Penzance - The Perfect Base For Exploring West Cornwall   by Ade Lewis

in Travel / Destinations    (submitted 2011-08-21)

Penzance, situated at the southern tip of Cornwall and sheltered by Mounts Bay is the closest town to Land's End.

In the traditional Cornish dialect it was originally called 'Pen Sans' meaning Holy Headland, due to the chapel that was once situated close to the harbour. The town and surrounding area were renowned centuries ago as being a popular haunt for pirates. Penzance itself has a rich heritage, dating back hundreds of years and the evidence of its historical past remains evident today. Strict planning rules in many areas of the town have helped to preserve a great deal of its original character.

Penzance was granted its first Royal Charter in 1512 and over the years the area has developed into a wonderfully artistic and vibrant area with a great atmosphere. Once a major fishing town with the fishing industry as the main source of wealth, it now caters primarily for the tourist industry and boasts a steady increase in tourism each year due to its huge popularity with a diverse range of visitors.

Despite being tucked away in the far corner of the UK, access is easy by road due to an excellent network of dual carriageways and motorways. There are also a number of straightforward coach and rail links to the town.

Penzance makes a perfect base for exploring west Cornwall. The area benefits from one of the warmest climates in Britain due to the warm Atlantic Gulf Stream which provides a comfortable, temperate climate throughout the year and encourages spring flowers to bloom early.

During the Victorian era, many exotic plants and seeds were introduced to the area and there are now many collections of tender trees and rare tropical plants growing in the area which cannot be found anywhere else in the UK. With its stunning range of sub-tropical plants and trees, the area has a distinctly romantic, Mediterranean feel to it.

June is a particularly popular time for Penzance when its popular Golowan Festival draws in thousands of visitors and hotels and rooms become scarce. The Golowan Festival is based on an ancient tradition which celebrates and marks the arrival of Midsummer. This ten-day festival treats visitors to a combination of parades, live music, entertainment and art. Other entertainment includes spectacular fires, firework displays and a fair with traditional rides. The Streets of Penzance become decked with fresh flowers, bright banners and a huge array of colour.

Another popular event in the area is the Newlyn Fish Festival which is held yearly on the last Monday of August. This festival celebrates Newlyn's heritage of fishing which has been an essential part of Cornish life and which has helped Penzance become the thriving town that it is today. During this festival, many different types of boats fill the entire harbour and a range of the area's regularly caught fish are displayed in the local fish market. Numerous stalls are available and entertainment is provided for visitors.

Penzance caters well for families who will find endless choices of food outlets and shopping facilities. The rural area surrounding Penzance has been inhabited for thousands of years and offers history enthusiasts the opportunity to lose themselves visiting some of the many ancient monuments that have survived.

For art lovers Penzance is a wonderful area to explore having the highest concentration of artists in found in Britain outside of London, this is reflected in the numerous artists' studios and art galleries in the area. The Art Gallery situated at Penlee Park has been open since 1895 and houses work by several famous artists such as Stanhope Forbes along with work by students from the local Newlyn School. There are a number of excellent private galleries to be found and the nearby town of St Ives offers world-class galleries such as the Tate, the Barbara Hepworth Museum and the Leach Pottery.

About the Author

Venton Vean is a newly restored Penzance Bed and Breakfast situated in the Penzance Conservation Area, overlooking Penlee Park and located just minutes' walk from the seafront and town centre. With eclectically furnished bedrooms combining period features with modern art and design, together with a passion for good food, we aim to offer you a unique, comfortable and relaxing stay. Bed and Breakfast Penzance.