Welcome to Penzance, Cornwall - A Visitor's Guide to its beaches, attractions and accommodation

Penzance is an ancient market town located in the far west of Cornwall. It is the major town of the Penwith District and the gateway to the Land's End peninsula. It was granted its charter as a town in 1512 and is currently home to about 11,000 people. The civil parish that is Penzance had a population of 21,168 at the last census in 2001.

Its position on the western flank of Mount's Bay has offered it and its neighbouring fishing port of Newlyn shelter from the prevailing sou'westerly storms sweeping in from the Atlantic. Due to its latitude, Penzance offers a warmer climate than the rest of Britain. Palm trees and sub-tropical plants are not uncommon in the many gardens and hotels.

Penzance is well served by transport links. It lies just off the western end of the main A30 trunk road and has a rail terminal, heliport and ferry connection. The heliport connects Cornwall to the Isles of Scilly, whilst the Scillonian III docks at Albert Pier and offers a more sedate way of visiting the islands.

The name Penzance is an anglicised form of the Cornish name Pen Sans or 'Holy Headland'. The saint in question was St. Anthony whose chapel stood on the headland just west of what is now Penzance harbour. Prior to this there are traces of an Iron Age settlement at Lescudjack Castle.

Accommodation

B & Bs

Chy Bowjy (5 km)

Pendennis (1 km)

Cottages

Chy Hebask, sleeps 6, Zennor (3 km)

Artist's Cottage, Marazion (5 km)

The Old Toll House, sleeps 5, Marazion (5 km)

Chy-Vean, sleeps 4, Penzance (3 km)

Hobbits, sleeps 4, Penzance (5 km)

Ty Cariad, sleeps 4, Mousehole (4 km)

Holiday Parks

Willow Lodge 3, sleeps 6 (3 km)

Willow Lodge, sleeps 4 (3 km)

Kingfisher Caravan, sleeps 6 (3 km)

Swallow Caravan, sleeps 4 (3 km)

Willow Lodge Plus, sleeps 4 (3 km)

Local hotels

Hotel Penzance (1 km)

Mount Haven Hotel (5 km)

The Tarbert Hotel (1 km)

The Old Primary School Cottage and Apartment (3 km)

Estoril Hotel (1 km)

Curlews Marazion (5 km)

The Dunedin (1 km)

Penrose Guest House (1 km)

Hotel Penzance (1 km)

Mount Royal Hotel (1 km)

History

Penzance first appears in the history books in 1322 as a 'place to land fish' and was only a settlement near the much more important town of Marazion in its early days. Incidentally, Marazion despite its sleepy appearance nowadays was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1088 and is the oldest town in Britain - being granted its Charter in 1257 by the Planagenet King Henry III. Over the years as the area became known Penzance has been visited by thousands of visitors - not all of them with good intentions. The area has been raided by Barbary Pirates and Marazion was burned by the French in 1514. In 1578 the Great Plague visited Penzance and in July 1595 a Spanish force landed at Mousehole and burned part of Penzance before scurrying back to Spain. The town of Penzance was granted Royal Market status in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I and became incorporated as a borough in 1614 under a charter granted by James I. This patronage helped Penzance to flourish - so much so that by the first census of 1801 the population of Penzance was triple that of Marazion. Success breeds success they say and in 1852 the West Cornwall Railway sited its terminus just east of the harbour. A few years later the line was purchased by the Great Western Railway who set about converting it to broad gauge. West Cornwall now had a direct connection with London. Penzance's most famous son was Sir Humphry Davy (1778-1829) to learn more click HERE.

Local attractions

Excursions

Penzance itself is well placed to use as a base from which to explore the whole of mid and west Cornwall. Many guests staying at the Hotel Penzance use this comfortable hotel as a relaxing stop-over on their way to the beautiful Isles of Scilly - the heliport is only a short shuttle bus ride away at Eastern Green. There's so much to do in and around Penzance. Walk the Promenade or swim in the Art Deco style Jubilee Pool. Explore the Newlyn Art Gallery or Penlee Gallery & Museum. Experience the Golowan Festival and Mazey Day in June. In fact, there's something for everyone....

The scenic coast of southern Penwith with its picturesque fishing villages of Mousehole and Lamorna are just a short drive away. Slightly further afield, but still within easy reach lies the spectacular open air cliff-top setting of the Minack Theatre above the beautiful Porthcurno and Pednvounder beaches. A trip over to Land's End is another option. Families may wish to explore Legendary Land's End whilst more mature visitors might stroll along the coastpath to Sennen Cove. A short drive north from the hotel across the granite moors takes you back in time as you pass the ancient monuments of Lanyon Quoit and Men-an-Tol.

The north Penwith coast around St. Just and Pendeen still bear the signs of copper and tin mining from days gone by. Geevor Tin Mine Museum and Heritage Centre still offers the opportunity to take a trip underground whilst the coast offers many fine places to visit. Cape Cornwall, Botallack and Porth Nanven to name a few. Further east lies the moorland village of Zennor - home of the mermaid legend. Art lovers will enjoy exploring the narrow streets and shops of St. Ives as well as the Tate Gallery, just 8 miles away and Truro and Falmouth can be reached within the hour by car. Even the Eden Project is only 90 minutes away. The proximity of the train and bus stations to the hotel mean that, if you wish, you can travel by an increasingly integrated transport and leave your vehicle behind. Hotel Penzance is the perfect place to relax and refresh yourselves before enjoying real Cornwall at its best.