Extensive information
Handy tips
The best destinations
Penzance, a historic port on the western side of the UK, is a popular weekend excursion in Cornwall with plenty of things to see and do. It has one of the mildest climates in the country and with its nearby Caribbean-like beaches you will struggle to resist the draw of this Celtic town. If you plan to visit Penzance for the weekend and need to know how to spend your time then you are reading the right article. You don't have to do anymore research because we carefully selected the best things to do in Penzance for you!
.jpg)
Just a mile away from Lands End and only 20 minutes drive from Penzance, at Sennen beach, a surfing adventure awaits you! This gorgeous white sand beach faces the powerful waves of the Atlantic and makes the ideal surf destination for beginners and pros alike! If you fancy trying your hand at surfing, then Sennen Surfing Centre the place to go. From mid-April until mid-September, the centre is open seven days a week and welcomes surfing enthusiasts of all abilities. The team of award-winning surf experts will walk you step-by-step through the ultimate surfing experience in Sennen. Catch every wave no matter your skill level. The Sennen Surfing Centre offers lessons for beginners, improvers, and advanced surfers. You can reserve spots for the whole family with a discount. Book your private lesson today!
The Jubilee Pool, the biggest seawater pool in the UK and famous for its Art Deco style, is a must-see during your visit to Penzance. During the summer, entertainment, music, and sports events take place at this unique venue. The triangular pool has a capacity of 600 swimmers, so make sure to book a ticket in advance! There is a cafe with the beautiful views over Mount's Bay offering delicious dishes that use local ingredients and cater for special diets (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and more). If you don't fancy a swim, but are still wanting a relaxing seaside stroll, then Penzance's Promenade is the place to be, especially during a sunny summer afternoon.
Let the fresh scent of Penzance's gardens take you on a colourful and exotic trip through palms and ferns. Even though it would be great to visit both Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens and Trengwainton Garden, it's up to you to choose the one you like the most!
The Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens have rich vegetation, which includes sub-tropical plants that flourish all year long. Apart from the gardens, the Tremenheere Gallery hosts contemporary art exhibitions and events of local, national, and international artists. The beautiful scenery is also used for wedding ceremonies to celebrate this special day in a leafy paradise.
The Trengwainton Garden is probably a more romantic landscape with wooded paths, garden streams, and meadows. In the 1920s, British plant-hunting travellers brought back a plethora of seeds from all over the world that still embellish the garden today. Among the thousands of beautiful plants, the ones that stand out are magnolias, camellias, and rhododendrons.
Add a touch of art and culture to your trip with a visit to the Minack Theater. The theater is built like an amphitheatre and is open to the elements. It dates back to 1929 and was erected shortly after the end of World War I. The theatre is built on a cliff above Porthcurno Beach and enjoys a stunning location with views of the coastline. During the summer months, you can enjoy a unique performance in this magical location. Make sure to book a ticket in advance to watch a Shakespeare play or the famous Pirates of Penzance by Gilbert & Sullivan under a star-studded summer sky for a truly memorable experience!
There are, of course, indoor cultural venues, of which the most visited ones are the Penlee House Gallery and Museum and the Newlyn Art Gallery. Penlee House Gallery is a Victorian-style museum and displays ancient artifacts from the Neolithic era to modern art, such as paintings by the Newlyn School. There may not be a permanent exhibition, but there are always thematic exhibitions and workshops. The museum also houses findings of the natural history of the area and the Antiquarian Society collection. If you are fascinated by modern art, then you should definietely visit the Newlyn Art Gallery and its recent expansion, ‘The Exchange in Penzance’. For 125 years, the gallery has featured contemporary inspirations of artists from around the world. Wander through the two gallery spaces and let your imagination interpret the projects, installations, and projects.
Αlthough far from the rest of the UK, Penzance has many advantages thanks to its geographical location. You can visit the picturesque fishing village of Mousehole, or if you have time, take the ship to Scilly Isles. At Mousehole, take a wander around the harbour and among the small alleys to discover craft shops or enjoy a hot cup of tea at one of the cosy tearooms. The village is quite small, so two hours is enough to see it all without rushing.
If you ask Penzance locals, which place in the area is worth the visit, most of them will point to Scilly Isles. You need to know in advance that the boat trip takes two and a half hours, but this may be the only opportunity to visit this beautiful archipelago. Here, people enjoy a calmer pace of life and will entice you to follow the example of a more relaxed life. Get acquainted with sea creatures, such as sea turtles, seals, dolphins, and even sharks. The Scilly Isles are representative of the quality and fresh seafood and pure local products used for cooking delicious specialties. Even in this small corner of the world, you will find cultural and historical finds, mainly associated with the maritime heritage of the place.