Destination guides > Europe > England > Southwest England > Cornwall > Penzance
Penzance
Famed for its history of swashbuckling pirates, Penzance makes an ideal base for exploring Lands End and the Penwith Peninsula. It is very popular with tourists although there isn't a great deal to do in the town centre.
Practical information
Penzance Tourist Information Centre
Station Road, Penzance
Tel (01736) 362 207
Website www.visit-westcornwall.com
Open Jan-Apr Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 10am-1pm; May-Sep Mon-Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 10am-1pm; Oct-Dec Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 10am-1pm
Coming & going
BUS & COACH
First have frequent buses to destinations throughout Cornwall. Useful routes include buses 1, 1A, 1B and 300 to Lands End, buses 9 and 300 to St Just and bus 16 to St Ives.
National Express (tel 0870 580 8080) has coaches to Birmingham, Exeter, London, Plymouth.
Buses and coaches terminate near the train station on Wharf Road.
TRAIN
First Great Western trains go to Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Exeter, London (Paddington), Plymouth and St Ives. The train station is on Wharf Road near Albert Pier.
Hostel accommodation
Penzance Backpackers (the Blue Dolphin)
Alexandra Road, Penzance
Tel (01736) 363836
Penzance YHA
Castle Horneck, Alverton, Penzance
Bus 5, 6
Tel (01736) 362 666
YMCA Cornwall
International House, The Orchard, Alverton, Penzance TR18 4TE
Tel (01736) 334820
Sightseeing, museums & tourist attractions
St Michael's Mount
With a striking appearance similar to Mont St Michel in France this island off the coast from Marazion, 5km from Penzance, is home to a Benedictine monastery that incorporates a church, a castle and a small village at its base. At low tide you can walk across a causeway to get to the Mount; a ferry (£1) runs at other times.
Bus 2, 2A, 17A, 32
Tel (01736) 710 507
Website www.stmichaelsmount.co.uk
Admission £6.60, gardens £3, castle & gardens £8.10
Open Apr-Oct 10.30am-4.45pm daily
