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Chat about Beer of the Week (w/e 21 Mar 2010) with Conrad on the Pub Forum

Image posted by Roger Button
Submitted on Sunday, 27^th December 2009
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Turks Head Inn

Chapel Street
Penzance
TR18 4AF

Correct details

Phone: Search Yell

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Recommendations

Average Rating: 8.5 average rating

This quaint pub is situated down an attractive road running away from the town centre and is the town's oldest pub dating back to 1233. It was also the first pub in the country to carry the name Turks Head. A Spanish invasion in 1595 put paid to much of the original pub (as well as the Union Hotel a few doors up the road) and the current building is more 16th/17th century in appearance. The central doorway leads straight to the main bar, a warm and comfortable carpeted room with plenty of brass and copper nick nacks, trays, bedwarmers and a collection of tankards and water jugs. A brick fireplace in the corner has one of the old pub signs above it as an eyecatching centerpiece. To the right behind the bar is a neat and tidy room that appears to be used more for dining. A corridor to the left of the bar leads to a pleasant beer garden and the wall displays include another of the old pub signs and a collection of old Bank notes and coins. There is also a staircase down to a dungeonlike cellar bar (it was closed on my visit but I sneaked down for a peek) and there are apparently the remains of some old smugglers tunnels that run underneath the building as well as some priest holes. The general atmosphere is quite relaxing and having had only 3 landlords in the past 100 years, you can expect a good level of consistency regarding service and general ambience. 3 decent enough ales on my visit (Doom Bar, Sharps Own and Betty Stoggs + a further pump unused) and we also had a relatively inexpensive but good quality meal following a recommendation. Overall this is certainly one of the best pubs in town and somewhere away from the more unruly pubs that the town centre offers.

Reviewed by Roger Button on 6^th April 2009 - 7 star rating

[User has posted 535 recommendations]

Could not agree more, excellent pub.

Reviewed by Peter Bailey on 21^st July 2007 - no rating submitted

[User has posted 3 recommendations]

Probably the best pub in Cornwall. Good selection of real ales, including guest beer. A very wide selection of good food at reasonable prices. The ideal combination of food and drinks.
For the benefit of us smokers, there is a spacious beer garden with canopy, umberellas and heaters.

Reviewed by Tony Butler on 6^th July 2007 - 10 star rating