Penzance Pictures
Cornwall, England

Penzance.

The bugcrew were a little disappointed by Penzance. It has an interesting history - it was, among other things, pillaged and destroyed by a Spanish fleet [a few years after the armada débacle] and was a smuggling hub - and is well located to explore some of Cornwall's great sights such as nearby St Michael's Mount, the Eden Project, towns like St Ives and superb beaches such as Porthcurno or Kynance Cove. It is also home to a couple of excellent museums.
Perhaps it was the dull weather when we were there but the town seemed a little short of interest and lacking joie de vivre.

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Penzance Jubilee Pool, an open-air swimming pool.

The ancient, dramatic Admiral Benbow pub, a friendly place [so long as you're not a revenue officer] totally crammed with seafaring booty collected over 400 years and historic drinking spot for smugglers [that's one on the roof].

One of many ship's figureheads on board the Benbow.

Penzance's 'Egyptian House' in Chapel Street.

Market Jew Street, Penzance town centre.

Just across the bay from Penzance sits one of Cornwall's most interesting historical attractions, St Michael's Mount, a fortified mansion isolated by water when the tide is in.