What do people really think of Penzance?

Not locals or regular visitors. That’s a love-fest of Penzance positivity. We’re talking about those folk who write about beautiful places for a living. The ones who have been there, done that and can cast a cool eye on what a town has to offer.

We’ve scoured a selection of the biggest publications from the past few years for Penzance reviews. Some are tourist sites and others ‘best places to live’ guides.

And what do they say?

For those of you who don’t like spoilers, look away now…

Basically, we are the BOMB. 💥👏🕺🏼

Here’s those awesome Penzance reviews…

‘Cornwall’s coolest seaside town’ – Condé Nast Traveller

Condé Nast Traveller. Bit posh. Probably wears very shiny shoes and turns left on planes.

But when the New York publication sashayed into PZ, we more than met its sky-high standards.

In its Best Places to Visit in Cornwall list in 2020, Penzance featured in the top spot. Condé Nast Traveller waxed lyrical on our Jubilee Pool, high-profile galleries and incredible foodie scene (name-checking our Michelin-starred chefs, too). Penzance, it said, has come into its own over the past few years.

In a previous article, it also described us as ‘Cornwall’s coolest seaside town’.

Oh, Condé Nast Traveller, we love you too. Mwah!

‘The No 1 place in Cornwall’ – Muddy Stilettos

Muddy Stilettos bills itself as ‘an intelligent, witty and indispensable guide to the countryside’.

It has scoured the UK for the best places to live and visit, so any town that thinks it can just rock up and secure top spot better damned well think again.

Unless it’s Penzance.

We featured prominently in its 250 Best Places to Live guide and Penzance actually topped the poll for Cornwall in a vote.

The website had a lot to say about Penzance food, art and architecture. It was also gushing about shopping in the town – Causewayhead, Chapel Street and Market Jew Street all got the big green tick for the vibrant independent retail scene.

As Penzance reviews go, it’s an absolute beaut.

‘Best place in the South West’ – The Sunday Times

Gaw, this is getting embarrassing. 🫢

In 2023, The Sunday Times, no less, published its Best Places to Live in the South West.

Penzance was the ONLY destination in Cornwall showcased. The prestigious list mentioned many of the features others have raved about, but honed in on the town’s ‘wild spirit’ and ‘down-to-earth locals’.

Yes and YES!

We’ve talked again and again about the difference between Penzance and other popular Cornish spots. We are where people who want to see a bit of beautiful, REAL Cornwall come on holiday.

Thanks for bigging us up, Sunday Times. 👍

‘Top tourist attractions galore’ – TripAdvisor

Cornwall is filled like a plump pasty with memorable places to visit. So there’s some pretty stiff competition in TripAdvisor’s Top Attractions in Cornwall list. But guess what? TWO places just a pebble’s throw from Penzance appear in Cornwall’s top five. And one tops the list as the best Cornwall attraction of all.

The Minack Theatre, just nine miles from its nearest major town, Penzance, heads the list. Meanwhile, iconic St Michael’s Mount, a Penzance landmark in its own right, comes in at number four.

In other words, according to TripAdvisor, we’re front and centre for Cornwall’s finest tourist attractions.

‘Best place to explore Cornwall’s top attractions’ – goatsontheroad.com

Love the name of this website. Love what they’re saying about PZ even more.

When goatsontheroad.com asked the question ‘Where should you stay in Cornwall?’ it topped its list with… you guessed it… Penzance.

It says, ‘Charming Penzance is the best town to stay in Cornwall for first-time visitors as it has everything from top surfing beaches to some excellent restaurants, museums, coastal walks, and entertainment options.’

And, ‘Penzance is ideally situated for exploring some of Cornwall’s top attractions such as the Minack Theatre, St. Michael’s Mount, Land’s End, and much more.’

Enough! We’re so flushed with pride at these Penzance reviews we’re overheating.

Find out more about where to stay and what to do in the most celebrated town in Cornwall at www.lovepenzance.com.