Penzance

One of the most noticeable things about Penzance is that it’s still a Cornish town with a strong sense of community and a relaxed friendly pace of life, it’s also a centre of culture, art & humour.

Set on the edge of Mounts Bay, Penzance enjoys glorious views. It also enjoys a wonderfully mild climate as the Morrab Gardens in the town bear witness. The railway reached Penzance in 1859 and from then on it became a popular seaside holiday town with its long 4 miles of sandy beaches and the Promenade so beloved of Victorians.

The town has the only seashore promenade in Cornwall, which extends from the harbour towards the fishing port of Newlyn - a mile or so to the west. The Harbour is still a busy commercial port both for fishing fleets and also as a point from which to visit the Isles of Scilly.

Penzance is famed for its flowers, being favoured by a very mild climate, and a profusion of flowers and palm trees will be found in the town’s Morrab Gardens.

Close by, Penlee House Gallery & Museum is an elegant gallery set within a Victorian house and park. Changing exhibitions mainly feature the art of the area from 1880 to 1940, often including the famous ‘Newlyn School’ artists such as Stanhope and Elizabeth Forbes, Walter Langley, Harold Harvey and ‘Lamorna’ Birch. There is an extensive photographic archive, holding thousands of images, which can be studied via a computer terminal within the Museum. Penlee House also offers an excellent café and shop.

The town’s former telephone exchange has been transformed into the largest single gallery space in the region, with an undulating glass façade. The dramatic glass panels are illuminated by a changing light display, designed by Penwith based artist Peter Freeman.

Called The Exchange, the new gallery is a large T-shape, with features that preserve the original industrial feel of the building in its former use.

Established in September 2006, Cornwall Contemporary, in Chapel Street, has earned a reputation for exhibiting the very best painting, sculpture, ceramics and artist made jewellery from Cornwall and beyond. Set?out over 3 spacious floors, solo exhibitions run alongside mixed work from renowned Cornish artists and up and coming graduates new to the art scene. Supply your address details if you wish to be added to their exclusive mailing list.

Pure Nuff Stuff is a Cornish skincare company specialising in hand made chemical-free lotions, potions, soaps and toiletries.

Egypt House, Chapel Street

Housed in the fabulous Egyptian House on historic Chapel Street, half of the premises is workshop, which is open to the public weekday afternoons to view everything from soap to lip gloss being made, and the other half is shop, where you can browse the full range of finished products and treat yourself to some affordable natural skincare.

The Honey Pot in Parade Street was re-opened in 2006, having been a meeting place in Penzance, almost continuously since 1860. Situated opposite the Acorn Theatre, tucked away in the heart of the town, The Honey Pot is open Mon-Sat 10am-6pm.

This is an eatery committed to offering high-quality home cooked food, with the emphasis on using local and organic produce. There are daily specials and salads for which the café is famous, light lunches and a truly mouth-watering range of cakes, cheesecakes and treats. We are also renowned for our gluten-free selection of cakes, specials and salads.

If you’re heading out to the Minack Theatre, pop in and order a gourmet sandwich, salad and a sweet treat as your picnic to relish before the performance.

You are able to reserve tables for lunch or during busy periods, leave us your mobile number and we can call you as soon as we have a table.