Forget London! This Coastal Town Offers Smaller Crowds & Medieval Charm

London is a bucket record vacation spot for tens of millions of Americans, and pay attention, we completely get it: who does not wish to threat a cheeky selfie with a pink phone field, stroll alongside the Thames riverfront, or witness the change of the Royal Guard with Buckingham Palace for a backdrop?

The unhappy actuality is, there are two variations of London, one which exists within the minds of vacationers, and the truth on the bottom.

Yes, it’s a fascinating metropolis packed filled with iconic sights, however on the draw back, it is chaotic, fast-paced, more and more harmful, and as a rule, you not often really feel as should you’re really in England.

We imply, good luck listening to some good previous cockney round, and even English in any respect in elements of North London. Now, should you’re craving a few of that unspoiled English attraction, there’s this attractive coastal city, some 5 hours away by practice, yet to be spoiled by the masses:

Welcome To Penzance, England’s Best Kept Secret

Located near the southwestern-most tip of England, within the Celtic-influenced Cornwall, Penzance is a small port city with round 21,000 residents that solely English (or ought to we are saying Cornish?) locals appear to find out about.

While St. Ives has grown in reputation in recent times, the equally fairly Penzance continues to be ignored, regardless of its simple cultural provide and coastal views.

For starters, it sits on Mount’s Bay, overlooking St Michael’s Mount, a medieval fortress perched on a tidal island (yep, very similar to the French St. Michael’s Mount, besides it’s miles much less touristy).

Then there’s the truth that Penzance is the quintessential English harbor city, with a storybook cowl of an Old Town, peppered with Georgian semi-detached homes, elegant Regency-era buildings, and boasting a scenic promenade.

A Peaceful Fall Getaway

Penzance will not be almost as well-known as different coastal gems in England, like Brighton, Blackpool, or Bournemouth, however it is definitely bought quite a bit going for it.

In summer time, it turns into certainly one of Cornwall’s liveliest seaside getaways, with Cornish households flocking to its shingle-covered Promenade Beach, or the close by Wherrytown Beach, a stretch of sandy, mild slopes wedged between Penzance city itself and neighboring Newlyn.

In the autumn, it continues to take pleasure in a temperate local weather, with thermometers hitting as excessive as 67°F, and dipping to nighttime lows of round 54–57°F in September.

It’s not precisely the Mediterranean, but it surely’s as heat because it will get in England within the low season. It’s a surprise that subtropical vegetation thrive right here, notably on the Morrab Gardens, a Victorian verdant escape traversed with winding pathways by means of landscaped plantings.

Medieval Charm Without The Crowds

Mild fall climate apart, Penzance has bought its justifiable share of medieval aptitude. While the city itself is not as previous as St. Ives or Truro, having solely grown considerably within the sixteenth century, it is positioned inside quick driving distance of a few of Cornwall’s oldest websites.

These embrace the aforementioned St. Michael’s Mount, clearly seen from Penzance’s waterfront, and roughly quarter-hour driving, the much-overlooked St. Maddern’s Church, which has Norman origins and an historic properly locals deem holy, and the previous village of Gulval:

Historically its personal parish, Gulval has formally been absorbed into Penzance, although it nonetheless seems like a separate village, in a method: image quaint, stone-built townhouses, slender lanes, and an idyllic medieval church.

If you are into historic ruins, then you can also’t miss out on Chysauster Ancient Village, an Iron Age archaeological web site round a 30-minute drive up the coastal B3306.

Unspoiled English Charm

Atlantic views and medieval attract apart, Penzance’s biggest draw is its traditionalism. Whether you are professional or in opposition to London’s multiculturalism, we will all agree it isn’t precisely consultant of deep, unmistakably English England.

Though there’s the odd Chinese or kebab, the native chippy stays the popular takeout spot, and belief us once we say Penzance’s family-owned Fraser’s serves a killer fish and chips.

Freshly-caught fish, enveloped in that crispy batter we love, and melt-in-your-mouth-soft on the within, coupled with locally-farmed potatoes, and just for round $13.45.

If you like pub fare, you may be thrilled to know there are a few well-loved public homes serving Cornish pies and scrumptious beer proper on the harbor: we’re pondering The Ship Inn, overlooking the fishing boats and with a energetic really feel, and the nautical-themed The Admiral Benbow.

Penzance is famously featured in Gilbert & Sullivan’s Pirates of Penzance opera, and maintaining with the piracy custom, the Admiral has its personal ‘pirate’ fish pie, consisting of smoked haddock and hard-boiled egg, and topped with mashed potatoes and cheese sauce on the facet.

Penzance Is Safer Than London

Last however definitely not least, the principle purpose for the nice exodus of Brits escaping London in recent times is the rising crime.

From knifing to pickpocketing to house burglaries, the English capital is more and more resembling Global South metropolises. Penzance, then again, is quite a bit safer compared, as is a majority of Cornish cities.

As of May 2025, the general crime price in London is 76 per 100,000 residents, as seen on CrimeRate UK, whereas in Cornwall, the general determine is 50 per 100,000. That’s decrease than the nationwide common of 70.

In different phrases, it isn’t essentially crime-free, however let’s simply say you are method much less more likely to get mugged by a masked biker strolling Penzance’s usually-peaceful promenade than purchasing up Oxford Street.

From London Paddington To Penzance

Wondering the way to get to Penzance this fall? Easy! Hop on a direct train at London Paddington:

Penzance lies alongside the Great Western Railway route (GWR), and the journey there from the capital takes round 5 hours. It travels principally alongside the coast, and because the practice heads west, you are graced with epic views of the Atlantic and different sleepy English cities.

Off-peak, advance tickets begin from as low-cost as $58 one-way, and they are often booked instantly at GWR’s website.