Last night the doughty old town of Penzance was glowing, bathed in Christmas lights and with the very essence of an old fashioned nostalgic Christmas, so join me for a stroll along the old timeworn flagstones under a thousand twinkly lights.
I think there’s something special about Christmas in a Penzance – a town that has stood almost unchanged through the centuries that has seen so many Christmases’ come and go like the tide in its harbour.
Christmas lights in Penzance
There’s a great atmosphere just to walk along the worn granite pavements shining in the traditional street lights; the raised granite terrace intersected by winding steps guarded by metal railing buffed by the centuries; the bustle of shoppers and workers going home and even the lights of the traffic as it winds up the narrow road.
Tiny Christmas trees bedecked with twinkling lights draw your eyes upwards and some lovely architecture is revealed framed by the night. Each element combined to give a hint of the bustle of Christmases past and present.
Welcome to Market Jew Street
A glorious fishnet of lights spangles the busy junction at the bottom of Market Jew that leads up the hill towards the towering presence of Humphry Davy – Penzance’s very own son who came from humble beginnings to rise to be the President of the Science Institute in London and as always wearing a jolly Santa Hat – I always wonder how they get it up there!
The carefully planned Christmas lights of Penzance
The main Christmas lights of Penzance arching across the streets are discreet in gold and pale blue. With the flamboyant mauve of the imposing Former Corn exchange as a dramatic counter point.
From snowflakes in Causewayhead
Causewayhead – a narrow pedestrian precinct of independent shops has a spangle of snowflakes
To holly berries in Chapel Street
Chapel Street winds gently down towards the sea again with discreet traditional holly and berries fluidly arching across the road in glowing garlands of lights. It will be a fitting finale for the serpent’s dance of Montol on the 20th of December, A winter celebrtion and parade to the reception held by the newly elected Lord of Misrule.
Glittering shop fronts and restaurants in Chapel Street
From inviting shops to cosy restaurants just about to open in secluded mews – Penzance!
A final Christmas memory from my evening in Penzance
I have one final Christmas memory to share with you this year and I think one of my favourite snaps -a slightly fuzzy one of a couple walking hand in hand under a curtain of lights over the historic granite streets of Penzance.
Explore the Christmas lights in West Cornwall
Every town and harbour in West Cornwall will be bejewelled and bedecked with lights at Christmas time. From the tiny village of Angarrick to the fantazia of Mousehole Lights on the Twelfth night. I also visited the wonderful display in St Ives too this year – there is always room for a new memory!
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