"Penzance" Top 5 Page for this destination Penzance by angelis

Penzance Travel Guide: 78 reviews and 211 photos

under construction

Egyptian House is a fascinating building on Penzances' oldest Street. It is rather an incongruous sight and very beautiful. It was built by the mineriologist John to house a geological museum and now belongs to the landmark trust. Alongside the hiroglyphics on the outside run the crests of George III and IV and William IV.

Penzance Harbour

Penzance is not a massive town, but it is the biggest in the Land's End peninsula ( also known as Penwith). The harbour is the most westerly on The Channel and is split into two parts. The outer area is tidal and contains luxury yachts to tiny row boats. The small inner harbour is enclosed and houses a shipwrights and repair dock. Watching the massive Scily Isles ferry Scilonia III manouver its way in hilarious and seems to be a local past-time.
Every summer thousands of tourists flock here for sun, sand, sea and of course the great views across Mounts Bay. Penzance is the place to come to catch the ferry Scililonia III or the helicopter to the Scily Isles.
The original spelling was Pen-Sans which means Holyhead in old Cornish. It refers to the now eroded headland on the site of Battery Rocks where stood the tiny chapel of St Anthony.
Until the town recieved its Charter of Incorporation from James II in 1614, it was overshadowed by nearby Mousehole.

Penzance has the only promenade in Cornwall. It stretches from the towns station right down towards Newlyn, passing Penzance's harbour and dry dock and is a beautiful walk on a sunny day. On windy days the sea can blow right over the promenade so wear your waterproofs!

Pros and Cons

Pros:Views, summer weather, winter storms,
Cons:Crowded in summer,

Intro Updated Mar 16, 2003
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Reviews (5)

Borrowed portrait of Sir Humphrey Davy - Penzance

Sir Humphrey Davy Favorites (3)

Humphrey Davy was born in Penzance, on 17th December 1776. The town has a statue of him and a pub named after him. There... more travel advice

What's he looking for?? Restaurants (1)

The Admiral Benbow pub built in the 17th Century, on Chapel Street in Penzance is worth a look if only for the smugglers... more travel advice

Old Market Favorites (3)

This is the view you see at the top of Penzance's main street. The statue is a monument to Humphrey Davy and behind it... more travel advice

The town Favorites (3)

Penzance is a small town and the best to explore it is to wander on foot and discover all those little alleyways. It was... more travel advice

Transportation (1)
Penzance railway station

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Comments (10)

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psychocy Jul 6, 2005 at 8:28 AM

Great page on Penzance, good history!
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iandsmith Nov 8, 2004 at 2:02 PM

Nice work, interesting detailed history.
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margaretvn Jul 1, 2003 at 10:30 AM

I love Penzance - well remember a very good handcraft shop there!
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hayward68 Mar 27, 2003 at 4:25 PM

Last time I was in Penzance the wind was so strong I almost fell over!
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heplion Mar 17, 2003 at 3:03 AM

I enjoyed the info and photos, thanks!
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bonio Mar 16, 2003 at 11:03 AM

I've been to that bank but not the pub though, a little worrying, nice page!
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jide08 Mar 13, 2003 at 9:03 AM

good photos/tips.
nice town, good start
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dr.firas Mar 9, 2003 at 9:38 AM

Cool Page!!
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kaloz Feb 15, 2003 at 5:39 PM

I am the very model of a modern major general . . . Interesting tidbit "Humphrey Davy invented the light on miners hats."
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HORSCHECK Feb 2, 2003 at 8:12 AM

Brilliant introduction about Penzance. Waiting for more to come ... :-)