Penzance is a quaint town, the most westerly town on the south coast and home to the nearby Newlyn School of Art whose artists were influenced by the soft light cast there. Today it’s a thriving seaside resort and a good base for those with a hire car to visit the much smaller Cornish seaside villages.
Land’s End isn’t far away either, the most south westerly point in the UK, although not the southernmost whose title goes to The Lizard. Whilst in Penzance, make sure you visit St Michael’s Mount for a spectacular look back at the Cornish mainland.
Penzance Mini Guide
Hiring a car is a great way to explore what is one of the most scenic parts of England and there are some stunning coastal drives which you can do. Another place you can drive to without too much difficulty is Trereife House and this 18th century manor house opens its rooms and gardens to visitors. If you are lucky, a traditional English Tea will be served there so that you can tuck in to some delicious scones and enjoy a traditional pot of tea.
Once you have driven around the surrounding countryside, take some time to walk through the centre of town and enjoy the quaint sights which make Penzance one of the United Kingdom’s most charming towns. These include the fisherman’s statue in Newlyn Promenade, a long promenade which dates back to the 19th century. Newlyn is also the name of a school of art and the Newlyn artists’ paintings can be seen in the splendid Queen’s Hotel which has a good collection of work.
All around you will see some stunning architecture including examples of Art Deco, Georgian and Regency buildings. Be sure to see the Egyptian House and the Market House, they are among the most handsome buildings in the south of England. Furthermore Penzance Town Hall (known as St Johns Town Hall) is one of the biggest granite buildings in the world. With some incredible pubs and incomparable architecture, you will want to devote at least one whole day to seeing Penzance. Take your camera!
It takes around six hours to drive from
London to Penzance and the routes you would use are via the motorways M4 and M5, followed by the A30 road.
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