What's there to do in and around Penzance?

[Scotstar91]

We're holidaying in the UK this year and staying in Penzance.

Does anyone have any recommendations, for days out / places to eat / drink etc? We have teenagers!

Tate St Ives
Barbara Hepworth sculpture garden
Lands End for the obligatory selfie
Eden Project
Mount St Michael

Minack theatre
Park up at Paul and wander down to Mousehole

Visit the Minack, Porthcurno (and the telephone museum if interested).

Don't have to go for a show, just a day visit on a sunny day is great. Preference will little wind!

• Swim at the geothermal pool in Penzance (book ahead)
• Dinner at the Artist’s Residence in Penzance
• walk to St Michael’s Mount and get the boat back
• visit the ancient sites of West Penwith (Boscawen Un and others) - teens into alternative spirituality will love this
• walk the St Michael’s Way from Penzance to St Ives
• surfing at Porthmeor in St Ives followed by tapas dinner at Porthmeor Cafe
• take the Scillonian to the Isles of Scilly
• mooch about the independent bookshops in Penzance

I’m Cornish local so happy to share more ideas if you need them

Avoid the Tate and Porthcurno. Will be heaving.

The outdoor pool is the best thing ever .... booked a session there last year - it was a miserable, cold day but I had a wonderful hour in the pool (the main but - not even the heated part ).

Minack theatre.
Yes to Porthcurno being heaving. But if you get there very early you might be ok.

I think the telegraph museum is near by but we haven't made it there yet.

The Honey Pot in Penzance is wonderful for brunch. And Totti for superb woodfired pizza.

Walk to Mutton Cove by Godrevy to look for seals.

Also... a long walk at Gwithian at low tide, timed around lunch from the Hungry Horsebox (also look out for their evening beach events which they will be publishing soon)

We love that area of Cornwall. We're lucky enough to regularly stay at a friend's cottage in Paul, near Mousehole.

Our favourite places are:

• The Minark theatre - absolutely stunning. One of my favourite places in the world.
• Cape Cornwall for beautiful walks and a dip in the sea filled swimming pool in the rocks.
• Jubilee outside pool. I haven't tried the geothermal part yet as it's only recently opened but I hope to this year.
• Hayle beach and open air pool.
• Paradise Park - a lovely little zoo and soft play if you have kids.
• Flambards theme park
• Perrenethu beach (I'm pretty sure I've spelt that wrong)
• Praa Sands beach (I'm pretty sure I've spelt that right)
• Serren Cove and the best fish and chip shop ever on the main road before you turn off to the cove.

Lands End is rubbish but lots of people seem to go.

There's a few nice National Trust places too as well as an abundance of restaurants and pubs.

Jubilee pool

Minack Theatre
St Michael’s Mount
Chysauster
Trengwainton Gardens
Sennen Cove
Gwithian and Godrevy
Trevaskis Country Kitchen (Amazing puddings!)
Paradise Park at Hayle
Get the train from Lelant to St Ives
Hubbox at St Ives for food
Pasty from Philps in Hayle

Take a ferry to the Scilley Isles we had such an amazing time in Penzance so much to do nearby. St Michael's Mount, Porthcurno beach, mousehole, drive down to lands end.

Lizard and kynance cove.

Newlyn Meadery and Jelbert's ice cream. All you could possibly need.

Thai Moon restaurant in Penzance is little but food is great
Porthleven is a favourite place to visit.

Geevor used to be very interesting

Dress up and play pirates! You have to sing a lot.

Walk from Penzance to St Michaels Mount it's a lovely coastal walk. There's places to get coffee etc on the way.

There's a good escape room in Penzance!

Train to St Ives (don't drive in in the summer or, increasingly, at any time of year). The Porthminster cafes (Cafe, kitchen, and porthgwidden) are amazing, but pricey.
Philps pasties (best from their main shop in Hayle, but the Marazion one might also be useful for you). Moomaid of Zennor ice cream. (Lots of Cornish ice cream is really good, and totally agree with the Jelberts recommendation above), but I think Moomaid is my favourite.
Surfing lessons. Wildlife boat trips (there are several - the Marine Discovery in Penzance is particularly knowledgeable and brilliant).
One-way coastal walks making use of the open-top bus.
Sennen is a must visit. Get there early for the bottom car park. Porth Curno is also lovely - get there early for any car park at all. Or use the bus.
Haven't been to St Michael's Mount for years, but we loved it when we did go. Try to time it so you walk one way and get the boat the other.

Geevor Tin Mine
Cape Cornwall

Gurnard's Head pub at Zennor (on the north coast) for lunch & a walk at Cape Cornwall.

Godrevy / Gwithian beach (& walk to the top car park to see the seals).

Another vote for Paradise Park - their free flying bird shows are wonderful.

Harbour jumping at high tide into Porthleven harbour whilst you sit on the wall with a camera & a pint.

Don't drive to St Ives - take the train. Don't go to Kynance Cove if the overflow car park is open.

Ships & Castles indoor pool at Falmouth is useful if the weather is awful.

"Surf" the dunes at Holywell Bay.

Take the train to the request stop at Menheniot & visit Adrenalin Quarry - enormous water park, zip wire, giant swing & go karts.

Hunt for the Pirates. Sorry, couldn't resist

Tremenhere sculpture park is very near- I try to go every year - it's my favourite place- take a picnic. Try to be quiet in the quiet bits!! (Which you can avoid if that's not your thing)