Penzance

accommodation

nightlife

Penzance is one of Cornwall's most vibrant and culture filled towns you will find. Once you enter the town centre you won't find it hard to find an art gallery, restaurant or bar. Penzance town overlooks the waters of Mounts Bay (below) providing the town with an amazing backdrop, especially during sunrise.

The pinnacle of Penzance's art scene is the new 'Exchange' gallery which was opened in the summer of 2007, and has been a huge success with both local and tourists alike. If art isn't your cup of tea, then just down the road from 'The Exchange' you can find one of Cornwall's and The Isles of Scillies' four Michelin Star restaurants, The Abbey.

One of the most prominent features is the promenade which stretches from Jubilee Pool to Newlyn Harbour. Jubilee Pool is one of Cornwall's only outdoor public pools and stretches into Mounts Bay, overlooking the magnificent St.Michaels Mount. Another pool recently opened is at Penzance's new leisure centre which has all of fitness and sports state of the art equipment.

Throughout the last week of June in Penzance, they celebrate 'Golowan' with the highlight being Mazey Day which is a celebration of street parades, dancing, music, performing arts and partying.

Penzance is also the major link route for access to The Isles of Scilly where you can (weather permitting) get daily flights and sea travel.

Transport Links and Getting to Penzance

Penzance is located approximately 5 miles from the end of the A30 road and 286 miles or 5 hours by car from London

Penzance's railway station is situated at the bottom of Market Jew Street and close to the harbour. Most services are operated by First Great Western both local services to St.Erth, St.Ives, Hayle, Camborne, Redruth and Truro and direct trains linking Penzance with Plymouth, Exeter St.Davids, Bristol Temple Meads, Reading and London Paddington. The night train offers an overnight sleeper service to and from Reading and London. Journey time to Plymouth is typically under 2 hours; to Bristol around 4 hours, and London less than 5½ hours.

Cross Country run a small number of services (departing in the morning, returning in the evening) via Bristol and Birmingham New Street to Glasgow Central via Preston and Carlisle, also to Dundee via Leeds, York, Newcastle and Edinburgh Waverley The journey time to Birmingham is just under 5½ hours, and nearly 10 hours to Glasgow.

The bus and coach station is adjacent to the railway station from where National Express operates coach services to London Victoria (taking around 9 hours) via Heathrow Airport. Local bus services connect Penzance with most major towns in Cornwall.

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Penzance Photography by Adam Gibbard