St Ives might be known for its painters and galleries, but Penzance also has a thriving contemporary art scene. You’ll be amazed at how many galleries and creative spaces there are to explore – from the famous names hanging on the walls of Cornwall Contemporary to the thought-provoking at Newlyn Art Gallery.
Visiting in the off-season is the perfect opportunity to avoid the crowds and give yourself time to soak it all in.
You can mix and match from the suggested activities to create a great day out during your stay. If you were to do all the activities on this itinerary, the estimated duration is given above.
Please note: You will need to contact the venue or experience provider directly to book.
Click on each individual experience and find out more about its accessibility and public transport connections, along with an eco tip.
If you would like to build your own itinerary, head to the Experience page. You can add your favourite experiences to a bespoke itinerary, which can be downloaded or sent to your email address. Please note: This is for inspiration purposes only and does not create a booking. You will need to contact the venue or provider directly to book.
See Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens as it bursts back into life after winter. There are installations from renowned artists around every corner – from intriguing metal sculptures to the fascinating camera obscura. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a mindful moment, experience the changing seasons and enjoy the details of nature.
New for 2023: Discover the brightly coloured figurative sculptures by Lisa Wright.
Newlyn Art Gallery showcases the diverse talent of local artists with several exhibitions and workshops throughout the year. Make sure you visit The Picture Room, where you’ll find affordable prints and drawings by local artists. Please check what’s on via their website. Top tip: Your ticket also covers entry to The Exchange exhibition space in Penzance.
Searching for a piece of art to remind you of your brilliant break? Cornwall Contemporary is a spacious and modern art gallery on Chapel Street in Penzance. Inside, you’ll find paintings by local artists displayed alongside nationally recognised names – for example, they recently showcased the paintings of Jim Moir (AKA Vic Reeves). You can even enjoy an advance preview of the gallery using their virtual tour.
If you’ve ever visited Mount’s Bay, home of St Michael’s Mount, it might surprise you to learn that beneath the waves lies the remains of an ancient forest. To bring this secret landscape to life, local artist Emma Smith has created a site-specific artwork, ‘Gwelen’. To find her wooden ‘seeing sticks’, join the section of the South West Coast Path that connects Marazion and Penzance. This unique installation is accompanied by a podcast, which will introduce you to Emma Smith and her work.
In June 2022, Penzance Art Festival launched a new trail to inspire you to walk through Penzance town centre and discover the galleries, bookshops and other creative experiences on offer. Encompassing Penlee House, PZ gallery, Tremenheere Gallery and over thirty other artistic destinations, it’s a brilliant way to immerse yourself in culture. The map is available for you to use here.
Join Sea Moor Cornwall for a private Gyotaku workshop at artist Stevie’s home in Penzance. Gyotaku is a traditional Japanese method of fish printing developed by fishermen in the 1800s to record and honour the catch. Stevie uses fish and shellfish sourced sustainably from the shores of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly – and nothing goes to waste. At the end of the workshop, Stevie will clean, cook and present the fish beautifully for you to enjoy with a glass of fizz (or two!). This extraordinary workshop is suitable for 2-4 people ideally, 6 max, and no previous experience is required. Find out more at seamoorcornwall.co.uk
If you’re keen to get out there and explore by bike, let Penzance Bike Hire bring your wheels to you. With electric bikes, mountain bikes, tandems and guided tours available, you can create a day out that suits you and your family. Find out more and book your bike here.
Explore the historic harbours that surround Penzance. The MOUS bus route takes you from Penzance station to Newlyn and Mousehole. You could spend the morning discovering Newlyn’s art galleries before heading to Mousehole and hopping off the bus for lunch at the Old Coastguard. See this timetable and more here.
The Cornish Barn is the smokehouse, restaurant and bar of the Artist Residence, a stylish boutique hotel in Penzance. Head to Chapel Street to join them for a hearty brunch, evening feast or an extraordinary cocktail surrounded by statement art. If the weather is fine, take a peek at their garden area too. Find out more here.
Retreat to a cosy self-catering cottage or book a stylish hotel in the heart of town. Discover the perfect seaside stay for your winter in Cornwall.
Visit out of season and step into an adventure. Explore our entire collection of inspiring itineraries and plan a great day out.
Many of the activities in our itineraries are accessible. Click on each individual experience to find out more about its accessibility. We advise that you contact the venue or experience provider in advance to confirm. You can also find information about accessible venues through Access Cornwall.
Enjoy updates from local experts and find information about upcoming events.
Discover the many ways you can get out there and explore without relying on your car.
We’re hoping to make every stay as sustainable as possible. Find out more here.
This listing has been curated by the EXPERIENCE West Cornwall team and was correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. We advise that you contact the venue or provider directly to confirm any seasonal opening details and to book the experience.
