Penzance ‘lits’ up again in 2019

Penzance Literary Festival returns to historic Penzance for its 10th year from 3rd – 6th July 2019. Celebrating words with poetic, theatrical and musical performances as well as writing workshops and literary walks.

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The Hypatia Trust

The Hypatia Trust is a charity based in Penzance, dedicated to maintaining, protecting and developing The Hypatia Collection, a unique body of books, artefacts and archives (including diaries, letters and scrapbooks) that exhibit the literary, artistic and scientific works of women. The Hypatia Trust launched the 'A room of our own' campaign in 2012, inspired by Virginia Woolf, in order to find a permanent place for the Elizabeth Teffry Collection, with this unique collection of 3000 items now residing at The Morrab Library in Penzance. The collection comprises works by and about women and their lives in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

The Morrab Library

Established in 1818, The Morrab is a large independent library located in the heart of the beautiful Morrab Gardens. Home to over 55,000 books including classical literature, historical titles and biographies accumulated since its opening in the 19th Century. The Jenner Room at the library exhibits an extensive Cornish collection, with some of its items dating back to pre-1801. The library also has an array of 18th and 19th Century periodicals including Cornish newspapers, Parliamentary Reports and Historic Manuscript Commission Reports.

The Morrab Library is open on Tuesday through to Saturday from 10am to 4pm.

The Edge of the World Bookshop

Dubbed by The Guardian as one of the 'most loved bookshops around the world', the aptly named Edge of the World Bookshop, run by Racheal and James Howorth, is Penzance's leading independent book shop, filled with an array of classic, quirky and local Cornish titles in every genre.

The Edge of the World Bookshop is open on Monday through to Saturday from 9am to 5:30pm and on Sunday in high season from 10am to 4pm.

Barton Books

Barton Books is another of Penzance's loved independent bookshops, boasting a wide collection of art, design, photography and fashion titles as well as illustrated literature, children's books, lovely journals and notebooks and an ever-growing collection of secondhand books.

Barton Books is open on Tuesday through to Friday from 10am – 4pm and on Saturday from 10am – 3pm.

Where to stay & eat

Nestled into bustling Chapel Street is Chapel House, a charming 6-room Georgian townhouse, just a stone's throw from Penzance's historic harbour. Find out about our visit by clicking here.

The Shore is a cosy and welcoming restaurant run by Chef patron Bruce Rennie. Booking is a must to get a table here.
Click here to read about our meal.