Penzance

Penzance is a port in Cornwall, UK, facing south east onto the English Channel. Granted various Royal Charters from 1512 onwards and Incorporated in 1614, it has a population of about 20,000 people. Penzance is twinned with Concarneau, Brittany, Bendigo, Australia and Nevada City California.

Related Topics:
Cornwall - UK - English Channel - 1512 - 1614 - Concarneau - Bendigo - Nevada City

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Situated in the shelter of the sweeping Mount's Bay, Penzance is bordered to the west by the fishing port of Newlyn and stretches towards the small town of Marazion to the east. The town's location gives it a unique subtropical climate, much warmer then most of the rest of England.

Related Topics:
Mount's Bay - Newlyn - Marazion - Subtropical climate

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The name Penzance is derived from the Cornish pen sans, meaning "holy headland", as a chapel (St Anthony's) once stood on the point to the west of the harbour more than a millennium ago. The principal symbol of Penzance until the 1930's was the severed head of St John the baptist reflecting the towns original meaning in the Cornish Language. This symbol can still be seen on the civic regalia of the Mayor of Penzance and on several important landmarks in the town.

Related Topics:
Cornish - Mayor

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Penzance is currently the principal town on the Penwith peninsula.

Related Topics:
Penwith - Peninsula

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Penzance is the home of the 2 main links to the Isles of Scilly, namely a foot passenger ferry service (The Scillonian) and a passenger helicopter service.

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It was the birthplace of chemist Sir Humphry Davy.

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Penzance is allegedly the place where the death of Admiral Lord Nelson was announced first following the interception of the Royal Naval Vessel HMS Pickle by local fishermen.

Related Topics:
Nelson - HMS Pickle

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Penzance until the 1930's was confined to the actual town of Penzance itself, Since this time the historical Borough of Penzance was extended to include the nearby settlements of Newlyn, Mousehole, Gulval and Heamoor. The ancient Borough of Penzance was abolished on 1974 and replaced initially by the Penzance Charter Trustees and from 1980, Penzance Town Council.

Related Topics:
Borough - Newlyn - Mousehole - Gulval - Heamoor - Charter Trustees

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Places of interest in Penzance include Penlee House - an art gallery and museum, notable for its collection of paintings by members of the Newlyn School.

Related Topics:
Penlee House - Newlyn School

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The sub-tropical Morrab Gardens are notable for their range of tender trees and shrubs many of which could not be grown outdoors anywhere else in the UK. The surrounding Regency and Georgian terraces and houses are only tainted by the shadow of the nearby seven-storey 1960s government offices. Chapel Street, the former main street of Penzance includes many sites of interest including the Egyptian House ,The Union Hotel (site of a georgian theatre), The Turks Head Inn and The Branwell House where the Mother and Aunt of the famous Bronte sisters once lived.

Related Topics:
Morrab Gardens - Regency - Georgian - 1960s

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Also of interest is the sea front with its promenade and Jubilee Bathing Pool harking back to Penzance's heyday at the turn of the century as a fashionable seaside resort.

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It is the home of fictional pirates in Gilbert and Sullivan's play The Pirates of Penzance; at the time the play was written Penzance was peaceful enough that the very idea of its being overrun by pirates was amusing.

Related Topics:
Pirate - Gilbert and Sullivan - The Pirates of Penzance

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Every June, for the last 15 years the Golowan festival, including Mazey Eve, Mazey Day and Quay Fair Day, is held throughout the town.

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