The charming town of Penzance at the very far west of Cornwall has just been named as one of the UK's seven best beach towns by National Geographic Traveller UK. It was praised for its revival in recent years and its cultural festivals, a vibrant food scene, improved travel links, and charming accommodations, all set against a backdrop of its stunning natural beauty and artistic heritage. The upcoming 10-day Golowan Festival in June features music, performances, parades, and even fireworks.
The Penlee House Gallery and Museum and its subtropical gardens are definitely a must-see. The gallery showcases works from the Newlyn School of artists, offering a glimpse into the region's creative local history, while the surrounding subtropical gardens offer a great place to enjoy Penzance's mild microclimate.
Not only is Penzance a hub for art and culture, but it also offers an abundance of natural beauty and seaside experiences, making it the perfect destination for a sunny weekend away.
The Jubilee Pool is a massive geothermal seawater pool that was first opened in 1935. It is the UK's largest seawater pool and is a great example of how Penzance is a unique seaside town.
The open-air lido is right on the sea and is a stunning masterpiece of 1930s art deco architecture and naturally heated to 28–30 degrees.
Penzance offers a range of other memorable seaside activities, including wildlife cruises where you can see dolphins, porpoises, and grey seals, horse beach rides at Marazion, kayaking and paddle boarding in Mounts Bay, and even surfing at Sennen Beach.
With direct trains from London, Penzance is a great base from which to see nearby gems like St Michael's Mount, the dramatic cliffs of Land's End, the open-air Minack Theatre, the charming village of Mousehole, and the crystal-clear waters of the Isles of Scilly.
Don't miss: The incredible 11-mile walk from pretty seaside town to one of UK's best beaches
Don't miss: Cornwall's 'best places to live' including one 'returning to glory days' - list
Don't miss: I spent 48 hours in one of UK's best seaside towns - here's date you must visit
The other towns mentioned in National Geographic's top seven UK beach towns include Margate, Barmouth, Scarborough, Weymouth, Whitley Bay, and North Berwick.
Known for the Turner Contemporary gallery and the seaside Dreamland amusement park, Margate has become increasingly popular over recent years and has become a trendy destination with sandy beaches and independent shops.
Scarborough, in North Yorkshire, also has nostalgic seaside charm with modern attractions like the Open Air Theatre and a revamped West Pier.
The underrated gem of North Berwick, in East Lothian also has beautiful beaches, coastal walks, and boat trips to the nearby islands as well as the Fringe by the Sea festival.
Related articles
- 'Truly wonderful' UK hotel with sea views in 'end of the line town'
- Locals up in arms in beautiful UK seaside town over plans to plant more flowers
- The UK’s longest train journey that lasts 13 hours and ends in seaside town
- The ‘insane’ £35k pumping station on sale in pretty UK seaside town
- UK's longest train journey spanning an incredible 774-miles to be scrapped