Book your accommodation around your plan for visiting Penzance
5 step plan for your visit to Penzance
Step 1:
It doesn’t matter how you travel to Penzance. By train, by car, by plane, coach or boat.
If you come by train from either Exeter, Bristol or even London, it takes longer than you think and during peak times you might not get a seat. But it is a journey that takes you through beautiful country side even before you get to Plymouth. So do enjoy travelling along the coast with the waves nearly touching the line and then suddenly you see St.Michael’s Mount. What a welcome
If you come by car from further away try to avoid the peak travelling time in the season. Season starts at Easter and runs until October. Which means that especially on a Saturday everybody is travelling to Penzance or back up country. Long queues on the A30/A38 or M4/M5 are likely. And during certain times of the day traffic around Penzance comes to a standstill. 930 – 1100hrs everybody is either travelling to a beach or if the weather is bad to the nearest town or amusement place. The same happens in reverse from about 1630hrs in the afternoon. If we have a spell of lovely weather do not expect to find a parking space at the popular beaches after 9ish They will have gone early in the morning even.
Sennen
The nearest International Airport is Newquay. Lots of flights from the continent during the season and internal flights from London daily. But make sure you either book a hire car or a taxi. Because there is no sensible bus connection from Newquay to Penzance. 
If you are travelling by coach from London, Exeter or Bristol it takes even longer than the train and you don’t have the beautiful countryside and seaside to look at. Just not advisable, only if you really have to.
But of course you might come with a travel company to Penzance and your transport is sorted all the way.
Step 2:
There are so many reasons why you should make Penzance the place to stay. I can only give you a taster. Penzance is an old town with a fascinating history. There is still so much to see from bygone days. From the remains of the old chapel that were found when the created St. Antony’s Garden.
To our famous Chapel Street with the Egyptian House
Our Lido. Rebuilt in 2016 after it’s destruction in storms of 2014
At it’s best
Wander along our promenade to Newlyn and Mousehole .Historic and famous places.
For your accommodation needs there are many Guest Houses, B&B, small hotels or hostels for you stay and to give you that holiday feeling. To get the best value accommodation direct from the local Guest houses please click on https://www.bookpenzance.com
In 2016 Penzance was recognised as the foodie town of the west. With superb restaurants and chefs. All of the restaurants in Penzance or Penwith are of the highest standard with chefs of international recognition.
Ben Tunnicliffe at the Tolcarne Inn, Newlyn & Sennen Cove
Bruce Renni at The Shore, Penzance
The Bay, Penzance Hotel
The Admiral Benbow & Turk’s Hed in Chapel Street
Too many to mention They are all superb
Step 3:
Penzance is the hub for you to stay. From the town you can reach the SWCP and start your hike. Lovely circular walking tours and hike back to Penzance. You can easily walk to St.Michael’s Mount (about 3 miles) via Long Rock and beach and walk on towards Perannuthnoe . A small village with an amazing beach, cafe, craft shop and gallery.
Between Long Rock and Marazion is our nature reserve. A haven for birdwatchers
Catch the bus to Mousehole and discover the old village, which was burned by the Spanish in 1595 in revenge for The Armada. Wander down to Newlyn and through the small streets where the artists lived and painted and played such an important part in the lives of the fishermen and women.
Land’ s End is easily reached. Spent a few hours at this multiplex amusement park or walk on towards Sennen or the other way towards Portcurno. High above the cliffs you find The Minack, our open air theatre overlooking the sea.
Visit St.Just, the old mining town with an ancient church and so many footpath leading to the coast. Cape Cornwall, Botallack and Geevor Tin Mine World Heritage Site.
Visit beautiful St. Ives. An old artist colony full of history. Walk along the small lanes, visit some art galleries and enjoy a meal or just coffee in one of the lovely restaurant. Risk eating a pasty or ice cream sitting along the harbour, because the seagulls will spot you and try to take your delicacy. Because the traffic is so horrendous in the summertime I suggest you either take the early morning train from Penzance or drive to St.Erth and take the train from there. There is also a park & ride further along. But the train ride along the coast is amazing.
St. Ives’ harbour
You can also walk from St.Uny Church, Lelant to St.Ives along the coast. Not too strenuous, but a few steep hills. And if you feel fit enough walk the St.Michaels’ Way from St. Ives to Marazion. Part of an old pilgrim route dating back to the middle ages.
Step 4:
This might be the most important step. It is all about the little idiosyncrasies that make life so different here in the far south west. If you are using public transport take your time. Summer traffic makes it very difficult for our busses to be on time. Do not expect to travel to Falmouth or Truro or even Tintagel by bus from Penzance. It will take you a life time. Falmouth and Truro are easy enough to get to if you go by train, but for Tintagel you better go up there for a couple of days to explore the castle and the countryside. Or hire a taxi .
The weather plays an important role during you holiday. It can be the most amazing sunshine mild day in January and cold in July. Be prepared.
Dreckly – this is a very important word in the Cornish language. It means don’t hold your breath. It might happen in 10 min , half an hour or tomorrow. Whenever ..
Enjoy these Cornish renowned foods
A Cornish pasty. A meat and vegetable filled pastry.
A Cornish cream tea. Jam first.
Saffron buns.
Cornish Fudge
Some heavenly fish and chips. locally caught fish
Step 5:
Important links for you to look up before you come to visit our lovely town.
Tourist Information Centre The Welcome to West Cornwall Centre 01736 335530
run by the National Trust. www.nationaltrust.org.uk
FGW www.gwr.com
Tin Coast – World Heritage Status www.nationaltrust.org.uk/tincoast
FirstKernow www.firstgroup.com/cornwall
Penlee House www.penleehouse.org.uk
Penzance District Tourism Association www.penzance.co.uk/tourism
Wild & Sea Swimming in Penwith
Step 6 *extra:
Enjoy and relax and have a lovely holiday