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Penzance, a historic market town located about 10 miles from Land's End in the western tip of Cornwall, lends its name to the famed Gilbert and Sullivan opera "The Pirates of Penzance". The town was founded around the 13th century. Penzance has had a storied history in its role as a tin exporter and ship building, and as the main commercial center for the peninsula known as Land's End. Today, tourism is the town's main industry.
The area's history goes back to the Stone Age, and there are antiquities visitors can view today. Chysauster is an example of a late Iron Age village, showing remnants of house layouts and underground grain storage areas. Burial chambers, or "quoits", are dotted around the area too. The Merry Maidens stone circle is also located near the village of Lamorna on the Land's End peninsula.
Mining is also celebrated in Penzance. The Geevor Tin Mine heritage center takes a look at tin mining in the 18th and early 19th centuries. An underground tour of the Wheal Mexico tin mine that was part of the larger Geevor mine and a heritage center. The Levant Mine and Beam Engine, the oldest engine in Cornwall, has been restored and is now steam-powered.
Art galleries such as the Newlyn Art Gallery and The Exchange are located in Penzance. Morrab Gardens, the public gardens in the center of the town, retain their Victorian origins. Nearby Trengwaiton Gardens feature exotic trees and shrubs. Visitors who enjoy theater will especially appreciate award-winning Minack Theatre carved into the Cliffside overlooking Porthcurno Bay.
Swimming and water recreation opportunities abound in the Penzance area. Beaches offer both sandy shores for family activities and rocky outcroppings that bring back a historic feel, and variations of both. Skilled surfers can take advantage of waves of all sizes. Surfer wanna-bes can attend surfing schools such as Global Boarders. The Jubilee Pool outdoor swimming pool is Britain's last remaining open air lido, and particularly popular with families.
Penzance is known for its week-long Golowan Festival that takes place in late June. The festival's premier event, Mazey Day spotlights local arts and crafts and processions that bring thousands to the town.
About 30 pubs are located in and around the town, some in historic buildings. Restaurants in town offer traditional British fare as well as Chinese, Thai, Indian, Italian and other cuisines.
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