This coastal town in southwest England has a 1930s Art Deco lido, an Egyptian-style historic building, and subtropical Morrab Gardens near its active harbor and seafront.
Penzance stretches along Mount's Bay at Cornwall's western tip, where you can swim in the Art Deco Jubilee Pool, walk past the Egyptian-styled facade on Chapel Street, or catch a ferry to the Isles of Scilly. Palm trees grow in the Victorian Morrab Gardens, while artists' galleries occupy former fishing warehouses. The geothermally heated pool and subtropical plants thrive in the town's mild climate, making it possible to swim outdoors even in winter.
Getting to Penzance
Direct trains run from London Paddington to Penzance in about 5 hours. By car, take the A30 from Exeter through Cornwall. The central bus station connects to Cornwall's towns and villages, while regular ferries depart from the harbor to the Isles of Scilly.
Swimming and Seaside Activities
The Jubilee Pool extends into the sea with its white Art Deco walls curving along the promenade. Seawater fills the main pool daily, and the geothermal section maintains 30-35°C temperatures year-round. Mount's Bay's protected waters create good conditions for swimming and windsurfing, with sandy beaches stretching toward St Michael's Mount.
Chapel Street and Architecture
Chapel Street descends to the harbor between buildings dating from the 1700s. The Egyptian House displays geometric patterns and bold colors on its facade, while the Admiral Benbow pub contains ship figureheads and maritime artifacts. Independent bookshops, art galleries, and craft stores occupy the Georgian townhouses along the street.
Gardens and Green Spaces
Morrab Gardens covers three acres of sloping ground where palm trees, tree ferns, and subtropical plants grow. A Victorian bandstand stands among winding paths, banana plants, and Japanese bitter orange trees. The garden's location and Cornwall's Gulf Stream climate create growing conditions similar to Mediterranean regions.
Art and Museums
At Penlee House, you'll find paintings by the Newlyn School artists from the late 1800s. Walter Langley and Stanhope Forbes captured daily scenes of fishing life in their works. The Exchange, a converted chapel from 2007, displays rotating contemporary art exhibitions.
Local Festivals
During June's Golowan Festival, musicians and performers fill the streets of Penzance. Mazey Day brings floral displays and community parades through the town. The Montol Festival in December continues old Cornish traditions with torch-lit processions marking the winter solstice.
About Penzance
Henry VIII granted the town its harbor charter in 1512. The town grew as a mining center in 1663 when it became an official coinage town. Local scientist Sir Humphry Davy invented the miners' safety lamp here in 1801. The town expanded during the 1800s as mining, fishing, and farming brought new commerce to the area.
