Christian Holiday Flat, Penzance — Cornwall’s Holy Headland
This welcoming Christian holiday flat, Penzance, sits in a town whose very name carries faith within it. Penzance comes from the Cornish Pen Sans, meaning “holy headland” — a reference to a small chapel, dedicated to St Anthony, that stood on the headland west of the harbour for well over a thousand years before the town grew up around it. A weathered carved figure known as “St Raffidy”, the only surviving fragment of that original chapel, can still be seen in the churchyard of St Mary’s, the parish church that now stands close to the same spot. The Garden Flat itself sits quietly away from the bustle of the town centre, on a peaceful no-through-road, while remaining within easy walking distance of the harbour, the bus and rail stations, and the ferry and helicopter links to the Isles of Scilly.
Across the bay, St Michael’s Mount has drawn people of faith for close to 1,500 years. Tradition holds that fishermen saw an apparition of the Archangel Michael on its rocky western side in AD 495, and the tidal island went on to become one of the great pilgrimage sites of medieval England — a sister house to Mont-Saint-Michel in Normandy, with a Benedictine priory established there from 1135. Pilgrims once used the Mount as a staging point on the long road to Santiago de Compostela in Spain; today, the same causeway that carried them still appears and disappears with the tide, and the Mount remains one of the most photographed views along the whole of Mount’s Bay.
Cornwall’s Christian story runs deeper still just along the coast. A mile away in Newlyn, John Wesley himself preached on his fifth visit to Cornwall in July 1747, one of more than thirty journeys he made to the county between 1743 and 1789 — and Cornwall took to Methodism more readily than almost anywhere else in England, a legacy still visible in the chapels scattered across the Penwith peninsula today. St Mary’s itself, the parish church near the old chapel site, continues to hold regular services today, alongside Methodist, Baptist and other congregations across the town. For those simply wanting to rest, the flat’s own large front garden, with its view over the bay, is reason enough to stay put.
All of this sits within an unusually easy reach of the flat, on foot as much as by car. Marazion, just across the bay, is one of the oldest chartered towns in Britain — granted its first charter by Henry III in 1257 and confirmed again by Elizabeth I in 1595 — and pilgrims making for the Benedictine priory on St Michael’s Mount would have gathered and lodged here for centuries before crossing at low tide on the causeway that still connects the two today. Guests without a car can comfortably manage the whole visit on foot, by bus, or by train, which suits many who come to rest rather than to drive.
The Garden Flat is perfect for:
- Couples and small families wanting a quiet, self-contained garden retreat in the heart of Penzance
- Pilgrimage-minded guests keen to visit St Michael’s Mount and explore Cornwall’s deep Christian history
- Clergy and church workers, with a 20% discount available on production of proof of employment
- Guests travelling without a car, thanks to the flat’s walking distance to bus, rail and Scillonian ferry links
- Dog owners, as one well-behaved dog is welcome
Location
The Garden Flat, Penzance
How to get there:
The Garden flat is ideally situated in a quiet no-through-oad but only a 5-minute walk away from the bus, train and coach terminals. The Isles of Scilly helicopter and the Scillonian boat is also only a short walk away. Newquay airport is a 50-minute drive away
Nearest Towns:
Penzance, Newlyn, Mousehole, Marazion.
Local Area
Penzance is a busy market town known for its wide variety of independent shops, cafes, public houses and restaurants. There is a cinema, a leisure centre, a sea water lido, art galleries, theatres and exotic gardens.
Penzance boasts Cornwall’s only promenade with magnificent views of St Michael’s Mount and across the bay to the Lizard Peninsula and Lands End. There are a wide variety of churches and a thriving Christian community. There are many supermarkets both in the town and on the outskirts.
There are beaches both near Newlyn and across to Marazion a well as open swimming at the battery rocks near the world-famous Jubilee Pool. There are two beautiful tropical parks and open countryside is only a short walk or drive away. Tremenheere sculpture gardens near Gulval is a real treat for nature lovers with views across the bay and many wonderful plants and art works to enjoy all year round.
The bus station provides a hub for many destinations with buses going regularly to Lands End, St Ives, Mousehole, Marazion, Newlyn and further afield to Truro and Falmouth.
Facilities
This quiet garden flat is a haven for people who want to step away from the busyness of life and enjoy nature and tranquillity whilst having all modern conveniences on their doorstep. Architecturally designed, it has a wonderful Mediterranean feel about the flat which is fully furnished.
This two-bedroom garden flat is light and airy with one double bed and one twin bedroom. There is a shower and bath and a large open plan kitchen, diner and living room.
There is room for a one small car which can be agreed in advance. There is free Wi-Fi but no television. There will be bedding provided and a fully functioning kitchen with washing machine, microwave and cooker.
There are steep steps into the flat so not wheelchair accessible, however once in the flat everything, bar one small step, is on the same level.
There is the use of a very large front garden which has a seating area with views over the bay.
This is a very quiet road so, whilst children are welcome, respect for our neighbours and their wellbeing is an important caveat to the use of the flat.
Additional Photos
Click to enlarge
Costs
November 1st to March 31st £100 per night for a minimum of two nights
April 1st to October 31st £150 per night for a minimum of three nights
20% discount is offered to clergy and paid church staff – proof of employment required.
Energy Provision: There will be a charge of £5 per night for electricity in addition to the above charges.
Availability
Available all year round. – except for the Christmas period.
Arrival and Departure times: Arrival between 3-9 pm; Departure before 12 noon.
Booking arrangements: Full week – Friday to Friday. Weekend break – Friday to Monday
Pets: One well behaved dog
Contact the Owner
If you are interested in making a booking, or you would like further information, please get in touch using the following contact details:
Name: Kate Poole
Address: The Garden Flat, Penzance
Phone Number: 07747764776
Email Address: katepoole@truro-penwith.ac.uk