Sailing with a dog into Penzance

jenwhelan234
Aug 24
2 min read

Updated: Oct 1

⛵ The Approach

Penzance Harbour sits at the eastern end of Mount’s Bay, sheltered but very tidal. The outer harbour dries, so access to the inner wet dock is only possible around high water, through a lock gate. Visiting yachts need to time their arrival carefully and contact harbour control on VHF Ch 12 for instructions.

Skippers’ tip: Don’t cut corners around the approach to Mount’s Bay — give Gwennap Head and the Runnel Stone plenty of room. Once inside the bay, the scenery softens, with St Michael’s Mount rising like a fairytale castle in the distance.

🐶 Dog Walks from Penzance Harbour

Penzance is a brilliant base for dogs. From the harbour, it’s only a short walk to:

The Promenade – Cornwall’s longest promenade runs along the seafront towards Newlyn. Perfect for morning strolls with sea views.
Morrab Gardens – A subtropical haven in the heart of town, ideal for shaded summer walks.
Marazion & St Michael’s Mount Causeway – At low tide, we walked the ancient causeway across to the Mount. Dogs aren’t allowed inside the castle, but the beach and views are well worth it. Svea loved trotting along the prom, nose in the breeze, before flopping down in the sand at Marazion.

🍻 Dog-Friendly Pubs

Penzance has a well-earned reputation for hospitality, and much of it is dog friendly. Here are a few standouts:

The Dolphin Tavern – Right by the harbour, this classic pub serves hearty food with a nautical theme. They even have water bowls for our four-legged crew.
The Crown – A locals' pub in the heart of town. It doesn’t serve food, but they recommended a fish and chip shop up the road. Other patrons were enjoying takeaway pizza too, so it seems to be normal practice to BYO food.
The Turk’s Head – Reputedly one of the oldest pubs in Penzance, it’s full of character and charm. Dogs are welcome in the bar.
The Cornish Barn – Part of the Artist Residence Hotel, stylish yet relaxed, with a big garden that’s perfect for dogs.
The Dock – A locals' bar opposite the actual dock, where two pints cost £6.90. It’s filled with amazing memorabilia and has a friendly atmosphere.

⚓ Skipper’s Tips

Time your arrival to coincide with the lock opening; if you’re too early, you’ll be left circling outside in the bay.
Swell can build up in Mount’s Bay with westerly winds — watch the forecast carefully.
If planning onwards towards the Isles of Scilly, use Penzance as a provisioning stop. It’s one of the last big towns before heading offshore. As we were circumnavigating the other way, Penzance was a useful break to refresh and complete some much-needed boat maintenance. Pete discovered that a stud had come off the engine fitting. We were very lucky to avoid flooding the yacht.

🐾 Final Thoughts

In conclusion, Penzance is more than just a stopover. It’s a place where sailors and their dogs can enjoy the beauty of Cornwall together. So, pack your bags, grab your dog, and set sail for an unforgettable adventure. You won’t regret it!

Rating: Svea gives Penzance an 8 paw rating - 🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾.