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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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Idle Moments
Penzance
Warm your toes in front of the woodburner, whilst snuggling up with your favourite book.
The cosy open plan living area in this charming cottage offers the perfect setting to escape from it all.
Start the day with warm buttery pastries before heading out.
Pour yourselves a cup of tea and enjoy a lazy morning together in the cosy cottage.
The kitchen is fully equipped to rustle up delicious meals.
Let the chef of the family rustle up a wholesome dinner.
Settle into the soft sheets of the double bed and drift into a dreamy slumber.
Enjoy a slower start to your day with some breakfast in bed.
White fluffy towels await after your morning shower.
Bedroom 2 has a single bed perfect for young adults or children.
Wake up and decide on the day's plans over a morning cuppa.
Wash off sandy toes in the shower after a day on the beach.
Warm up with fluffy towels after a rejuvenating shower.
Relax in the rear courtyard after a day browsing the unique shops and galleries that are on your doorstep.
Idle Moments, a traditional Cornish Cottage just around the corner from the historic Chapel Street, Penzance.
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Set within a short walk of the vibrancy of central Penzance, a stylish cottage awaits; Idle Moments has contemporary interior touches mixed with the traditional. Subtle greys and blues have been fused with beautiful splashes of colour in the comfortable furnishings. The two bedrooms are set on the first floor along with the spacious family bathroom. Relax with a book and your morning coffee in the small outside area at the rear of the cottage before heading into the town to explore the galleries, shops and many eateries. This quaint cottage is perfect for solo escapes and romantic getaways.
Idle Moments, which is perfectly named to stop, put your feet up, and enjoy a blissful break away from your usual routine. When you do decide to head out, Chapel Street is only minutes away, steeped in history, with the infamous Turks Head and Admiral Benbow pubs and numerous other individual boutique style shops. A perfect bolthole for taking your pick from any one of the stunning local beaches and enjoy a good old fashioned day at the seaside complete with picnic and flask of tea.
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Where you'll sleep
Entrance
front door from road into small porch, door into:
Kitchen/dining room/sitting room
electric oven and hob, fridge with freezer compartment, dishwasher, dining table with three chairs, sofa, armchair, window seat, TV, DVD, woodburner. Door to rear yard and stairs to:
Bedroom 1
double bed.
Bedroom 2
single bed.
Shower room
walk-in shower, WC, basin, cupboard with washing machine.
Outside area
bistro table, two chairs.
Additional information
Electric heating. No children under 6, WiFi, short breaks available.
We had a lovely week at Idle Moments. It’s comfortable and cosy with everything you might need for a relaxing stay. We travelled by train so the location is perfect, only a short walk to both trains and buses. The cottage is beautifully decorated and furnished. The weather didn’t enable use to use the courtyard but we imagine it would be very pleasant on a summer evening. We’ve already booked a return visit so that perhaps indicates how much we liked it!
Mrs Clark March 2024
Spent a lovely week here visiting family and friends. Great location. A well equipped and very comfortable house.
Mrs Mitchell December 2023
Holidays in Penzance
On a sunny day, St. Michael’s Mount, Mount's Bay and Penzance seafront might be mistaken for the Mediterranean making holidays in Penzance a jet-set-style holiday you can enjoy without climbing on a plane.
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.
Did you know...
Penzance has one of the mildest climates in the UK!
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You might also be interested in...
Beaches in and near Penzance
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.
Places to visit near Penzance
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.
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Events
Montol Festival
Each year, the people of Penzance celebrate the Winter Solstice with a festival of Cornish tradition, torch processions, and dancing through the streets. It's a truly wonderful celebration.
21st December 2024
Penzance Literary Festival
Popular with visitors and locals alike, this exciting festival celebrates everything literary, including spoken, written, recited and sung word. Take part in the reading and writing discussions and activities and enjoy the many performances.
2nd - 6th July 2024
Golowan Festival - Penzance
Golowan Festival is an annual arts event that celebrates local culture and community. This year the theme will be 'Back to the Future!
21st - 30th June 2024
Things to do in 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.
Events in Penzance
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.
Getting around
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!
What our guests say...
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 lovely week at Idle Moments. It’s comfortable and cosy with everything you might need for a relaxing stay. We travelled by train so the location is perfect, only a short walk to both trains and buses. The cottage is beautifully decorated and furnished. The weather didn’t enable use to use the courtyard but we imagine it would be very pleasant on a summer evening. We’ve already booked a return visit so that perhaps indicates how much we liked it!
Mrs Clark 4 weeks ago
Spent a lovely week here visiting family and friends. Great location. A well equipped and very comfortable house.
Mrs Mitchell Jan 2024
A lovely cottage in a good central location and very quiet. Well decorated, clean and had everything we could have wanted. Highly recommended.
Mrs Dziewulski Oct 2023
Idle Moments was a lovely little place to stay. Very comfortable neat and tidy and well equipped with everything we needed. Great location, very close to the harbour, shops, train and bus station. An ideal base for exploring this beautiful area. Aspects faultless once again. Easy to book all staff extremely helpful and polite. We have recommended Aspects many times to friends and family and we will continue to do so. Thank you so much, we will be back soon. Lorraine and Kev Derbyshire
Mrs Edwards Sep 2023
Comfortable, very good location especially for people dependant on public transport. Easy walk to shops and about 12-15 minutes walk to the station/bus station. It is a very small cottage but has been refurbished very nicely. West facing courtyard so gets a bit of sun in the afternoon. Quiet street. No views but a good one from the end of the street over the harbour. It's a feature of small cottages like these, but stairs were steep and a little slippery so would not be suitable for children or people with mobility issues. But I would stay again.
Mrs Borris Sep 2023
Reply from Aspects Holidays
We are so glad that you enjoyed it. It certainly is in a fantastic location for exploring that area of Cornwall. It is quite typical for traditional Cornish cottages to have steeper narrower stairs than what many of us are used to in more modern properties, so this is always worth bearing in mind when booking a traditional cottage around here. We do hope this was all as you expected. Thanks for taking the time to send in your helpful comments and hopefully we will see you back here soon. Tanya, Customer Services
Once again a perfect holiday I can't recommend idle moments enough it has everything for a perfect relaxing holiday. Great location for all the shops, harbour and the train station and bus station We have booked again for next year I think that says it all can't come soon enough
Mr Hughes Sep 2023
Well equipped cottage handy for shops and public transport.
Mr Thomson Jul 2023
Yet another booking I made with aspects holidays and once again, I am as happy as I could be. Great house, very well equipped, good location. This time I travelled on my own. I think, this house will be great for couples, too. Probably would not recommend for families with little children or elderly/handicapped people as the stairs to the top floor could cause problems for them. Apart from that, everything has been absolutely perfect.
Mr Roggenbuck-van der Heyde May 2023
Reply from Aspects Holidays
Thanks for your review. As with many of the characterful, traditional Cornish cottages; stairs and layouts in these kinds of properties are often steeper and narrower than what we are used to in more modern buildings, so may not suit all party members. But for those who can manage these, we hope you will agree is worth it for the lovely character and charm which and fantastic location, so close to the town, yet a short stroll to the beautiful Cornish coast. Please do not hesitate to contact us to check on the suitability of any property before booking. Tanya, Customer Services
Centrally located, cozy house, good connection to bus and train. Perfect for two people
Mr Schumann Apr 2023
Not the first time we’ve stayed at Idle Moments and it won’t be the last - everything was perfect.
Mrs Allitt Mar 2023
Position Excellent,, right for Services etc, Not Suitable for Seniors, Court yard could be [MPROVED TO DAMP ETC,. Rather Small and Dirty
Mr STACEY Oct 2022
Reply from Aspects Holidays
Thank you for your feedback. The courtyard has now been jet-washed, so that should look much nicer. Unfortunately, with the hosepipe bans in place earlier in the year, this had not been possible previously. The stairs in many of the traditional cottages around here, are often a little steeper and narrower than many of us are used to in more modern homes, so this may be something to consider before booking. We try to give an idea of these in the photos, but you are always welcome to call the bookings team to check and ask any questions on a properties suitability before booking. We are always very happy to help. We do hope that you still had a great time here. Tanya, Customer Services
What a wonderful little cottage, so close to all the amenities and the harbour. We could not fault it in anyway. A perfect place to have a chilled holiday. We were so impressed we have already booked for next year. Can wait to get back there.
Mr Hughes Sep 2022
Idle Moments is very clean, comfortable and nicely decorated. It is in a great location, within easy walking distance of shops, pubs, restaurants and public transport. We could definitely stay there again.
Ms Olle Sep 2022
Nice little cottage containing everything you need. Just be aware that cottage is on a hill which is quite steep up to the high street. We are in our seventies though!
Mrs Thomas Jun 2022
Idle Moments is a super cottage, just off the main street, comfortable and quiet, great shower, wifi etc, all working perfectly, the bus or train is just a 5 minute walk away, the transport system runs smoothly with a large variety of Cornwall destinations on offer. We have stayed in this area many times, it is absolutely stunning. . Aspect Holidays was a great company to deal with, easy booking and clear arrival information. I would love to holiday again at this cottage.
Ms. Bluck May 2022
Cosy and well equipped. We has a very comfortable week.
Mrs Mitchell Dec 2021
Lovely, cosy cottage on a quiet residential street behind Chapel St. Very handy for all amenities, and only a 10-minute walk to bus and train stations. Wood-burning stove makes autumn evenings nice and snug.
Mrs Ryan-Atkin Nov 2021
No thanks
Mrs Bradstock Nov 2021
Central location to the town and only a short walk to the harbour. Located on a quiet residential road. Enjoyed the complimentary cream tea pack on arrival. We usually choose properties with a sea view but the convenience of being just a short walk away from cafes, restaurants and shops made up for the lack of views. The little courtyard would be great for summer weather whilst the log burner was lovely for cosy autumn/winter evenings. Comfortable beds. Well equipped kitchen. Good sized shower and bathroom. Although it’s quite a small cottage it had everything we needed. Would book to stay there again.
Mrs Smith Nov 2021
A very good, if smallish, house in a great area of town. We'd certainly book again. Wonderful standard of hygiene and workmanship. Everything seemed brand new. Highly recommended. The Aspects team couldn't have been nicer or more efficient - they re-booked us twice without any fuss (covid and faulty train withdrawal). Don't hesitate to use them.
Mr Ashmore Oct 2021
Idle Moments definitely lived up to its name. It was such a relaxing and comfortable holiday home located in one of the many quiet and beautiful streets of Penzance. The cottage’s decor was clean and contemporary and the beds extremely comfortable. In short it provided everything for a perfect holiday, but we didn’t expect anything else from one of Aspects properties as they always deliver a first class service.
Mrs Allitt Sep 2021
We had a great stay in Penzance and in Idle Moments. Perfect location.
Mrs Krol Aug 2021
Great place to stay, what you see online is exactly what you get.
Mrs Stewart Jul 2021
Very nice place good location and very well maintained stairs are a little narrow but got used to them would stay again
Mrs Cooke Jul 2021
Lovely cosy property in a great location.
Very clean and well maintained.
Everything you need for a great week exploring Cornwall.
Enjoy!
Mr Horswill Jul 2021
This is a really nicely decorated small cottage, very comfortable and well located. Contrary to previous reviews I’ve found the cleaning to be spotless and have no complains at all. We had a delightful stay at the cottage and would totally recommend it. Great value for money.
Mrs Broughall May 2021
Idle Moments is perfectly placed for exploring western Cornwall and very close to the water for those wanting harbour access. The cottage is beautiful and bijou. It has everything you will need for a cozy and comfortable stay. We will definitely be booking Idle Moments again.
Ms Wade May 2021
We enjoyed our second stay at Idle Moments very much. It was quiet, comfy and cosy and felt like home within a few hours. We enjoyed the lovely log burner and the cooking facilities were also very good. The location is excellent as it is in the centre of Penzance and close to all amenities.
We noted a previous poor review, but would disagree with many of the points made. The property, in our view is good value for money and the location is excellent.
Thanks to the owner and Aspects for the hospitality we have enjoyed!
Mrs Ashton Oct 2020
This is a beautiful cottage, with everything one could need for a pleasant stay. The property despite being near the centre of Penzance, it is on a very quiet road, and close to many cafe's, bars and restaurants. And a short stroll to the sea front to take in the Cornish air.
A lovely welcome pack was waiting for us, they had thought everything through to keep any virus at a minimum. There is long stay parking at the harbour, which is a short walk down a steep slipway/cobbled road.
Ms White Oct 2020
We had an absolutely wonderful short stay at idle moments. It’s a great location, very central and is incredibly cosy inside. Everything was very comfortable and it was a real shame to leave!
Miss Gill Sep 2020
We had a very pleasant stay at Idle Moments. The property is small but well thought out and furnished. The only thing lacking is a view - but this is reflected in the price. As stated in the property details, the stairs are quite steep and the treads are small, so perhaps not suitable for some. We love Penzance and would definitely consider returning to this property.
Mrs Roberts Sep 2020
A lot of money for what you get. If you walk to the end of the road the view over the harbour is nice. The beds and sofa's are comfortable, the idea of a log burner is nice and the oven is very efficient. However I was very disappointed with the overall cleanliness, there was food in the bin, an empty shampoo bottle in the shower, the dishwasher was full and the kitchen floor was dirty, yet it was meant to have been deep cleaned due to covid?! I did wonder if it had been cleaned at all? The garden could be much better, it's pokey and the furniture is very basic and uncomfortable, kitchen utensils are cheap and broken, for the extortionate price we paid, I certainly wouldn't go there again, I was expecting a much better experience.
Mrs Barlow Aug 2020
Reply from Aspects Holidays
We would just like to reassure you that the housekeeper had definitely attended before your arrival to carry out the clean, but we are very sorry to hear if areas had been missed. We would always expect everything to be 100% both during this pandemic or in more 'usual' times, and had we been aware of any issues we would have contacted the housekeeper and requested that they return to address any areas of concern immediately. At this stage it is difficult for us to investigate, with further cleans having taken place, but we have passed on the feedback to the housekeeper, so thank you for bringing this to our attention. Whilst certain areas here in Cornwall can be more expensive compared to others or renting in other parts of the country, we always try to ensure that properties are priced competitively and try to offer a range of properties to meet the differing tastes, styles and needs of individuals. This property had met all required standards on the last inspection and taking on board all past feedback and comparable properties, we felt that it had been priced accordingly, taking into account many factors including the fantastic location just a stroll from the shops, galleries and cafes of Penzance, and minutes from the harbour and promenade. Similar to other traditional properties of a similar age in this area, the outside space is certainly compact and simple, so we have tried to show this as clearly as possible within the photos and hope that this was what you were expecting. Thank you for letting us know about the kitchen utensils; having received your feedback, the owners have already replaced the spatula and will be getting other items replaced as well. We would hate for anyone to be disappointed with their chosen property, so if you are ever returning, please do not hesitate to get in contact with our very knowledgeable team who will be able to help advise you on the best properties to meet all of your needs. Tanya, Customer Services
Money well spent. The weather was atrocious but the house was warm and comfortable.
Mrs Harrison Nov 2019
Cute cottage ideally located near harbour and bus station, restaurants and Shops. Very quiet, already booked for next year!
Mrs Lenk Oct 2019
Loved our stay at Idle Moments, central to everything. The cottage had everything we needed for our week, furnishings were of good quality and plenty of equipment in the kitchen. We ate in several restaurants in the town, all serving really nice food. Would highly recommend the Bakehouse and the Turks head for food. Thank you Aspects for a great holiday.
Mrs Turvey Sep 2019
We had two very nice weeks at Penzance and the surrounding areas.
Mr. Ihrig Jul 2019
Our second stay here and hope to return. Excellent facilities and decor. A joy to be there. Steep road to shops and port, but set in the heart of old Penzance. Wonderful!
Mr Lake Jun 2019
Very nice cottage. Comfortable and a great location. Finished to a high standard. Be aware there is no parking close by but you can unload outside then find parking.
Mr Breakell Jun 2019
Good location, plenty of eating places around, but fully equipped for all our needs. Excellent decor,.
Mr Lake Jun 2019
A cosy, well-equipped cottage. Brilliant location in the old (and best) part of Penzance near the harbour.
Ms Carter Apr 2019
We enjoyed our stay in Idle Moments very much! It is a lovely cottage which has been carefully renovated. The cottage is positioned close to the centre of Penzance and adjacent to Chapel Street, which is a lovely street with interesting and historic buildings. The cottage is also incredibly quiet, so a perfect place to stay for a relaxing holiday. Many thanks to the owner and Aspects - we would certainly like to stay there again. Mr & Mrs Ashton
Mrs Ashton Apr 2019