Famous for its pirates and its art deco pool, there’s plenty to see and do in Penzance – which translates to Holy Head – here’s out starter for ten
Go for a dip
Named as in the top five outdoor pools in the UK, the newly refurbished Jubilee Pool has to come top of your things to do in Penzance. Generously sized, and built into the sea wall, this splendid piece of 1930s architecture boasts wedding cake style levels to soak up the sun when you’ve finished exploring this deep sea water pool – and a discounted price for locals.
Eat here
Penzance has mastered the art of fantastic pub grub with many places to try.
The Coldstreamer Inn, Gulval. This pub, which was taken over by a young local couple earlier this year and has gained quite a following in the national press Tom (the chef) was head chef at Porthminster Beach Café in St Ives for many years.
One of our favourite chef’s Ben Tunnicliffe is now at the helm of the renowned Tolcarne Inn in neighbouring Newlyn. As befitting a place so close to the Cornwall’s major fishing harbour, the fish dishes are many and varied.
Stay here
The Egyptian House is an incredible façade sitting in Chapel Street that is one of Cornwall’s most photographed buildings – visit and you will see why. The building dates back to 1835, the flamboyant and ornate facade features lotus columns and stylized cornices and inspired by a museum in Picadilly, London built in 1812 which was itself inspired by the Temple of Hat-hor at Dendra in Egypt.
Inside there are three apartments (one per floor) available to rent through
Shop here
Polgoon’s vineyards must surely have the best view of any in the world. Planted overlooking St Michael’s Bay, Polgoon produces award-winning ciders, wines and juices and their shop which sits by their orchard and vineyard is the perfect place to peruse their ever growing range. There are also tours and tasting events.
Visit here
No visit to Penzance is complete without heading to the stunning Penlee House Museum on Morrab Road. This gorgeous building houses Cornwall’s collection of Newlyn School artworks with ever changing exhibitions that showcase the collection in different guises. Now showing their Compass’d by the Inviolate Sea: Marine Painting in Cornwall from Turner to Wallis is on until 3 September 2016
For garden lovers
Trengwainton sits just outside of Penzance featuring Award-winning magnolias and rhododendrons nurtured by those with a passion for their beauty and extraordinary story. Explore five sections of walled gardens crammed with tender exotic species from around the world and a huge kitchen garden to inspire you’re the Good Life fantasies.
Forget Stonehenge and head for Cornwall’s own stone circle Men-an-Tol. Take a picnic and your camera for some stunning shots and test out the old folk’s tale that if you crawl through the hole, you will never have back problems again. Simply meaning holed stone’ Men-an-Tol is one of the best known megalithic structures in Britain – and its original use remains a mystery. Penzance TR20 8YX
Got a taste for the ancient? Track down the Merry Maidens stone circle in nearby Lamorna. Also called Dans Maen (dancing stones) they inspired folk tales of dancing maidens turned to stone for merrymaking on the Sabbath Penzance TR19 6BQ
Don’t miss The Man Engine
10 years ago Cornwall was declared a World Heritage Site for mining. To celebrate this anniversary a 10 metre mechanical puppet (the largest ever constructed in Britain) will be touring the length of the county travelling more than 130 miles in two weeks and hits Penzance for a day-long celebration on 5 August. Highlights include: a mine cart soapbox derby down Penzance’s main street, fancy dressed promenade, street food market stalls and farmers’ market, music and street entertainment, local inventors and trails.
