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Days out around Penzance
From coastal walks to castles, and swimming pools to sandy beaches, these days out around Penzance are the ultimate way to enjoy your stay in West Cornwall.
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With stunning views out to sea towards the iconic St Michael's Mount, this immaculately presented two bedroom apartment is centrally located above the harbour in this historic seaside town. Entered through its own front door via a communal roof garden, The Master's Retreat has a spacious open plan sitting room and kitchen with French doors leading out to a good sized private terrace; a perfect spot for enjoying the amazing views.
With a double and twin bedroom there is plenty of space for couples or families alike and with the convenience of private parking this is a great holiday home for exploring West Cornwall with Mousehole, Marazion and St Ives all close by. Penzance itself is steeped in history and offers many shops, galleries, pubs and restaurants which can be found wandering through its historic streets.
via communal courtyard to front door, hallway with doors to:.
double bed, view of communal roof courtyard.
twin beds, view of communal roof courtyard.
bath with shower over, WC, basin.
L-shaped sofa, two seater sofa, TV, dining table and four chairs, gas effect fire, open plan kitchen with electric oven and hob, fridge with ice box, dishwasher, washing machine, French doors out to private terrace.
front private terrace with table and four chairs, additionally the apartment is accessed from a large secure communal roof courtyard.
gas central heating, steep incline and steps up to the communal roof courtyard may mean it is not suitable for those with limited mobility, located above Wharfside Shopping Centre. Parking space dimensions: 2.5m x 4.7m, WiFi, short breaks available.
We had a fabulous week's holiday. I was a little concerned about the references to access issues, and there is a fairly steep slope, but if you can climb the stairs at home you will be fine! The flat is deceptively spacious, well-equipped, clean and comfortable. It's located midway between the harbour road and main shopping street (hence the slope) which makes for wonderful views of the harbour and across to St Michael's Mount. Sadly not sunny enough for us to use the balcony much but would be great in better weather! We travelled by train so used the fabulous bus and rail network to travel around (3 minutes from both stations).
Mrs Lumsden July 2024
We absolutely loved it so much that we booked it for next year already.
Mrs Squibb June 2024
Sitting in the corner of a sheltered and attractive bay, the UK’s most westerly town has been a popular resort since the Napoleonic wars when the wealthier English people were cut off from the continent and searched closer to home for fresh air and the newly discovered benefits of sea-bathing. The temperature in Penzance is always a little warmer than elsewhere meaning sub-tropical plants grow well in Morrab Gardens and in the gardens on St. Michael’s Mount. It also means balmy days on one of the nearby beaches are always calling.
Penzance is great for short breaks out of season and there are many boating trips from the harbour that will take you to explore the West Coast from the sea. Due to its excellent road and rail links, Penzance holidays offer something for everyone with lots to see and do. It’s also within a stone’s throw of some of the prettiest places to visit in Cornwall, which are always worth exploring during your stay.
Penzance has secret treats too if you take the time to explore. For a start, the very best way to see Penzance is by the alleys and walkways, the through-lanes from here to there. Take a day to discover the town this way and you will uncover its beautiful parks as well as its Regency and Georgian architecture.
Penzance also benefits from a wonderful community and comes alive throughout the year with different events and traditions that add waves of colour and music to the seaside town.
Penzance has one of the mildest climates in the UK!
From coastal walks to castles, and swimming pools to sandy beaches, these days out around Penzance are the ultimate way to enjoy your stay in West Cornwall.
With Mount’s Bay providing a beautiful alcove of beaches and the surrounding Penwith coast showing off exactly what west Cornwall has to offer, beach days in Penzance are always on the agenda.
Longrock Beach – Nestled halfway between Marazion and Penzance, this long stretch of sand is great for families. The water remains quite shallow, making it ideal for those who aren’t confident swimmers as well as windsurfers.
Marazion Beach – There are few views from the beach as impressive as Marazion where your beach day benefits from the impressive St Michael’s Mount standing guard over the bay. Stroll across the causeway at low tide, explore the rockpools or tuck into a fish and chips on the rocks.
Perranuthnoe Beach – With a beach café that serves delicious homemade cakes and ice creams, and a ramp for easy access, Peranuthnoe is popular with locals and visitors alike. The expanse of sand, which is second to none for sandcastles, means there’s plenty of room for everyone.
Stay in a self catering cottage in Penzance and you’re perfectly situated to explore the surrounding towns and villages, each with their own individual characters and charm. Literally minutes from Penzance is the fishing port of Newlyn while a little further on you’ll find the quaint village of Mousehole with its harbourside bistro, community atmosphere and famous Christmas lights. Take a stroll along the coast to Marazion beach or venture in the opposite direction to the beautiful Lamorna Cove. For more ideas, check out our blog post on days out around Penzance.
Jubilee Pool
This beautiful art-deco open-air bathing pool is the UK’s largest seawater lido. There is also an excellent café and a delightfully warm geothermal pool. The pool opens from the end of May until September. Even in winter, some hardy year-round swimmers use battery rocks (just north of Jubilee Pool) for their daily dip!
Parks and gardens
Morrab Garden is a sub-tropical garden in the heart of Penzance with Victorian fountains and a bandstand, which still plays host to concerts in the summer. The Morrab Library sits in the gardens and is an absolute joy with its wonderful photographic archives and collections. Full of trees and squirrels, Penlee Park has a specific dog-free and child-friendly play area making it ideal for families.
Art galleries
Penlee House Art Gallery & Museum (with an excellent café) sits opposite the Penlee open-air theatre and is home to a large collection of Newlyn School paintings as well as more contemporary works. Along the various streets and alleys lie many other superb galleries featuring a mix of local and national artists. Further afield, you have the renowned Newlyn Exchange and the wondrous Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens, which is home to many incredible sculptures throughout its grounds. Or, if you want to create your own art, why not embark on one of Penwith’s popular painting holidays to really make the most of Cornish scenery.
Shopping in Penzance
Not all town centres have the beautiful granite terrace and arcade steps, the iron railings; or retain the architecture of previous generations above the modern shop frontages that Penzance enjoys. There are many Georgian and early Victorian facades just above eye-level in Penzance giving a really unique backdrop to your shopping. By way of shops, you’ll find everything from boutiques to big names as well as delis and food shops that are jam-packed with tempting, locally sourced treats.
Walks
Penzance, with its recently resurfaced prom and surrounding coastline, is perfectly placed to enjoy some stunning Cornish walks. The further to the west you go, the more rugged and captivating the coastline – although be warned, in Penwith, the more beautiful the view, the steeper the trek to reach it! Our favourite stretch has to be between Mousehole all the way along to the Minack Theatre, which provides days upon days of incredible coastal walks. During your treks, make sure to keep an eye out for some of Cornwall’s ancient sites, which can be found scattered around the wild landscape.
Eating out
Penzance self-catering holidays are perfect; Chapel Street leads up from the harbour to the town centre where you will find a range of restaurants and pubs as well as independent shops and houses of historic interest and importance. Lavenders Deli on Alverton Street is ideal for stocking up on treats for your holiday cottage. Check out our blog on places to eat in Penzance for ideas on where to refuel.
Dog-friendly Penzance
With the sights and smells of the nearby beaches and plenty of dog-friendly pubs (Admiral Benbow is particularly popular with dogs and people alike), Penzance is a wonderful place for a dog-friendly holiday in Cornwall. There are also some great dog-friendly beaches nearby so you can enjoy a proper romp in the sand with your furry best friend.
Golowan Festival – Happening every year towards the end of June, Penzance’s Golowan Festival (also known as Mazey Day) is a bright and cheerful celebration of midsummer and promises an array of colour, music and festivities. Watch the parade of intricate puppets that dance through the streets, cheer on the Morris dancers and browse your way through the collection of stalls that sell everything from jewellery to mouth-watering foods.
Penzance Literary Festival - One for all the bookworms out there, the Penzance Literary Festival in July celebrates words in all forms from written to spoken to sung! Come along and catch the many performances, take part in literary discussions and even try your hand at creating your own stuff with the many workshops that take place.
Christmas in Penzance – With Christmas lights turning the whole stretch of coast between St Michael’s Mount and Mousehole into a glittering display, a jovial walk (or drive) is always a great way to get in the festive spirit. In town, you’ll find shop windows awash with intricate displays that tie in with a chosen theme as businesses from all over the town take part in an annual Christmas competition to dazzle shoppers. Santa never misses Penzance when doing the rounds, as you can always find him sitting happily in his grotto during the light switch on. Fairs, processions, and costumed antics take place throughout December, so you’re always in for a spectacle or two when you visit at Christmas.
Literally at the end of the line, Penzance is well-placed for holiday makers that prefer the train to a car. For those wanting to tour Mount’s Bay on foot (or on two wheels), there is a superb path that runs right the way along from Marazion to Mousehole, making excellent use of the promenade in Penzance. You can often find food vans along the prom, allowing for a quick refuel with a view during your jaunt. For those with a car, there are numerous car parks around the town as well as in the surrounding villages so you can enjoy Penwith by foot, car, bike or even boat!
We know how important honest reviews are when it comes to booking your holiday. To help you choose the right property for you, we publish all reviews left by guests who have stayed here in the past, with the few exceptions stated in our Review Guidelines. Please bear in mind that some facilities referred to by past guests in reviews can be removed or changed at any time.
We had a fabulous week's holiday. I was a little concerned about the references to access issues, and there is a fairly steep slope, but if you can climb the stairs at home you will be fine! The flat is deceptively spacious, well-equipped, clean and comfortable. It's located midway between the harbour road and main shopping street (hence the slope) which makes for wonderful views of the harbour and across to St Michael's Mount. Sadly not sunny enough for us to use the balcony much but would be great in better weather! We travelled by train so used the fabulous bus and rail network to travel around (3 minutes from both stations).
Mrs Lumsden Jul 2024
We absolutely loved it so much that we booked it for next year already.
Mrs Squibb Jun 2024
,I have stayed at the property before and like the area and will use again i property available to book on my next visit
Ms Hicks Apr 2024
A cosy apartment with nice decor. Loved the thick fluffy towels and quality white bed linen. Large terrace overlooking the harbour and Mounts Bay. All the rooms were a good size and the kitchen well equipped. Very close to the town and bus and rail stations. Penzance is a great town.
Ms Cann Mar 2024
A great stay at the masters retreat! Great location! Private parking space, (which is very tight) On secure site. This place really felt like home from home, a very enjoyable stay. Only thing I would criticise is the overall decor. This needs updating. Along with the outdoor balcony area, this needed updating/cleaning.
Mrs Champion Aug 2023
Reply from Aspects Holidays
Thank you for your feedback, it's great to hear you had a lovely stay at The Master's Retreat. The allocated parking space is a little tight, especially for larger cars, but we hope you agree that having a designated space is a huge positive! Thank you for letting us know your opinion on the décor and outside area, too. We aim to offer a wide range of properties that we hope will meet the different budgets, differing requirements, and individual tastes. We always try to ensure that the photos and descriptions are accurate, so we do hope that this was what you had expected. Your comments are automatically sent on to the property owners, so that they can consider any suggestions for future improvements. Katy, Customer Services.
This accomodation is very good in some ways but in other ways it is poor.
Mrs Semple Jun 2023
Reply from Aspects Holidays
Thank you for your feedback, we are sorry to hear that you felt the property had some areas needing attention - such as the private patio area. Your post-stay comments have automatically been passed across to the owner of The Master's Retreat to take into consideration, so thank you for taking the time to provide these and we hope we can welcome you back to Cornwall again soon. Katy, Customer Services.
Fabulous view of the harbour and St Michaels mount. Very secure location, central for the station, buses, shops and restaurants. Cosy, comfortable accommodation. Well equipped kitchen. The courtyard was perfect for catching the sun and the neighbours chatty and friendly.
The kitchen wasn’t as clean as I’d expect-chip and much dirt beside the cooker. The flat is a little tired but the view is so amazing it didn’t matter!
Ms Gazzard May 2023
Reply from Aspects Holidays
It's lovely to hear that you had a great time at The Master's Retreat. Those views are certainly special, aren't they?! We are very sorry if the standard of cleanliness was not to the usual high level that you would have expected from the properties that we market; we can only apologise if any areas had been missed. Had we heard from you at the time of your stay we would have been more than happy to send over a housekeeper to rectify any areas of concern, to get your holiday back on track. We hope we can welcome you back to Cornwall soon. Katy, Customer Services.
Cosy, comfortable accommodation with fabulous views. Walking distance to shops, bus and train station.
Ms Day Jan 2023
Been in the Master's Retreat several times over the last decade. As always it has been fantastic. Felt like home (again). Ideal place to stay when you depend on public transport as everything important is within short walking distance (train & bus station, shopping, etc.). Flat is in a very good condition and Aspects Holidays makes the whole holiday experiance hassle free and pleasant. Personal, friendly and professional. 100% recommendation.
Mr Roggenbuck-van der Heyde Dec 2022
Great holiday apartment in an amazing location - it's our third time in the Master's Retreat! Would definitely recommend it.
Mrs Farrington Sep 2022
We loved our stay, close to everything we needed. And plenty of near by places to explore.
Very quiet place and had a relaxing stay. Comfy bed and nice soft bath towels. Kitchen was well equipped.
Beautiful views every morning and evening.
Parking a bit tight but otherwise fine.
Miss Kozakiewicz Aug 2022
Masters Retreat is perfect. Great location, very clean very comfy. Towels / bedding pristine. Slept well in comfy bed. Lovely neighbours. The steps to the flat were not a problem at all. The area is well cared for by management. The views are lovely especially in the mornings. Would recommend and hope to return.
Mrs Hughes May 2022
Lovely location, close to the town, train and bus stations. The Property is lovely and clean the little welcome pack is a lovely thoughtful idea after a long journey. Amazing views of st Michael's mount, overall a really lovely place to stay would definitely stay again.
Miss Roseman May 2022
We feel like we’ve found a gem. It felt like home from home so quickly. Everything was satisfactory and relaxing. So near the town and so lovely to be able to stand on the balcony and watch the activities of the harbour. Would highly recommend this apartment.
Mrs McCoy Apr 2022
Perfect location for travelling around and the view of the harbour and large balcony is amazing. The TV is very small and would recommend replacing after busy days out to relax and the paintwork could do with a refresh. Very well equipped apartment and had everything you needed and the parking space was great to have. Would definitely return.
Mrs Kirk Aug 2021
It was a lovely apartment and perfect for my family of 4. Very accessible to the high street and plenty of restaurants nearby. We enjoyed having alfresco brunch by the balcony & beautiful sitting areas by the property’s courtyard. We have a lovely view of the harbour and St Michael’s Mount. Beds were comfy and facilities were good. Maybe a bigger television as Euro 2020 was on during our stay! :-)
Mrs Gapuz Jul 2021
This is an excellent location spoilt by tired decor. I’ll fitting curtains and indifferent attention to those creature comforts that make for a great holiday. i.e. good internet but no usb sockets and minuscule TV
Mr Hill Jun 2021
Beautiful apartment, nicely decorated, spotlessly clean, well equipped and in a security gated community with really friendly neighbours. A view from the really large balcony that probably can't be beaten in all of Penzance, and your own private parking space, what more could you want? We liked it so much that we've already booked a fortnight for next year!
Mr Bellis Jun 2021
Lovely convenient apartment with fantastic views over the bay.
Mrs Boggon May 2021
The masters retreat is the ideal place to stay in Penzance, perfect location,very comfortable,and the best view ever , if your thinking about it book it before it goes you won’t regret it.
Mr Sturgeon Apr 2021
Stayed for a week during October half term. A lovely, well-equipped property in a central location with lovely sea views and large balcony. An excellent base for exploring the area.
Mrs Dixon-Higgins Nov 2020
A very well-equipped comfortable apartment in a fantastic location with views across the harbour.
Mrs Fuller Oct 2020
What a well equipped apartment, many thoughtful touches, like some bin bags, a small bottle of washing up, the cream tea on arrival was great. The beds were comfortable and linens top class. A very enjoyable stay with a lovely view right on the harbour
Miss Downs Sep 2020
This was our 2nd year at the Master's retreat and we had a lovely week there. The location is perfect, right by the harbour and also close to the high street.The kitchen is very well equipped with lots of space for storing food. The property is within a residential complex and all the neighbours were very welcoming. We would definitely recommend this property!
Mrs Farrington Aug 2020
Great location and very enjoyable stay. The accommodation was everything we had hope for. Nice touch to have cream tea on arrival. The views and balcony were superb.
Mrs Randall Aug 2020
Excellent meals at mackerel sky , or any of the restaurants in chapel streel & sennen beach fantastic
Mr Baggaley Aug 2020
We both had a wonderful week at the masters retreat the views from the apartment are spectacular, it was very clean comfortable and well equipped there was even a couple of pairs of binoculars so we could get a close up view of the harbour and st Michael’s mount! We would definitely recommend this lovely place and we will most definitely be making a return visit
Ms Deans Jul 2020
Well furnished and nice welcoming touch with fresh scones jam and cream. Nicely situated within easy reach of all amenities and car parking is good. The views over the harbour and St Michaels mount were great.
Mr Russell Jan 2020
It's a perfect holiday retreat we were very impressed with quality of the furnishings, and spacious apartment, and sundries provided. and lovely welcome pack of tea, coffee scones ,jam and cream such a nice welcoming touch and such a convenience for everything. it all gave an impression of a caring, cut above service. The views were stunning, and I was glued to the comings and goings of the harbour and St Michaels mount.
The allocated parking space. was marvellous ,we did n't give our car a second thought. both for security and parking on return., although we did n't need to use the car much the bus station and train station are fives minutes walk., the peace and tranquillity in spite of being in the middle of town, and the overall look and impression on entering the complex it was lovely and special, our best holiday yet.
Ms Clark Sep 2019
We had an excellent week staying at the Master's retreat. Amazing location and balcony with the sunrise over St. Michael's Mount was stunning. Very comfortable rooms and more spacious than we were expecting. Lots of lovely restaurants within walking distance (would recommend the Boat Shed) and we all really enjoyed the boat trip we did with Mermaid boat trips. Would definitely recommend.
Mrs Farrington Sep 2019
Wonderful location with fantastic views over the harbour and st Michaels in the distance. Although there are steps to the court yard they are not too challenging.the property is light and decor of a good standard and is all on one level. The kitchen is well equipped .The terrace is a very nice addition with plenty of seating and there are two pairs of binoculars to view some striking scenes. The double bed is extremely comfortable with adequate storage in the room there are two singles in the second room. All in all masters retreat is a very comfortable and fantastically located accommodation train and bus links just a few minutes walk.and walks to the mount,newlyn and Mousehole comfortable distances
Mr Blount Aug 2019
Very adequate accommodation for two people in a very central location with wonderful views of Mount’s Bay. Very near to bus station and railway so no need to use a car too much and shops and all other amenities nearby.
Mr Ralston Jul 2019
We had a lovely holiday at Master's Retreat. The accommodation was exactly as it was described, well equip, beautiful views over the harbour. It is centrally located for local amenities and having parking was great.
Mrs Greenwood Jun 2019
The Masters Retreat is in a perfect location for a stay in Penzance. Its nicely furnished and is warm and cosy inside. It has everything you need for a great stay.
Mrs Allen May 2019
Stayed there for the 2nd time in 3 years, very well equipped and maintained, fantastic location with shops, train and bus station within 2 minutes, great views, nothing much to complain about ;-)
Mr Roggenbuck-van der Heyde Apr 2019
After a second stay we certainly will be staying again! Superb location, couldn't fault the service provided by the team at Apects.
Miss Orchard Nov 2018
Master's Retreat is a comfortable flat with a beautiful view of Mount's Bay, St Michael's Mount and the harbour. The location is excellent, right in the centre of Penzance with easy access to shops and restaurants and transport links. It is also vey quiet, and has a dedicated parking space - all of which makes for an excellent relaxed holiday - and if the weather is warm there's a large balcony from which to enjoy the view.
Mrs Stewart Sep 2018
Overall a nice property in a very secure location with a great view, although you have to sit on top of the bench to enjoy it if you don't want to stand. I was happy to do this to enjoy it in the evening. Would have liked to have seen some basic everyday cleaning products for guests to use as I believe people would be happy not to have to go out and buy these.
Mrs Boulton Aug 2018
Great accommodation and location - ideally placed for both the town and coastal walks.
Miss Clarke Jun 2018
Lovely decor and furnishings, very comfortable and relaxing. Great location and balcony views of harbour and sea.
Ms Devrell May 2018
Views and location, what more could you want! A delightful company to deal with, have used many others and this has by far been the best service we’ve received. Will be coming back again!
Miss Orchard May 2018
Masters Retreat is ideally located for exploring and has fabulous views from the balcony. The apartment is mainly well equipped and has the added bonus of a parking space. We would definitely return and would look at other properties managed by Aspects Holidays.
Mr Worrall Apr 2018
The Masters Retreat is basic but you get what you pay for. The view from the balcony over the harbour and Mount's Bay compensates but the used discarded condoms on the entrance steps don't give a good first impression.
Mr Stripp Mar 2018
Reply from Aspects Holidays
We are so sorry to hear of this less than pleasant sight on arrival! Quite honestly, we have not heard of anything like this before, so hope that this was a one off, but we are so sorry that you had to arrive to that. Tanya, Customer Services
Lovely warm clean flat in a great location with lovely view. Would stay there again.
Mr Williams Jan 2018
Great place to stay home from home
Ms Bartlett Oct 2017
Masters Retreat was in an excellent position overlooking the harbour and St Michael's Mount. The views were outstanding. It was also in an ideal central position both for all amenities and being able to walk to Marazion and Mousehole.
Mrs Houlden Jul 2017
Great location Fantastic view
Ms Bartlett Feb 2017
1) Very central location close to amenities and transport. 2) Lovely views 3) quiet location - though located on main steet, the street noises did not seem to reach the apartment, possibly due to it's high elevation above street level 3) Would definitely stay in this apartment again - was delightfully clean and situated in a well kept, gated development ( most appeared to be owner occupied) and patrolled by security.
Mrs Poulsen Nov 2016
Felt like home from home, with the added bonus of a spectacular view of St Michaels Mount. After long walks in the bracing sea air it was great to come back to a warm and extremely comfortable flat.
Mrs Allitt Nov 2015
We use Aspects a lot and Maria in the PZ office was very pleasant and helpful this time around.
Mr Bennett Oct 2015
Wonderful, light and airy apartment. Lovely views and a great location very close to the bus and train stations. Using the comprehensive public transport is an easy way to travel around this beautiful part of the country.
Ms Weaver Oct 2015
As well as having attractive decor and being very well equipped, all instructions for appliances were together in a folder - really helpful and organised. It was a very nice touch to have scones and tea waiting in the table on arrival. Appreciated the information folder with useful details about the location and recommendations for where to eat out. Wonderful views of the bay and St Michaels Mount and a really convenient location for all the facilities of Penzance including easy access to the bus and railway station.
Ms Sheehan Sep 2015
Fantastic views, fabulous position and comfortable furniture.
Mr Duncombe Sep 2015