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The
Pendennis |
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Guest
House |
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Surroundings |
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St Michael's Mount
St Michael's Mount is located some 3 miles east of Penzance and is one
of the treasures of Cornwall. Set on an island a few hundred yards
off-shore from the ancient town of Marazion and in the heart of Mounts
Bay, the castle - now owned by the National Trust - has for centuries
been the home of the St Aubyn family. |
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Originally, the building was a Benedictine Priory which had
religious links with the equally famous Mont St Michel in Normandy,
France. The island served as a major port in earlier times and is
thought to be the island of "Ictis" which was the centre for the
export of Cornish tin and copper to the Greeks and Romans in
pre-historic times. Today, the Island and Castle are open to the
public every weekday and most weekends during the summer and on a
limited basis during the winter. While access to the island is easy at
low tide when the granite causeway is opened for pedestrian crossings,
there are ferry boat services running at high tide during the summer.
Marazion is the oldest chartered town in Cornwall having been granted
this status by King Henry III in 1257. The town is named in the
Cornish language for its historic Market (now discontinued) - "Marghas
Byghan", meaning Small Market - which became corrupted in
pronunciation into "Marazion" while, despite appearances in the name,
there is no historic connection with Judaism. Today, it is a peaceful
small town facing onto one of the most beautiful wide stretches of
safe sandy beach in the West Cornwall. There are several quaint narrow
streets and interesting shops in the town, but glimpses of the sea
around every corner remind the visitor of the town's dramatic
neighbour - the island of St Michael's Mount. For those interested in
sailing, Marazion is the home of the Mounts Bay Sailing Club, whose
boats add colour to the water scene every weekend during the summer.
In addition, there are often major National championship races which
bring many hundreds of small craft to the town beach for week-long
competitions - frequently of a very high international standard.
Between Penzance and Marazion lies the Marazion Marsh - an area of
water and reed-beds which is a magnet for wild birds, particularly
during the Autumn (Fall) migratory period. It is a very popular
location with the many BirdWatchers who visit West Cornwall at these
times of the year.
Access to Marazion is by road along the shore heading east from
Penzance and there are several car parks on the shore immediately
above the beach. There are regular bus services every day (including
Sundays) between Penzance and Marazion |
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Mousehole
Is located just three miles westward
around Mounts Bay from Penzance and is one of the most beautiful
coastal villages in Britain. Happily, it has remained largely
unspoiled by the developments of the 20th Century and it continues to
present the image of the classic Cornish fishing village of bygone
days. |
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The village, whose name is pronounced "Mowzel", is centred around
a nearly circular harbour protected from the force of the sea coming
across Mounts Bay by two sturdy breakwaters. Today there still remain
some fishing boats based in the harbour while these are augmented by
pleasure craft to make the vista of the harbour peaceful and idyllic.
It was in Mousehole that lived Dolly Pentreath, reputedly the last
person who spoke the Cornish language as her natural tongue, which
died with her some 200 years ago. A memorial to her is to be found in
the churchyard at Paul, a small village just above Mousehole.
In
recent years, this ancient Celtic language has undergone an
enthusiastic revival.
In winter, the harbour entrance is closed by sturdy wooden beams to
keep the force of the sea at bay and to protect the village. In past
times, the villagers have suffered the effects of winter storms on
their harbour and one of these events is commemorated annually shortly
before Christmas on "Tom Bawcock's Eve" where a monstrous fish pie is
baked and consumed by the patrons of the Inn on the quayside. This
event, which becomes a major village party, attracts visitors from
both the surrounding district and from all over the world.
Just offshore outside the harbour is St Clement's Isle - a small rocky
islet where once an ancient hermit was said to live. A few hundred
yards along the coast from the village lies a huge cave which - so
some people say - gives rise to the name of the village (Mouse Hole!).
While this is unlikely, the origin of the name continues to be a topic
of much curiosity. A small and very safe beach is located in a
sheltered part of the harbour which is popular with families,
particularly those with small children. Beyond Mousehole, the road
from Penzance heads off inland, while the Coastal Footpath continues
on towards the narrow cove of Lamorna, thence to Penberth and
Porthcurno.
While there is road access to Mousehole via Newlyn, car parking in the
village is extremely limited and the roads are very narrow.
Consequently, visitors are encouraged to park on the outskirts of the
village and to walk in. There is a regular bus service from Penzance
into the village - to the astonishment of many visitors in view of
narrowness of the road entrance to the village.
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Penzance
The ancient town of
Penzance is the ‘Capital’ of the far West of Cornwall and is the last
major town before the Atlantic Ocean. It is easily reached by either
rail or road, with the A30 and A38 roads giving access from all parts
of England, mainly by Motorway or dual-carriageway. |
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photo © Bocaina Business Services, Penzance |
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It is both a
market town and a popular tourist destination, and features an
attractive promenade on its sea front. There are several historic
houses in the town, along with a number of museums and galleries. It
includes the most westerly major harbour on the English Channel. From
here, there are ferry services both by sea and air to the Isles of
Scilly, which lie some 28 miles beyond Lands End.
Penzance is the natural
touring centre for the Lands End peninsula, historically known as
Penwith. The peninsula is an area of outstanding natural beauty,
containing some of the finest coastal scenery in the country. The
cliffs and beaches, accessible both by road and from the Cornish
Coastal Footpath, are truly spectacular. The beaches and the sea
around Penzance are amongst the cleanest and safest in the country -
both for beach activities and for water-sports.
Having been populated since
pre-historic times, the area contains numerous 'standing stones' and
'stone circles' (e.g. the Merry Maidens) as well as iron-age village
sites which remain as memorials to that era. The National Trust has
several properties in the surrounding area which have made their own
contribution to the heritage of which the area is so proud. Local
places of interest include St Michael’s Mount, the famous landmark of
Lands End, the artist's town of St Ives, the unspoiled village of
Mousehole, and the famed Minack Theatre. Access to all these
locations, and many others, is easy whether by public transport or by
car. |
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