Forget London! This Coastal Town Offers Smaller Crowds & Medieval Charm

London is a bucket list destination for millions of Americans, and listen, we totally get it: who doesn’t want to risk a cheeky selfie with a red telephone box, stroll along the Thames riverfront, or witness the change of the Royal Guard with Buckingham Palace for a backdrop?

The sad reality is, there are two versions of London, one that exists in the minds of tourists, and the reality on the ground.

Yes, it is a fascinating city packed full of iconic sights, but on the downside, it’s chaotic, fast-paced, increasingly dangerous, and more often than not, you rarely feel as if you’re actually in England.

We mean, good luck hearing some good old cockney around, or even English at all in parts of North London. Now, if you’re craving some of that unspoiled English charm, there’s this gorgeous coastal town, some 5 hours away by train, yet to be spoiled by the masses:

Welcome To Penzance, England’s Best Kept Secret

Located close to the southwestern-most tip of England, in the Celtic-influenced Cornwall, Penzance is a small port town with around 21,000 residents that only English (or should we say Cornish?) locals seem to know about.

While St. Ives has grown in popularity in recent years, the equally pretty Penzance continues to be overlooked, despite its undeniable cultural offer and coastal views.

For starters, it sits on Mount’s Bay, overlooking St Michael’s Mount, a medieval castle perched on a tidal island (yep, much like the French St. Michael’s Mount, except it’s far less touristy).

Then there’s the fact that Penzance is the quintessential English harbor town, with a storybook cover of an Old Town, peppered with Georgian semi-detached houses, elegant Regency-era buildings, and boasting a scenic promenade.

A Peaceful Fall Getaway

Penzance may not be nearly as famous as other coastal gems in England, like Brighton, Blackpool, or Bournemouth, but it’s certainly got a lot going for it.

In summer, it turns into one of Cornwall’s liveliest beach getaways, with Cornish families flocking to its shingle-covered Promenade Beach, or the nearby Wherrytown Beach, a stretch of sandy, gentle slopes wedged between Penzance town itself and neighboring Newlyn.

In the fall, it continues to enjoy a temperate climate, with thermometers hitting as high as 67°F, and dipping to nighttime lows of around 54–57°F in September.

It’s not exactly the Mediterranean, but it’s as warm as it gets in England in the off-season. It’s a wonder that subtropical plants thrive here, particularly at the Morrab Gardens, a Victorian verdant escape traversed with winding pathways through landscaped plantings.

Medieval Charm Without The Crowds

Mild fall weather aside, Penzance has got its fair share of medieval flair. While the town itself isn’t as old as St. Ives or Truro, having only grown significantly in the 16th century, it’s located within short driving distance of some of Cornwall’s oldest sites.

These include the aforementioned St. Michael’s Mount, clearly visible from Penzance’s waterfront, and roughly 15 minutes driving, the much-overlooked St. Maddern’s Church, which has Norman origins and an ancient well locals deem holy, and the former village of Gulval:

Historically its own parish, Gulval has officially been absorbed into Penzance, though it still feels like a separate village, in a way: picture quaint, stone-built townhouses, narrow lanes, and an idyllic medieval church.

If you’re into historic ruins, then you also can’t miss out on Chysauster Ancient Village, an Iron Age archaeological site around a 30-minute drive up the coastal B3306.

Unspoiled English Charm

Atlantic views and medieval allure aside, Penzance’s greatest draw is its traditionalism. Whether you’re pro or against London’s multiculturalism, we can all agree it’s not exactly representative of deep, unmistakably English England.

Though there is the odd Chinese or kebab, the local chippy remains the preferred takeout spot, and trust us when we say Penzance’s family-owned Fraser’s serves a killer fish and chips.

Freshly-caught fish, enveloped in that crispy batter we love, and melt-in-your-mouth-soft on the inside, coupled with locally-farmed potatoes, and only for around $13.45.

If you love pub fare, you’ll be thrilled to know there are a couple of well-loved public houses serving Cornish pies and delicious beer right on the harbor: we’re thinking The Ship Inn, overlooking the fishing boats and with a lively feel, and the nautical-themed The Admiral Benbow.

Penzance is famously featured in Gilbert & Sullivan’s Pirates of Penzance opera, and keeping up with the piracy tradition, the Admiral has its own ‘pirate’ fish pie, consisting of smoked haddock and hard-boiled egg, and topped with mashed potatoes and cheese sauce on the side.

Penzance Is Safer Than London

Last but certainly not least, the main reason for the great exodus of Brits escaping London in recent years is the rising crime.

From knifing to pickpocketing to home burglaries, the English capital is increasingly resembling Global South metropolises. Penzance, on the other hand, is a lot safer in comparison, as is a majority of Cornish towns.

As of May 2025, the overall crime rate in London is 76 per 100,000 residents, as seen on CrimeRate UK, whereas in Cornwall, the overall figure is 50 per 100,000. That’s lower than the national average of 70.

In other words, it’s not necessarily crime-free, but let’s just say you’re way less likely to get mugged by a masked biker strolling Penzance’s usually-peaceful promenade than shopping up Oxford Street.

From London Paddington To Penzance

Wondering how to get to Penzance this fall? Easy! Hop on a direct train at London Paddington:

Penzance lies along the Great Western Railway route (GWR), and the journey there from the capital takes around 5 hours. It travels mostly along the coast, and as the train heads west, you’re graced with epic views of the Atlantic and other sleepy English towns.

Off-peak, advance tickets start from as cheap as $58 one-way, and they can be booked directly at GWR’s website.