Where:
Penzance, CornwallWhat it has to offer:
The market town of Penzance began as a small fishing village but has since evolved into ‘a thriving port throughout the ages.’ A popular holiday destination for travellers near and far, this Cornwall hotspot is home to gorgeous sea views, a rich pirate history and Britain's largest outdoor lido.
One of the best loved corners of Cornwall, Penzance is perfect for holiday goers looking for some tranquillity and respite from the hustle and bustle of day-to-day life. Explore the coves and beaches, peruse the local independent shops, or simply soak up the views of the idyllic villages.
Where to stay:
For unmissable views of Penzance’s working harbour, why not book yourself into the glorious Georgian townhouse and number 13 on our list, Chapel House. With the option to book one of the six spacious rooms, two private suites, or hire out the whole house for the family there are options for everyone. The hotel offers fabulous breakfasts, brunches and a weekend supper club. Enjoy a holistic wellbeing treatment or bespoke spa ritual from the in-house therapist, Rachel Lorente.
The house has been carefully restored to classic Georgian elegance with a contemporary twist. Each room is beautifully decorated with comfort and elegance at the heart, and stunning sea views from every window.
Tucked away on the historic Chapel Street you’ll find the eccentrically designed and sister hotel to number 5 on our list, Artist Residence. The bedrooms are set across three floors of a Georgian coach house and are all individually designed with limited edition art prints and vintage & reclaimed furniture.
Just a short walk from the seafront and iconic Jubilee Pool and right in the heart of the buzzing town, it’s an ideal location for those wanting sleek design and easy access to all Penzance’s hotspots.
Where to eat:
For seafood lovers, The Shore restaurant is certain to impress with fish sourced daily from the local markets. Owner and chef Bruce Rennie serves delicious small plates of local delights.
Rennie says ‘By creating dishes focusing on local vegetables & herbs, some from my own garden, most from local farms, I create a selection of dishes which celebrate our county and country’.
Less than a 10-minute drive along the coast in Newlyn you will find the Tolcarne Inn, an irresistible dining experience for seafood lovers. Owned and run by chef and restaurateur Ben Tunnicliffe, the venue prides itself on its use of fresh and local produce showcasing Cornwall’s famous food culture at its very best.
Tunnicliffe says ‘We set out to create the kind of place that we would want to visit ourselves, time and again. That means great food, in unpretentious surroundings, with friendly service’.
Across the way towards St. Ives is The Gurnard’s Head, a local pub serving seasonal dishes with ingredients foraged from its Cornish surroundings. The menu here isn’t long, its carefully curated based on the ingredients that arrive at the door such as fish from day boast and greenery from small growers.
Menus have included dishes such as pig’s cheek, gem lettuce, pea & pancetta fricassee, or what about plaice, brown shrimp, caper & samphire butter, new potatoes.
Where to drink:
For an authentic and memorable pub experience, why not visit The Admiral Benbow, Penzance’s world-famous pirate pub. Serving a range of beers, ciders, spirits and wine, not to mention the fascinating collection of wreckage and maritime artefacts rescued from numerous shipwrecked vessels over the last 400 years.
If a more modern décor and cocktails are more your style, then be sure to check out 45 Queen Street. This old warehouse in the heart of Penzance serves up small plates and cocktails from their collection of in-house distilled organic gins. Why not even take a few bottles of their rose gin home too?View this post on Instagram
Sights to visit:
From March to November each year you can enjoy plays and musicals hosted in the exquisite Minack Theatre. This open-air theatre overlooks the sea and is situated on the cliffs at Porthcumo, a stone’s throw from Land’s End.
Visit the sub-tropical gardens with a guided tour or discover all about how the world-famous theatre was built by Rowena Cade in 1930. Be sure to plan your visit in advance as bookings are essential for all visits.
For horticulture and art lovers Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens is a must-visit. The beautiful valley overlooking St Michael’s Mount is adorned with woods, a stream and vistas which are home to an array of sub-tropical plants.
The website says, ‘Interwoven with the planting is an evolving programme of contemporary artwork by internationally renowned artists such as James Turrell, David Nash and Richard Long, who have interacted with the setting to create site-specific permanent work that harmonise with the landscape’.
Polgoon Vineyard is a family-run vineyard and orchard dedicated to producing artisan Cornish wines, ciders and juices. Tours of the grounds and tasting are available to book throughout the year. You can choose from a guided or self-guided tour where you can try up to five Polgoon wines, they even have a sparkling wine tour for those who prefer bubbles.
Events not to miss:
Penzance is full of events and celebrations taking place throughout the year including The Golowan Festival which is held in late June. A midsummer celebration which gathers crowds to watch fireworks, serpent dancing, market stalls, roaming bands, and the Mock Mayor. The next celebration will take place Friday 16th June - Sunday 25th June 2023.
August is a huge month for events in Penzance Party in the Park, the best local bands gather and play under cover in marquees within the beautiful and historic grounds of Trereife Park, 1/2 mile west of Penzance.
You can also enjoy The Newlyn Fish Festival where you can enjoy a wide selection of seafood, cooking demonstrations, workshops, auctions, a variety of stalls together with a full programme of music and entertainment.
