ToursGaGa

About Penzance beaches, Cornwall

Not only families, but surfers, artists, environmentalists, and foodies all feel the pull of the Cornish coast. Penzance is a great choice as a base: a less commercial town than others along the coast, it offers a mix of faded, elegant architecture and spine-tingling views, along with a stately promenade. Perched above Mounts Bay, it's ideal for exploring the dramatic coastline of southwest Cornwall, with its hidden coves and awesome cliffs.

Beach:

Mount's Bay, Penzance's town beach, is a beautiful sweep of coast and is overlooked by the remarkable offshore edifice of St Michael's Mount. But, for one of the country's finest beaches, take a trip 40km (25 miles) southeast, to Kynance Cove, with its brilliantly luminescent sea and pearly white sands. Previously difficult to access, the National Trust has built a road and car park to ease the way.

Beyond the beach:

A couple of miles east of Penzance, just off the coast, lies one of Cornwall's most iconic sights, the island abbey of St Michael's Mount (www.stmichaelsmount.co.uk), a startling piece of coastal architectural drama.

Family fun:

Penzance feels more like a real town than Padstow or St Ives, which is part of its charm. From here you can explore some of Cornwall's wildest scenery. Remote and lashed by the sea, it's the perfect base for discovering Land's End. Besides the astounding beaches and coastline, you can go for a swim in town, at the wonderfully refurbished 1930s lido, Jubilee Pool (www.jubileepool.co.uk).