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

London is a bucket record vacation spot for hundreds of thousands of Individuals, and hear, we completely get it: who would not need to danger a cheeky selfie with a crimson 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 fact on the bottom.

Sure, 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 most of the time, you hardly ever really feel as when you’re really in England.

We imply, good luck listening to some good outdated cockney round, and even English in any respect in elements of North London.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

Welcome To Penzance, England’s Finest Saved Secret

Positioned 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 learn about.

Whereas St. Ives has grown in reputation lately, the equally fairly Penzance continues to be missed, regardless of its plain 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 is much less touristy).

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

A Peaceable Fall Getaway

Penzance is probably not practically as well-known as different coastal gems in England, like Brighton, Blackpool, or Bournemouth, however it is definitely obtained so much going for it.

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

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

Medieval Allure With out The Crowds

Delicate fall climate apart, Penzance has obtained its justifiable share of medieval aptitude. Whereas the city itself is not as outdated as St. Ives or Truro, having solely grown considerably within the sixteenth century, it is situated inside brief 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 historical effectively locals deem holy, and the previous village of Gulval:

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

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

Unspoiled English Allure

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

Although there’s the odd Chinese language 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.

Should you love pub fare, you will 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 vigorous 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 aspect.

Penzance Is Safer Than London

Final however definitely not least, the principle purpose for the good exodus of Brits escaping London lately is the rising crime.

From knifing to pickpocketing to residence burglaries, the English capital is more and more resembling International South metropolises. Penzance, alternatively, is so much safer compared, as is a majority of Cornish cities.

As of Could 2025, the general crime fee 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 is decrease than the nationwide common of 70.

In different phrases, it is not essentially crime-free, however let’s simply say you are means much less prone to get mugged by a masked biker strolling Penzance’s usually-peaceful promenade than buying up Oxford Avenue.

From London Paddington To Penzance

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

Penzance lies alongside the Nice Western Railway route (GWR), and the journey there from the capital takes round 5 hours. It travels largely alongside the coast, and because the prepare 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.

Vinicius Costa

Vini, our senior lead author at Journey Off Path, has over 60+ nations below his belt (and presently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative tales that can have you ever packing your luggage.