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Discover the Charm of Penzance’s Iconic Pubs
Today I explore Penzance. The Star Inn, a historic pub in Penzance, combines mid-19th-century charm with its past as a synagogue, offering a cosy atmosphere and cask ale. Nearby, the Admiral Benbow exudes maritime history, featuring nautical décor and a cosy ambiance reminiscent of a ship. This 17th-century pub inspired Treasure Island and celebrates its smuggling roots. Lastly, The Crown, a Grade II listed establishment, serves as a gathering spot with a friendly vibe and a selection of cask ales from the Cornish Crown Brewery. Each pub offers a unique experience tied to Penzance’s rich history and vibrant local culture.
Penzance is a seaside town in Cornwall with a long and lively past. Its name means “holy headland,” and it started out as a small settlement around a chapel. Over time, it became a busy market town and fishing port. In 1595, it was even attacked by Spanish raiders! Things picked up in the 1800s when the railway arrived, turning it into a popular holiday spot. With its historic harbour, quirky buildings, and creative feel, Penzance has kept its charm. It’s also the last stop before heading off to the Isles of Scilly.
The Star Inn
After a very scenic train journey from Exeter to Penzance, my first call of the day was to The Star Inn. This pub was originally built as the mid‑19th‑century Star Inn on Market Jew Street and the building incorporates an 18th‑century dwelling and an early‑19th‑century former synagogue (Penzance’s second) whose origins date to 1768. In 1837 the Jewish community expanded the synagogue, which later became a Christian meeting space before its 1980s integration into the pub. The Star closed in 2012 but was revived and extensively refurbished by 2019, becoming Penzance’s largest pub with historic character and varying floor‑levels.
Inside has a warm, traditional feel with wooden floors, old beams, and cosy seating. It’s spread over several levels, with quiet corners upstairs and relaxed lounge areas below. There are comfortable sofas, wooden tables, and vintage photos on the walls. A games area with pool, darts, and table football adds a fun touch. The mix of old features and modern comfort.
On the bar a single local cask ale alongside a choice of keg options. I went with “Tribute” from St Austell Brewery. A very easy drinking, well balanced pale ale.
Admiral Benbow
A short walk brings me next to the Admiral Benbow. This pub dates back to the 17th century and is steeped in maritime history. Named after Admiral John Benbow, a celebrated Royal Navy officer, the pub was once a haunt for smugglers and seafarers. The building’s thick stone walls and hidden passages hint at its smuggling past. It famously inspired Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island, with the opening scenes set in a similarly named inn. Today, it remains a beloved historic pub, offering a unique glimpse into Cornwall’s rich coastal heritage.
As you walk inside you are transported into a maritime treasure trove. The low-beamed ceilings, wood-panelled walls, and flickering candlelight create a cosy, old-world atmosphere. Nautical artifacts fill every corner—anchors, ship wheels, diving helmets, and figureheads salvaged from wrecks. A lifesize pirate mannequin greets guests, adding to the pub’s swashbuckling charm. Hidden nooks and winding staircases hint at its smuggling past, while roaring fireplaces and vintage furniture offer warmth and character. The décor tells stories of centuries at sea, making every visit feel like stepping into a sailor’s tale or the pages of Treasure Island.
It is designed to feel like the inside of an old ship. Wooden beams arch overhead like a ship’s hull, and the walls are lined with planks and maritime relics that mimic a captain’s quarters. Porthole-style windows, ropes, lanterns, and brass fittings add to the illusion, making you feel as if you have stepped aboard a vintage vessel. Narrow passages, creaking floorboards, and the dim, atmospheric lighting enhance the nautical ambiance.
On the bar a great line up of 3 cask ales to choose from alongside keg options. In here I went with “Classic” from Treen’s Brewery. A fantastic full bodied Traditional Bitter, well balanced and full of flavour.
The Crown
My last call in Penzance was to The Crown. This is a Grade II listed pub dating from the early 19th century. Built in plaster with a slurried slate roof and distinctive sashed windows, its corner positioning contributes to the historic streetscape of Victoria Square. Since opening, the Inn has served as a local gathering place and, more recently, became the taproom for the Cornish Crown Brewery which was established in 2012.
Inside you’ll find a warm and welcoming space that feels like a friendly living room. Tidy wooden tables and chairs sit next to relaxing coloured walls, complemented by an upholstered bench seating beneath sash windows. A large mirror along one side brightens the room, while a snug which is big enough for two small tables offers a cosier corner. Outside a great sun trap beer garden for customers to enjoy.
A fantastic warm welcome from Michelle behind the bar today, offering 2 cask ales from their own brewery alongside a number of keg beers which includes some of their own. I went with their own “Causeway Bitter”, their best selling ale. A delicious Traditional Bitter which is malty, smooth and full of flavour.
Micropub Adventures 