Penzance

Penzance is the Capital of the far west of Cornwall set in Mounts Bay, overlooking the beautiful St. Michael's Mount. Penzance ('holy headland' from the Cornish pen and sans) to the small rocky headland to the south of the harbour and the chapel which once stood just inland (on or close to the site of the present church), has been the main commercial centre for the entire Lands End peninsula, known historically as Penwith has the retail, commercial, transport and residential facilities needed for the whole area.

This is a place of great vitality and originality with much of interest to see and do: the Penlee House Gallery and Museum in Penlee Park has a fascinating collection of paintings by the Newlyn School and the Lamorna group of artists; the statue of Sir Humphry Davy in Market Jew Street commemorates one of the greatest chemists this country has ever produced ("the Cornishman of genius par excellence", as A.L. Rowse has called him); and Trinity House's national lighthouse museum is down by the harbour.

The Scillonian III operates from Lighthouse Pier with a daily service to and from St Mary's on the Isles of Scilly; there are also regular helicopter flights to the islands from the heliport on the eastern edge of the town.

The fishing has mainly gone but the small fishing fleet sails from Newly, a working town around the bay just west of penzance. You can buy freshly caught fish in a number of the harbour side shops and if you fancy a day on the beautiful St Michael's Mount at low tide (twice aday) you can walk across the path from Marazion or alternatively take one of the small boats rides there. To see some photos of St Micheal's Mount please visit our Gallery section of our site.