Penzance and Newlyn. Curated selection of local and international art. The Newlyn Art Gallery, a beautifully restored Victorian building. The Exchange, a sleek and modern extension.
Designed in the early 1930s, this is the biggest and most celebrated salt water lido in the UK. Split into 3 sections - the main pool, learner pool, and the incredible geothermal pool.
