Matt Munro

Penzance

Overlooking the majestic sweep of Mount's Bay, the old harbour of Penzance has a salty, sea-blown charm that feels altogether more authentic than many of Cornwall's polished-up ports. Its streets and shopping arcades still feel real and a touch ramshackle, and there's nowhere better for a windy-day walk than the town's seafront Victorian promenade.

Explore Penzance

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Madron Holy Well
Down a muddy track lined by hawthorn hedges, this natural spring has been revered since ancient times, and its waters are reputed to have magical and…
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Chapel Street
The cream of Penzance's heritage architecture can be seen along Chapel St, which is lined with a wealth of beautifully preserved Georgian buildings.
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Tremenheere Sculpture Garden
This inventive garden opened just outside Penzance in 2012. The landscaped gardens sit in a sheltered valley awash with artworks and installations: look…
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Tanglewood Wild Garden
This secret garden is the very definition of a labour of love. When the owners bought it in 2001, it was little more than a tangle of brambles and…
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Penlee House Gallery & Museum
This small museum is ideal for a primer on the artistic heritage of West Cornwall. It has a fine collection of paintings by artists of the Newlyn School …
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Exchange
Housed in Penzance's former telecoms building, this gallery hosts regular exhibitions of contemporary art. It's the sister gallery to the Newlyn Art…
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Trengwainton
Two miles north of Penzance near Madron is the walled garden of Trengwainton, which has a subtropical collection of ferns, shrubs, magnolias and…
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Egyptian House
The Egyptian House looks like a bizarre cross between a Georgian townhouse and an Egyptian sarcophagus and was originally built for a wealthy mineralogist…
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Statue of Humphry Davy
This statue honours Penzance's most famous son, chemist and inventor Humphry Davy, who invented the miners' safety lamp and discovered the elements…

M
Madron Holy Well
Down a muddy track lined by hawthorn hedges, this natural spring has been revered since ancient times, and its waters are reputed to have magical and…
C
Chapel Street
The cream of Penzance's heritage architecture can be seen along Chapel St, which is lined with a wealth of beautifully preserved Georgian buildings.
T
Tremenheere Sculpture Garden
This inventive garden opened just outside Penzance in 2012. The landscaped gardens sit in a sheltered valley awash with artworks and installations: look…
T
Tanglewood Wild Garden
This secret garden is the very definition of a labour of love. When the owners bought it in 2001, it was little more than a tangle of brambles and…
P
Penlee House Gallery & Museum
This small museum is ideal for a primer on the artistic heritage of West Cornwall. It has a fine collection of paintings by artists of the Newlyn School …
E
Exchange
Housed in Penzance's former telecoms building, this gallery hosts regular exhibitions of contemporary art. It's the sister gallery to the Newlyn Art…
T
Trengwainton
Two miles north of Penzance near Madron is the walled garden of Trengwainton, which has a subtropical collection of ferns, shrubs, magnolias and…
E
Egyptian House
The Egyptian House looks like a bizarre cross between a Georgian townhouse and an Egyptian sarcophagus and was originally built for a wealthy mineralogist…
S
Statue of Humphry Davy
This statue honours Penzance's most famous son, chemist and inventor Humphry Davy, who invented the miners' safety lamp and discovered the elements…

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Penzance.

See
Madron Holy Well
Down a muddy track lined by hawthorn hedges, this natural spring has been revered since ancient times, and its waters are reputed to have magical and…
See
Chapel Street
The cream of Penzance's heritage architecture can be seen along Chapel St, which is lined with a wealth of beautifully preserved Georgian buildings.
See
Tremenheere Sculpture Garden
This inventive garden opened just outside Penzance in 2012. The landscaped gardens sit in a sheltered valley awash with artworks and installations: look…
See
Tanglewood Wild Garden
This secret garden is the very definition of a labour of love. When the owners bought it in 2001, it was little more than a tangle of brambles and…
See
Penlee House Gallery & Museum
This small museum is ideal for a primer on the artistic heritage of West Cornwall. It has a fine collection of paintings by artists of the Newlyn School …
See
Exchange
Housed in Penzance's former telecoms building, this gallery hosts regular exhibitions of contemporary art. It's the sister gallery to the Newlyn Art…
See
Trengwainton
Two miles north of Penzance near Madron is the walled garden of Trengwainton, which has a subtropical collection of ferns, shrubs, magnolias and…
See
Egyptian House
The Egyptian House looks like a bizarre cross between a Georgian townhouse and an Egyptian sarcophagus and was originally built for a wealthy mineralogist…
See
Statue of Humphry Davy
This statue honours Penzance's most famous son, chemist and inventor Humphry Davy, who invented the miners' safety lamp and discovered the elements…

Guidebooks

Learn more about Penzance

Uncover the heart of travel and be inspired to see new sights with one of Lonely Planet’s in-depth, award-winning guidebooks.