The seaside town of Penzance

Penzance is the westernmost major town in Cornwall, perched on the curve of Mount's Bay with sweeping views across to the silhouette of St Michael's Mount. Long a harbour town serving the mining and fishing industries of west Cornwall, it has retained a strong sense of its maritime past while developing a relaxed, artistic character that draws visitors all year round.

The seafront is anchored by the Jubilee Pool, a striking Art Deco lido that opened in 1935 and remains one of the largest seawater pools in the UK. Behind the promenade, Chapel Street climbs into the old town past the flamboyant Egyptian House, independent galleries, antique shops and historic inns such as The Turk's Head. Market Jew Street, the main thoroughfare, leads up to the granite-columned Market House and a statue of locally born chemist Sir Humphry Davy.

Penzance is also the gateway to the far west, with the harbour serving as the departure point for the Scillonian ferry and Penzance railway station marking the end of the line from London Paddington. From here visitors can easily reach Newlyn, Mousehole, Land's End and the open-air Minack Theatre, making the town a natural base for exploring this rugged corner of Cornwall.