The quay is the oldest part of Penzance. The town originated as a fishing community which sheltered their boats within the small sandy headland at Battery Rocks.

Just behind Battery Rocks is St Anthony Gardens, the site of an 11TH Century Chapel. The origin of name ' Penzance' is from the Cornish Pen Sans, meaning Holy Headland. A cross was found here and can still be seen nearby at St Mary's Church.

The earliest references to Penzance are of it being used for the landing of fish in 1327, however the first quay was not constructed until 200 years later.

Sandy Headland The Origin of Penzance

The quay area is not only picturesque but is still commercial with Holmans, a working ship yard. This yard was hewn out the solid stone cliff in 1812.

The quay is easily accessible, with car parking available and is in the close proximity of train and bus stations.

Car Park

Train Station & Bus Station

There is public seating available in the quay area, located in St Anthony's Gardens and at the junction of Abbey Slip and Jennings Street.

The latter provides a view of the harbour and the Abbey Slip, and is at the point of access to Jennings St, a direct short walk to the centre of town.

   View of Harbour From Public Seating

St Anthonys Gardens

Penzance had the first lifeboat in Cornwall installed in 1803. However it was never used and had to be sold nine years later to meet a debt.

Another lifeboat was based here in 1853. The Lifeboat house was built in 1885 and housed it until 1913.

Quay Street 

Quay Street is one of the oldest streets in Penzance. It is located where the town originated.

It is a short street containing two public houses, a restaurant and a shop.

Penzance promenade begins here and extends almost to Newlyn. This is the only promenade in Cornwall.

Quay Street

Penzance Promenade

Next to Battery rocks is the Jubilee Bathing Pool. This is an open air sea fed swimming pool built in 1935, as an art-deco lido.

There is a pathway around one side of the bathing pool providing access to Battery rocks, where interesting sea life can be seen in the rock pools. It is also popular with keen swimmers who use it all year round.

The name Battery Rocks originates from the gun battery that was located here in the 18TH Century. This was, where the bathing pool is now located.

Pathway Around One Side Of the Bathing Pool

Jubilee Bathing Pool

Penzance dock is used to moor both commercial and private shipping. For those travelling to the Isles of Scilly, the Scillonian sails from the lighthouse pier

Penzance Quay

Next to the dock is the harbour . This, unlike the dock, is left dry twice a day by the tides. Within the harbour are moored primarily private owned vessels. The harbour was considerably larger, but it was partially filled in to provide a much needed car park.

Penzance Harbour

Ross is a swing bridge, which swings 30 yards to give a 44 foot gap when access or exit is required to the dry dock. The bridge carries a road leading to both the bus and train stations. 

Seafaring has been a way of life for Cornwall and this is still reflected by the existence of a dry dock on one side of the bridge. Marine engineering has been carried out at this site since 1810.

 
Ross Bridge 

St Marys Church

Looking up Under Chapel Street there is a good view of St Mary's, the largest church in Penzance. This church  was built in the 1830s and stands on the site of a previous medieval church.

Within the churchyard can be seen the ancient cross that was found at the site where Penzance first originated.