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Overview
Remote Penzance is surrounded by a land of myths and legends. Once a smuggler's haunt, the town has a few tales to tell, while its cove-studded coastline is a magnet for visitors looking for the traditional seaside holiday.
Seaside
Swim from the wide sweep of sand that stretches from Penzance round Mount's Bay to Marazion. Take the kids to the tiny beach by the harbour at Mousehole. Ride the waves at Sennen Cove and soak up the rays on the golden sands at Porthcurno. Poke around in the rock pools at smugglers' favourite, Prussia Cove.
Inland
Discover a land of legends, smugglers and wreckers. Wander through sub-tropical flora, a real novelty for England, at Morrab Gardens. Venture underground into the world of the tin miner at South Crofty Mine. Check out the narrow streets of Newlyn, a fishing village once renowned as the home of the 19th century Newlyn School of Artists.
Escape
Ramble the South West Coast Path through gorse and heather, passing hidden coves below. Marvel at the crashing waves constantly ravaging the cliffs at Land's End - next stop America. Explore abandoned mine engine houses perched on cliffs. Twitch for rare birds on the marshes at Marazion and walk the cobbled causeway at low tide to St Michael's Mount.
Adventure
Whether you want to be above or below the waves, make for Mount's Bay. Here you can windsurfoff the beaches and coves or dive down to shipwrecks. Speed freaks can get an adrenalin rush by kitesurfing along the beach or kiteboarding in the bay. If this sounds too exciting, hack the trails across the moors on horseback or cycle the Cornish Way from Land's End to Truro and beyond.
Eat & Drink
Spoil yourself with crescent-shaped pasties laden with meat, potatoes and turnips followed by indulgent clotted cream ice cream. Wash it down with Cornish mead made from fermented honey – the diet starts tomorrow. For something a little more sophisticated try Newlyn's very own crab chowder and freshly caught fish at seafront restaurants. Sample Mousehole's intriguing Stargazy Fish Pie.
Nightlife
Launch yourself into the summer crowds enjoying the long evenings by sampling the local brew in historic Chapel Street. Check out new bands testing their music at the open mic sessions at The Regent Bar. Pack into the Admiral Benbow before strutting your stuff at one of the clubs around town.
Take home
Clotted cream is for sharing so post a gift-wrapped supply to friends back home. Do the same with fudge, if you haven't eaten it first. Artists are drawn to Cornwall, so buy an original painting of your holiday location from one of the many galleries.
Content provided by Frommer's Unlimited © 2009, Whatsonwhen Limited.
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Feature
Guide
Prepare
Bring clothes for all seasons; shorts for those long summer days and waterproofs for those rainy interludes.
Penzance Year
Watch the thrills and spills in the South West Student Surf Kayak Competition in Gwythian, near Hayle (Apr). Join in ten days of fun with street entertainment and parades during Penzance's Golowan Festival and Mazey Day (Jun). Celebrate Mousehole's links with the sea at the Sea Salts and Sails Festival in July. Make a catch at the fun Newlyn Fish Festival, dedicated to all things fishing (Aug).
Public Holidays
New Year's Day (1 Jan), Good Friday (Mar/Apr), Easter Monday (Mar/Apr), May Day, Spring Bank Holiday (May), August Bank Holiday, Christmas Day (25 Dec), Boxing Day (26 Dec).
Weather
Cornwall's climate is milder than the rest of Britain, but November to February can be very wet with storms creating dramatic seas. The temperature rarely dips below freezing and May to August can be very warm (16C-28C).
Electricity
240V AC, 50 Hz, three-pin plugs are standard.
Dialling Code
+44 (national), (0)1736 + 6-figure number.
Penzance Tourist Info
Beaches
Choose from rugged bays, secluded coves and wide open stretches of white sand.
Secluded
Brave the cold but clear blue seas to the east of Penzance at Prussia Cove, a rocky haven with a delightful sandy beach reached on foot. Surprisingly undeveloped, Praa Sands is a real find tucked between Prussia Cove and Porthleven. Go west and duck through the granite tunnel at Porthgwarra to reach a tiny, almost tropical sandy beach.
Sporty
Join the throng of surfers that make their way to Cornwall every year. Only experienced surfers should take on the rolling waves at Porthleven, east of Penzance, but Gwenver Beach at Sennen Cove is perfect for body boarders. Get the adrenalin pumping with kitesurfing on Mount's Bay Beach and kiteboarding in Mount's Bay.
Family
Parents can relax on the broad, sandy Mount's Bay Beach between Penzance and Marazion. The shallow waters mean the kids can splash away quite safely. Toddlers can play without a care on the tiny beach by Mousehole Harbour. While away the hours making sandcastles on sandy Porthcurno beach.
Party
Gather a few friends and watch the sun go down over the Isles of Scilly from Sennen Cove. Take in a play at the Minack Theatre, carved into the rock, with the blue sea as a stunning backdrop. Don't expect the Penzance seashore to turn into an al fresco drinking den at night – go to town with the locals for a night out.
Fit in
There's no need to be fashion conscious in Cornwall – anything goes. Strip down to bikinis and shorts when the temperature rises but keep a fleece to hand for when those famous sea mists creep up.
Nightlife
Spend the evening sampling Penzance's many hostelries or boogie late into the night in the clubs.
Buzzing: Chapel Street
Join throngs of locals and visitors sampling the real ale in historic pubs along Chapel Street. Peer into the tunnel used by smugglers to bring their booty to the Turk's Head Pub. Or enjoy live jazz at Chapel Street Brasserie & Wine Bar on Sunday nights.
Fun: Market Jew Street
Choose from a selection of pubs and wine bars to get the evening started before heading to nearby Club 2000 for hip-hop sounds or to the Barn Club, Penzance's largest venue, with live bands.
Nightlife Tips
Drinking sessions start early in Penzance. Don't worry though - many bars are open until 2am so late starters can still have many hours of fun.
Drinks of choice
Give some of the Cornish ales a go and try a swift half of Knocker Ale or Betty Stogs Bitter. If you have a sweeter tooth, you can't go wrong with Cornish mead.
Content provided by Frommer's Unlimited © 2009, Whatsonwhen Limited.
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