Penzance, England

Penzance Article for senior couples and mature solo travellers seeking to explore Devon and Cornwall. Explore our range of Educational small group tours.

12 Mar 20 · 4 mins read

Penzance, England

Penzance is a seaside town and popular holiday destination for anyone hoping for access to the sea, attractive walks, and quaint fishing villages steeped in myth and history. The town is accessible by railway, as the final stop on the Western train service from London, and is the most Westerly major town on the English mainland, in the South West of the country. From it, the St. Mary’s Ferry provides access to the stunning Isles of Scilly nearby. A clear day on a coastal walk might also yield views of the area’s other isles too, such as St. Michael’s Mount, a small island accessible by foot at low tide, or at high tide by boat, which is home to a medieval church and castle as well as many photo opportunities at the so-called Giant’s Well.

Odyssey Traveller spends a number of nights in Penzance as part of our tour of Devon and Cornwall. Beginning in the city of Bristol, our tour delves into the history and mythology of this most Celtic of English regions, visiting Tintagel Castle on the north Cornish coast, held in the legends of King Arthur to be the birthplace of the mythical king, and the famous Glastonbury Tor, associated with Celtic mythology.

We also use Penzance as a departure point for a trip to the Isles of Scilly, the southern and westernmost point in England, and the home of the fascinating subtropical Tresco Abbey Gardens.

Odyssey Traveller has been serving world travellers since 1983. Every Odyssey group tour is designed by an expert travel director, and led by local guides chosen for their in-depth knowledge, so that you have a truly educational and informed experience of your chosen destination. We travel in small groups, ranging from 6 to 12, giving you the chance to find like-minded people in the other guests.

Our tour price includes accommodation, travel in a comfortable modern bus, attractions, and a number of meals. For more information, click here.

St. Michael's Mount at sunset
St Michael’s Mount, Penzance

About Penzance:

Penzance is a popular holiday destination much loved by native and foreign holiday makers alike, for its wealth of nearby seaside villages, access to the coast and beautiful landscape, which includes sea views and walks along cliffs. The larger parish of Penzance includes sites such as Mousehole, a charming fishing village, from which you can look out across the sea to the magical St. Clements Isle, famed for its mythic hermit inhabitant. Mousehole also boasts a sheltered beach, the perfect location for families.

The area is rich in legend and history, and Mousehole in particular has been central to this. In 1595, the village was burned by a fleet of Spanish ships. The area was decimated except for a local inn, the Keigwin Arms. The attack was thought to have been prophesied by the wizard Merlin, legendary teacher of King Arthur, and near the quay, still visible, stands Merlin’s Rock. There is an old saying; ‘There shall land on the Rock of Merlin Those who shall burn Paul, Penzance and Newlyn.’

Another of Merlin’s prophesies, regarding the headland at Rame, remains unfulfilled. It was said that ‘…when the Rame Head and Dodman meet, Man and woman will have cause to greet (cry).’ Dodman remains 40 miles from Rame Head. Nevertheless Penzance boasts other popular myths, including tales of pirates (such as in the popular Pirates of Penzance). The earliest signs of settlement in Penzance are Bronze Age so it’s possible that the oral history of the area spans the Roman, Saxon and Celtic eras.

Mousehole, Penzance, England
Mousehole, Penzance, England

The area’s acres of land offer not just coastal or walks along cliffs, and visitors can also enjoy an illuminating stroll through Chapel Street, Penzance’s main high street, which has a number of notable points of interest, including the Egyptian House, the Union Hotel (including a Georgian theatre which is no longer in use) and Branwell House, where the mother and aunt of the famous Brontë sisters once lived.

Penzance is also renowned in the contemporary art world; the Newlyn Art Gallery presents contemporary art work in all media by regional, national and international artists, as it has done for 120 years. For outdoor art lovers, nearby Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens offers an opportunity to experience thoughtful and evocative work by internationally renowned artists, all from dramatically landscaped gardens.

Articles published by Odyssey Traveller to assist you on your visit to Britain

The following list of articles published by Odyssey Traveller for mature aged and senior travellers to maximise their knowledge and enjoyment of Britain when visiting:

Click here to see our other articles of the British Isles.

External Articles to assist you on your visit to Britain

Related Tours

Exploring Wales on foot, mature travellers small group walking tours

13 days

Aug

Exploring Wales on foot : small group walking tours for seniors

Visiting Wales

A Walking tour of Wales with spectacular views across as you walk the millennial path across the Irish sea or up in Snowdonia national park. This guided tour that provides insight into the history of each castle visited and breathtaking scenery enjoyed before exploring the capital of Wales, Cardiff with day tours of Wales from Cardiff. For seniors, couples or Solo interested in small groups.

From A$9,450 AUD

View Tour
art tours for mature travellers

21 days

Sep

Belgium, Netherlands, France, Germany Art Tour | Western Europe Art Tour

Visiting Belgium, France

Most of us have already experienced the grandeur of classic galleries such as the Louvre and the National Gallery. Travel with like-minded people in a small group tour and be surprised by the lesser-known but equally wonderful smaller art galleries across Northwest Europe.

From A$14,450 AUD

View Tour
Pre-guaranteed
Guaranteed
Iceland church in Vik

17 days

May, Sep

Iceland cultural and wilderness small group tour

Visiting Iceland

Our escorted tour gives guests an insight into the history of this Icelandic nation. Travelling as a small group, our daily itineraries explore the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon and others, national parks and majestic waterfalls as we learn about Iceland’s natural heritage and its Viking past from experienced local guides. There is a single supplement for solo travellers.

From A$16,995 AUD

View Tour
Guaranteed
Pre-guaranteed
Portree, Isle of Skye, Scotland

20 days

May, Jul, Sep

Scottish Islands and Shetland small group tours for seniors

Visiting Scotland

An escorted small group tour for couples and solo travellers of the Scottish isles including the isle of Skye draws on local guides to share their knowledge of the destinations in this unique part of Scotland. UNESCO world heritage site are visited as breathtaking scenery and authentic experiences are shared in a group of like minded people on this guided tour of remote Scotland.

From A$14,450 AUD

View Tour
contemporary Japan places of interest

21 days

Oct

Contemporary Japan | Small Group Tour

Visiting Japan

This small group tour organised by Odyssey Traveller, Contemporary Japan, will take you through modern life in this East Asian jewel. This contemporary tour for couples and solo travellers is an expedition through Japan’s major urban areas, beginning and ending in Japan’s tantalising capital, Tokyo. For the first 12 days we get our fill of Tokyo fashion, technology, culture, and sights.

From A$16,995 AUD

View Tour
View from Castel Sant'Angelo, Rome, Italy

15 days

Dec

Discover Rome | Cultural and History Small Group Tour for Seniors

Visiting Italy

Rome is arguably the most fascinating city in Italy, the capital city, once the centre of a vast, ancient empire and still today a cultural focus within Europe. Explore the city in-depth as part of a small group program spending 14 days exploring, just Rome and Roman History.

From A$7,995 AUD

View Tour
Specialist Escorted Small Group cultural Tours exploring Japan

12 days

Sep, Mar

Japan Odyssey - Small Group Tours for Mature Travellers

Visiting Japan

During this small group program we encounter history from ancient periods; religions such as Buddhism and Shintoism; the philosophy of the people through visits to world renowned temples and shrines; and old towns full of ancient legends of Samurai and more in Japan. Together we, as mature and senior couples or solo travellers will share some traditions which the Japanese have inherited. A variety of sites including UNESCO World Heritage sites, has been chosen for this tour, all filled with clues such as Hanami or forest bathing to understand the essence of Japan including astro boy.

From A$13,995 AUD

View Tour
Myanmar places of interest

15 days

Mar, Oct

Discovering Myanmar | Small Group Tour for Seniors

Visiting Myanmar (Burma)

Visitors to Myanmar will find a fascinating country full of old-world charm and rich culture. A beautiful scenic destination, we visit Yangon, Mandalay and Bagan on this small group tour for senior and mature travellers on a small group tour for couple and solo travellers.

From A$9,350 AUD

View Tour

Related Articles

Tintagel

Highlights of Devon and Cornwall

Article for small group tour of mature and senior couples or single travellers interested in the key places of Devon and Cornwall such Tintagel, St Michaels Mount, Penzance, the Scilly isles and more.

16 Jul 21 · 28 mins read
Read Article
Tintagel, England

Tintagel, England

Tintagel, article explores the place in Cornwall that encourages the senior couple or mature solo traveller on a small group tour to follow the legend of King Arthur.

31 Mar 20 · 5 mins read
Read Article
Victorian Britain Country life

Victorian England Rural Life: The Definitive Guide for Travellers

Article about Rural life in Queen Victoria's reign. A period of significant historic change through people and the industrial revolution. For an educational small group tour with tours on Queen Victoria and also the Industrial revolution. for senior couples and mature solo travellers.

23 Sep 21 · 9 mins read
Read Article
St Michael's Mount

St Michael's Mount, England

The counterpart to Mont St Michel. On the Devon and Cornwall escorted small group tour for senior and maturer travellers the group learn about the abbey of St Michael's mount built in the middle ages complete with gargoyles and grotesques.

1 Apr 20 · 6 mins read
Read Article
Jane Austen and literary tours of England

Small Group Literary Tours of England for Seniors

Explore Britain's literary heritage on small group package holidays and tours for mature and senior travellers each year from Odyssey Traveller. Small group tours for couples and solo travellers with a passion for exploring and learning.

24 Sep 21 · 9 mins read
Read Article
Questions about England

Questions about England

Escorted small group tours for mature and senior travellers to England. Designed for couples and solo travellers who like to explore and enjoy learning as they travel to Devon and Cornwall, Manchester or Newcastle, or learn about English villages and the romanticism of the Lake district and beyond.

25 Feb 20 · 2 mins read
Read Article

Articles about England

Join 22,383 like-minded travellers receiving our weekly newsletter.

Special offers and promotions
A$350 AUD first trip travel voucher
The latest tours and articles