In and Around Penzance

Much of the architecture of Penzance reflects the popularity the town enjoyed in Regency and Georgian times. It is well worth while walking down Chapel Street, which, as the most historic area of the town, contains many interesting houses and readily brings to mind the memories of ancient mariners, smugglers and pirates.

Every June Penzance plays host to the Golowan and Mazey Day celebrations. Revived in 1990, Golowan (meaning the Feast of St John) has grown into a major event spread out over a week and attracting tens of thousands of visitors.

The festival goes back to the pagan celebration of Midsummer and the St John’s Eve parade certainly reflects that aspect. The following day is Mazey Day, when traffic is banished from the centre of Penzance and stalls line the pavements. The highlight of the day is the series of colourful processions.

Overlooking the splendour and bustle of Penzance harbour the Renaissance Café offers undeniably the finest views bar none of Mounts Bay and the famous Mount itself.

Open daily from 10am the restaurant offers a menu as broad as the view, with a classy choice of pizzas, pastas, tapas, paninis and ciabatta sandwiches and much more. Starters, main meals and daily specials join the menu alongside local fish dishes and steaks to make this a total dining experience.

The light and airy room with high ceilings helps create a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, the service is prompt and friendly and the drinks selection will have something for everyone – arguably the finest coffee in Penzance!

Close by is the Dolphin Inn, which is said to have been the first place in Britain where tobacco was smoked. It is also said to have housed Sir John Hawkins during the wars with Spain and to have been the venue for trials over which Hanging Judge Jeffreys presided in the 17th century.

From Penzance harbour, ferries go to the Isles of Scilly. It is also possible to travel to the islands by helicopter from Penzance Heliport and by small plane from Land’s End Airport. A little way along the seafront in the direction of Newlyn is the art deco Jubilee Swimming Pool, opened in 1935.

The nearby sub-tropical Morrab Gardens, are well-worth a visit. They are also home to Morrab Library, one of the few remaining private libraries in the country.

In New Street, Harris’s Restaurant has been providing some of the best dining in Cornwall for the past thirty years. For lunches and evening meals it is a must for the relaxed atmosphere and its excellent quality of fine food sourced locally where possible i.e. shellfish and fish from Newlyn, local meat and game alongside a wonderful selection of desserts.

The interior has an eclectic decor throughout, the down stairs dining area has a superb pressed metal ceiling and a spiral staircase leading to a lounge-bar dining area upstairs. The fine wine list developed over the years by Mrs. Harris has a selection to suit most tastes. This is utterly fine dining from a redoubtable Penzance chef.