Penzance "Pirates of -".

The very name itself conjures up visions of legends: smuggling and piracy. Gilbert and Sullivan. Daphne Du Maurier. Penzance!

From the Cornish language "Pens Sans" meaning "Holy Headland", it refers to land on the western side of the harbour on which a chapel was established over 1,000 years ago. Today the site is occupied by St Mary's Church.

Penzance's seafront promenade, the only one in Cornwall, stretches from the harbour to the fishing port of Newlyn, a distance approximately one mile. Overlooked by the Beachfield Hotel it is ideally placed for a morning or evening stroll.

The picturesque tidal harbour is a hive of activity, filled most of the time with yachts and pleasure craft, and home to the Penzance Sailing Club. From here the Isle of Scilly ferry, the Scillonian 111 provides a regular service to the Islands during the summer months. Nearby is located the National Lighthouse Museum.

Set within walking distance of the harbour and the hotel, is the market town, the focal point of commercial activity for the whole Lands End Peninsula. Here you will find most of the familiar High street shops and banks.

As well as a number of historic sites, pay a visit to Market Jew Street, its name being a derivation of the Cornish "Marghas Yow", which means "Thursday Market" and look out for the commemorative statue of Sir Humphrey Davy, inventor of the miner's safety lamp which bears his name still today. Nearby, Chapel Street too contains many interesting houses including the curious Egyptian House. Continue to meander round Penzance's intriguing back streets to discover its "smugglers" pubs.

Blessed with a temperate climate Penzance is famed for its flowers which can be seen at their best in the Morrab Gardens. Set tranquilly amidst an area of Regency and Georgian terraces, it is only minutes from the town centre. Also in this area you will come across the Penzance Museum and Art Gallery which houses one of the largest collections of paintings by the famed Newlyn School of Artists.

You will discover that Penzance has a great deal to offer the visitor whether you are here on business or for pleasure, as has indeed the Beachfield Hotel.

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