Penzance

Image by Paul Watts - supplied by Visit Cornwall

A body of water dominated by the grandeur of St. Michael's Mount. Located just 10 miles from Land's End, an area of Celtic culture and outstanding natural beauty surrounds the town.

Named "Pen Sans" in the ancient Cornish language, meaning "Holy Headland", referring to the headland to the western side of the harbour on which a chapel was established by early Christians well over 1000 years ago.

The town received Royal Charters for its harbour in 1512, for markets and fairs in 1592 and was formally incorporated by Royal Charter in 1614.

With a population of approx 20,000, it is both a market town and a popular tourist destination, and features an attractive promenade on its sea front. There are several historic houses in the town, amongst Regency and Georgian terraces, along with a number of museums and galleries.

The town has the most westerly major harbour on the English Channel and, from there, ferry services operate to the Isles of Scilly, which lie some 28 miles beyond Lands End augmented by air services from both Penzance and Land's End.

Upcoming Events

Penzance Vintage Bus Day - Sunday 19 April 2026

Enjoy a day out with a difference, travelling by vintage buses and coaches across the West Cornwall peninsula for free.

Golowan Festival - Friday 19 June 2026 to Sunday 28 June 2026

Golowan is an annual 10-day festival of events that culminates in a street festival on the last weekend in June where thousands attend a spectacle of giant wicker models paraded through the town, street performances, street music, theatre, and the Golowan live music and DJ Marquee. This annual event is much loved and is the biggest event in the calendar for this southwest Cornish community. It is a 35-year revival festival of the Feast of St. John and the midsummer solstice that is delivered by the whole community and has grown into one of the biggest street festivals in South England.

For more information click here.

Mazey Day - Saturday 27 June 2026

In the Mazey Day parade is the main event of the Golowan Festival, there are wonderful parade structures that have been imaginatively designed to fit each year’s festival theme. These carnival creations are created by children and staff from local schools working with local artists.

Penzance LitFest - Tuesday 07 July 2026 to Saturday 11 July 2026

Penzance LitFest has delivered a diverse programme of events from music to mystery, humour to history, and poetry to performance art. Famous faces, new local writers, and our renowned writing workshops have all surprised and delighted our audiences.

For more information visit website.