Penzance, a fascinating historical, laid-back seaside town and the perfect base to explore West Cornwall

Penzance is located on the south-westerly tip of England, nestled in the centre of Mounts Bay, and over looked by the majestic St Michael’s Mount. Penzance is an ideal base for a holiday given its central West Cornwall location and excellent road links allow easy and convenient access to the best that this stunning area, steeped in history has to offer. The coastline around the Land’s End Peninsula is dominated by the grandeur of the cliffs, which overlook the pristine sandy beaches and clear blue seas, with the Lizard coast to the east and just 10 miles from the scenic north coast. Not to be outdone, the miles of rugged Cornish countryside with rolling hills is dotted with ancient monuments remind us of the long Celtic history and traditions the county has to offer.

In Penzance itself, there are a couple of galleries and boutiques, and even the Wharfside Shopping Centre where you could get your retail fix while away. It has a cinema, supermarkets and even a couple of open-air theatres, so despite having travelled to the very edge of the UK, you are never too far from civilisation and its amenities.

Just a short walk from PZ360 and right in the heart of the Penzance seafront sits an Art Deco open-air lido. With its recent addition of thermal baths, this is a perfect spot to swim whatever the weather. Just 2 miles east of Penzance is the wide, flat and beautiful Long Rock Beach, ideal for bucket ‘n’ spade days by the sea. You can walk the entire stretch of this pretty bay, eventually reaching Marazion, where you can walk across to the island of St Michael’s Mount if the tides are low enough to reveal the causeway.

Meanwhile, the coastal town of Newlyn, just 2 miles south of Penzance has three beaches for you to choose from. The first is a small sand and pebble beach in the centre of town that’s dog-friendly all year, the second is an extension of Penzance Promenade – a shingle beach which is great for rock pooling when the tide is out, and the third is Roskilly, another small pet-friendly beach with great views and a real hidden gem for dog walkers.

Newlyn itself is a quaint coastal town with an extensive harbour for you to wander and places to eat serving locally-caught fish. The Fish Market takes place every morning so get up early and head down to grab hake or mackerel for a true Cornish dinner – and seafood connoisseurs may wish to a book their trip around the annual Newlyn Fish Festival!

The quaint village of Mousehole is 4 miles from Penzance. It’s quiet but has a lovely harbour and is connected to Penzance via the South West Coast Path that connects the entire South West coastline. Follow this trail, booking a table at one of the pubs in advance, so you can enjoy a well-deserved Sunday roast or big lunch after your 4-mile seaside stroll.

You might be surprised by how close everything is in this part of the world, it’s just an 8-mile drive from southern Penzance to St Ives on the north coast of Cornwall. As it’s an artsy hub, it’s a great choice for a day out. Visit the museums and galleries throughout town and don’t stop there – you could head out on a boat trip to see the colony of Atlantic grey seals living at Seal Island or enjoy a day on one of the sandy St Ives beaches.

The iconic Land’s End is a bucket-list destination, take the 10-mile trip to stand at the edge of the world on this westerly headland, see the legendary signpost, and enjoy a cream tea beside the sea – the Cornish way, of course!

Another one of West Cornwall’s big attractions is St Michael’s Mount. Head over to this beautiful island for a day exploring the castle, gardens and small harbour. Walking across the causeway is the real draw for visitors so plan to go when the tide is low so you can walk across from Marazion to the island, then you can enjoy a boat ride back to the mainland when you’re done.

There are two beautiful gardens to visit: Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens is 2 miles from Penzance and offers artwork and gardens to peruse, while the National Trust’s Trengwainton Garden provides delightful grounds to explore and a tea room for a coffee and cake afterwards.

Historians may like to visit the archaeological site of Carn Euny Ancient Village or Chysauster Ancient Village, both of which are less than 7 miles away, welcome dogs on leads and make for beautiful walking territory. For a little mining history of the area, head to Geevor Mine and Levant Mine both 8 miles away from Penzance and set near to each other in Pendeen.

In Penzance itself, you’ll find Eureka Escape Cornwall, a fun place to head for if you enjoy escape rooms – great for something a little bit different during your holiday.

We’ve already mentioned the fantastic South West Coast Path, which is a great way to see the coastal villages and towns of the South West. Visit Mousehole (4 miles away) or continue your walk further south to Porthcurno for a 12-mile trek.

A popular destination for walkers, families and surfers, National Trusts’ Godrevy is made up of sandy beach, headland and coves. You could follow this clifftop walking trail, part of the Coast Path, that leads around the headland to Hell’s Mouth.

While in Cornwall, it’s essential that you enjoy a traditional Cornish pasty down by the waterfront. Grab a pasty at The Cornish Oven then walk across to the pretty harbour for the sea views and watch the boats sailing about as you enjoy.

If you fancy an elegant evening dining out during your stay, take a look at The Shore Restaurant, an eatery priding itself on local produce from farmers and fishermen, see The Bakehouse, where seafood and steak are on the menu, or book into Blacks of Chapel Street where you can stay for a cocktail afterwards.

For good and hearty pub grub, Penzance has plenty of warm and welcoming taverns for you to drop by for a drink or full Sunday roast; The Turks Head, The Dolphin Tavern and The Crown are just a few.

And if you are exploring this coastal town and want to pop into a café or tearoom for a light bite to eat, there are plenty of those as well! Stop by The Front Room, Terrace Café or Orangery Café when you get peckish to enjoy a delightful tea and cake.

No matter what you are looking for in a holiday, Penwith has something to offer. Ancient fishing villages, cliff top walks, sub-tropical gardens and an abundance of industrial and maritime heritage make Penwith a uniquely fascinating area. The peninsula’s rugged coastline led to a hot spot for smugglers and wreckers, who stories have been passed down the generations. Influences from these days can still be felt in the town. Gilbert and Sullivan’s famous Pirates of Penzance is testament to the long standing maritime traditions.

Both countryside and coastline presents walkers with almost endless opportunities, whether you want a stroll along the cliff tops, overlooking secluded coves. Heading in land, the countryside offers wide open moorland, rolling hillsides and stunning granite headlands. Ideal for those who want to ‘escape the crowds: The well marked cliff tops, foot paths and bridal ways allow even the novice walker a safe passage. Many of the paths pass Celtic stone monuments, including stone circles, standing stones and settlements.

By far the most striking feature of Mounts Bay has to be St Michael’s Mount its self. The long standing castle, set atop a hill jutting from the sea just off Marazion beach, it’s accessible by foot at low tide via the Giants Causeway. The Minack Theatre is equally impressive, carved out of the granite cliffs offers shows all summer long, including local productions and larger ones from companies such as the Royal Shakespeare. Other must see attractions include the Lands End experience, Geevor Tin Mine, The Tate art gallery in St Ives, Paradise Park bird sanctuary in Hayle, Flambards theme park in Helston and the national Seal sanctuary at Gweek. Add to this numerous museums and art galleries, the finest food Cornwall has to offer and more restaurants that you could possibly want, Penzance is definitely the perfect place for a sea side holiday.