Welcome to Penzance

éTOP Jubilee Pool on Penzance's promenade

ÒRIGHT A trip to St Michael's Mount is a must

ÎINSET Culture vultures will love The Exchange gallery

Today, Penzance’s natural beauty, impressive architecture, vibrant community and independent shops and restaurants continue to captivate and inspire people to visit this bustling market town. If you’re visiting Penzance, be sure to tick off these top ten attractions.

Firstly, Penzance’s celebrated Art Deco lido on the promenade is well worth a visit. Opening in the spring, the pool is set to have a new geothermal pool heated via ‘hot rock’ technology, making it the UK’s only saltwater geothermal pool. Whilst you’re here, Penzance promenade (the only prom in Cornwall) has recently been refurbished, with lots of new designs etched into the surface, referencing its history over the centuries and serving as a lasting legacy of the town’s past, present and future.

Seen jutting out of Mount’s Bay, a trip here wouldn’t be complete without a jaunt across the causeway to St Michael’s Mount, so whether it’s a family holiday highlight or part of a group tour, be sure to include it! The mount is also home to some delightful gardens, as is the wider Penzance area. Explore the large-scale sculpture gardens of Tremenheere, before discovering the Grade II listed architecture, Victorian bandstand and haven of Mediterranean plants that make up Morrab Gardens. Visit the National Trust owned Trengwainton, with its extensive walled gardens and woodland walks (all of which are dog friendly), before immersing yourselves in the 15-acre paradise of Trewidden – home to over 300 Camellias and Magnolias.

Penzance has also become something of a creative hub, perfect for culture vultures! Penlee Museum, Theatre and Gardens houses a permanent collection of Newlyn School Paintings, and puts on a programme of changing exhibitions celebrating local arts and crafts. Penlee Open Air Theatre, meanwhile, offers a unique outdoor theatre space that has celebrated Cornish, national and international performers since 1948. Then there’s Penzance Exchange and Newlyn Art Gallery. For more than 120 years, Newlyn Art Gallery has been bringing the best in contemporary art to audiences in the south west. Now, along with The Exchange, it offers a wide and varied exhibition programme across two sites, presenting contemporary work in all media by regional, national and international artists.

Known as the ‘gateway to the west’ and with all of the above and more to offer, if you’re visiting the Penwith peninsula, a trip to Penzance is surely a must on your holiday itinerary. PENZANCE BID www.lovepenzance.co.uk Find more like this: www.cornwall-living.co.uk Known across the world as the home of myth, piracy and adventure, throughout history, Penzance has nurtured daring risk-takers, creative thinkers and independent minds alike.

walled gardens and woodland walks (all of which are dog friendly), before immersing yourselves in the 15-acre paradise of Trewidden – home to over 300 Penzance has also become something of

DID YOU KNOW? Penzance is also home to a wealth of historic architecture, including the iconic Egyptian House on Chapel Street – one of Cornwall’s most flamboyantly designed buildings.

EXPERIENCE

THE GARDENS OF PENZANCE For more about Penzance’s glorious gardens, be sure to visit: www.tremenheere.co.uk www.morrabgardens.org www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ trengwainton-garden www.trewiddengarden.co.uk Alternatively, turn to page 22 for more of Penwith’s gardens