Loading...
Our wishlist uses a temporary session cookie. This stores a small amount of information on your computer that will remember the selection of properties you had added to the wishlist. When you leave our website, the cookie will be deleted from your computer after 30 days and will clear your selections on the wishlist.
All you need to know
Holidays in Penzance aren’t all about singing pirates and sea shanties. This lovely, unspoilt town offers visitors a glimpse into Cornish life, mixing attractions, beautiful beaches and a thriving real-life fishing port.
The town is probably best known for its proximity to the fairy-tale tidal island that is St Michael’s Mount. One of the UK’s most iconic seaside landmarks, it’s a ‘must-see’ day out on any Penzance holiday. Check the tide times to see when it’s safe to walk the narrow causeway, which is only accessible during low tide. Climb the rocky island pathway to the very top and explore the 12th-century fortress complete with a medieval church, castle, and gardens. Other notable attractions in and around Penzance include the amazing amphitheatre – the Minack Theatre, and Porthcurno Telegraph Museum. Nearby mines at Levant and Geevor make great days out, and Flambards theme park should definitely be on your list.
Don your walking boots and discover hidden bays, beautiful vistas, flora and fauna. Walkers will love Penzance’s proximity to the Granite Coast Walk and South West Coast Path. Boasting one of the mildest climates in the country, this part of Cornwall sees long sunny days for walking and relaxing on the beach. Family holidays in Penzance are all about keeping everyone entertained, and with so many fantastic beaches close by, you’ll be spoilt for choice! With youngsters in tow, try the shallow shores of Long Rock Beach and mix it up with days at the gloriously sandy stretches of beach at Lamorna Cove, Praa Sands and Kenneggey. If time isn’t on your side but you fancy a quick dip without leaving the town centre, check out Jubilee Lido sitting in the rocks just south of the harbour. Reputed to be the largest in the UK, it’s an excellent example of art deco architecture and a popular spot for visitors and locals alike.
If you enjoy beautiful gardens, you’ll love a holiday in Penzance just to visit the subtropical and Mediterranean gardens in and around the town. These include Morrab, Trewidden and Trengwainton Gardens, and if you like sculptures and modern art, Tremenheere should be on your list.
Book a holiday in Penzance to try out some exciting water sports. Paddle boarding, sailing, windsurfing, scuba diving and canoeing are all popular with plenty of local providers. Get up close and personal to marine wildlife with boat tours from the harbour to see inquisitive seals and playful dolphins, basking sharks, puffins and if you’re lucky, a mighty whale. Back on dry land, your sea legs may fancy a walk, so head along the town’s promenade which dates from the 1840s for a stroll along the shoreline and views across the bay to St Michael’s Mount.
The town centre is focused around Chapel Street which is lined with wonderful galleries, treasure-filled independent shops and vintage finds. The town has some curiously fun and quirky historic pubs, adorned with figureheads, masts and remnants from shipwrecks. One even has an old smugglers’ tunnel leading to the harbour.
Visit the towns cafes, restaurants and pubs for good food, traditional Cornish music and lots of fun chatting to the locals. The pinnacle of Penzance’s events calendar is the ten-day midsummer Golowan Festival. It’s big, bright, noisy and very photogenic! Expect street performers, music, processions of colourful costumes and a full-on carnival atmosphere!
With so much to see and do, a holiday in Penzance credibly ticks all the boxes.
(2)
First opened in 1935, the Jubilee Pool was created as a celebration of King George V’s Silver Jubilee. The pool is the largest and most celebrated sea pool in the UK, built into a triangular shape it withstands the ferocity of the Cornish seas while still being a very pleasant environment to bathe in. It contains about 5 million litres of sea water and no mechanical filtration and minimal chemical treatment making it a natural sea water bathing experience. The quality of the water is carefully maintained and water is replaced regullary, timed carefully with the outgoing and incoming tides. A wristband needs to be purchased to swim in the pool, adults are £5, under 16s are £3.50, and under 4s go free.
Click here for further details.
Visiting the geothermal pool is a wonderful experience and far warmer than imagined. It was worth the chill of changing and dressing. The environment is clean and well maintained in spite of its age, which only adds to the ambience, The warmth of the cafe is a pleasure after a swim and it offers high quality food and friendly service.
March 2023
Amazing! Make sure you get the combo ticket for maximum enjoyment, but make sure you go into the cold pool first!
April 2022
The UK’s largest sea water lido and geothermally heated pool plus a fantastic café serving great food with some of the best views in Penzance !
Click here for further information
Get your kids off their phones and gadgets for a while and experience Cornwall’s ultimate escape room. For 60 minutes you will be locked in a room and will have to communicate with each other using your problem solving skills and intuition to escape. Although not for geniuses it is a brain teaser. Will you have what it takes to escape?
Click here for further details.
The beautiful sheltered valley of Tremenheere is the perfect setting for a large-scale exotic and sub-tropical planting. Interwoven amongst the woods, streams and planting is an evolving programme of contemporary artwork that harmonises with the landscape. With fantastic views of St Michael's Mount in the distance, it’s a great place to lose yourself, disconnect from the outside world and connect with both art and nature. Have a picnic on one of the grassy areas or visit Tremenheere Kitchen for a great taste of Cornish seafood, meat dishes and interesting veggie and vegan options. Dogs on leads are also welcome.
Click here for further details.
(1)
The magical rocky island of St Michaels Mount crowned by a medieval church and castle has been beguiling visitors for centuries. Whatever your age there’s lots to see and do here from exploring the subtropical gardens and fairy tale castle, to discovering the history and legend surrounding this beautiful National Trust property.
Click here for further details
Amazing. The gardens in particular, which were breathtaking!
April 2022
In a quiet location set back from the main street in a secluded courtyard full of fairy lights and palm trees you’ll find The Bakehouse restaurant. This unique family run restaurant has a Mediterranean feel with an ever changing seasonal menu using local meat, fish and shellfish. Family friendly with children’s options, dogs welcome too.
Bakehouse Restaurant, Chapel Street, Penzance 01736 331331
Located in Chapel Street in the heart of town offering hearty brunches, light lunches, and three course evening meals alongside an excellent wine list, local beers, cocktails and a wide range of other drinks. Blacks pride themselves in supporting local producers which in turn allows their chefs to create an exciting seasonally varied menu from land and sea.
Blacks of Chapel Street, 12-13 Chapel Street. Penzance, Cornwall (T:01736 369729)
(1)
Upscale family run restaurant using the best quality and freshest fish from newlyn market daily with emphasis on sustainability, quality and supporting the local fishermen. Dishes on the set tasting menu are bought to life with local vegetables and herbs from local farms to create dishes that are a celebration of Cornwall.
The Shore 13-14 Alverton St, Penzance TR18 2QP (T: 01736 362444)
A delightful spot run by an owner-chef clearly devoted to his craft. The food was sublime in a nice intimate setting in the town's centre. I can't recommend it highly enough.
April 2023
Award winning pub near Marazion serving local ale, cider and locally sourced food.
Victoria Inn, Perranuthnoe, Penzance, Cornwall TR20 9NP Tel: 01736 710309
(1)
A friendly family run café in the heart of Newlyn, proudly using Cornish produce. Pop in for a hearty breakfast, delicious lunch or afternoon cream tea or slice of home made cake .
Duke Street Cafe, 6 Duke Street, Newlyn, Cornwall (T:01736 368000)
This friendly cafe offers a menu of well cooked, high quality food. There is always a cheery ambience and service is great.
March 2023
(7)
Mousehole is a delightful village. Beautiful scenery and walks, with some interesting shops and places to eat and drink. We ate very well at The Mousehole Deli and Kitchen on the seafront, which has an interesting menu, good coffee, and lovely staff. Bought great gifts at the weekly Craft Market too. Parking in Mousehole is quite limited!
November 2023
absolutely lovely fishing village, well worth a walk round, so relaxing having a walk around here !!
September 2023
We loved Mousehole! It has real character and we could walk there from our cottage. We swam there twice and the water was wonderful. We also enjoyed pasties, coffee and cake in the village. We would definitely go back there again.
September 2023
Beautiful, quaint Mousehole, one of our favourite places. Had a lovely stroll around the harbour and village and visited most of the gift shops. Sat for a while in the lovely harbour, so peaceful and quiet.
July 2023
This beach is not dog friendly at any time
August 2022
Amazing beautiful harbour village , clean and friendly. Will visit again
August 2022
Great place to watch the world go by. Not brave enough to join the locals jumping from the harbour walls into the water but looked great fun at high tide.
August 2022
(1)
Just opposite the famous landmark of St Michael’s Mount lies Marazion Beach. Relax and take in the atmosphere in the Cornish sunshine, walk to St Michael’s Mount at low tide along the granite causeway, watch kite surfers zoom up and down the length of the beach or try out paddle boarding or sailing. With many rock pools to explore and facilities for sailing and windsurfing lessons there is always something to do on Marazion beach. Dogs are welcome expect between 1 May and end of September when a seasonal dog ban is in place.
Visited three times in early March, ideal parking on seafront, beautiful views, level walking, plenty going on including kite surfing and wind surfing. Jordans take away excellent. Public toilets nearby.
March 2022
(2)
lovely little cove, but watch out for the Parking rules !!
September 2023
Walked to Lamorna Cove from Castallack - it was a very nice walk on a lovely and sunny Sunday morning. The cove was very quiet and peaceful, not many visitors around. We sat and enjoyed the view and had an ice-cream from the local cafe; the staff in the cafe were so friendly and very helpful, nothing was too much trouble.
July 2023
(2)
This a lovely easy walk from the cottage along the lane and a few footpaths and finally down a lot of steps. A very quiet beach when we were staying but when the surfs up it can get busy. It lacks any facilities but you can join the coastal path from there and walk back into Sennen Cove. At very low tide it is possible to walk round the rocks to Sennen Beach.
May 2024
AQ wonderful beach with a steep climb down. A very good car park attached to the farm. There are delicious jars of pickles, jam amd cakes available from the pay hut.
May 2022