I live in Bedfordshire, in the heart of market gardening/flower nursery country, so I do know what you mean. We've always had migrant labour of one sort or another. I've never felt threatened, though. Bad of me, I was being a little flippant about the day trippers, I suppose I was trying to make the point that one shouldn't jump to conclusions.

Just to reiterate - I have stayed in Penzance on my own (lone female) and have always felt safe and welcome. I think it is about being polite to people in the first place and then using a bit of common sense, such as using taxis after dark. I'm coming back to Cornwall in May and I am really looking forward to another holiday in my favourite county.

Even my small, country market town has its share of immigrants, mainly of Balkan origin, and mostly people who have left their homelands to try to improve their lives by doing work that none of us lot would even consider doing. But when you come from a country where you have nothing, anything has got to be better.

JLH22, I too will be back in May, and hopefully again in July.

GB, I know our opinions have differed in the past, but on this occasion I agree with you completely.

Having spent last week I Penzance, I have mixed feelings about the place. It is a working town, NOT a tourist attraction like St Ives. This means that the pubs/restaurants/shops have to cater for everyone, not just tourists. This explains the rather jumbled selection of shops, including a huge Sports Direct and a rather poor attempt at a shopping centre. Overall we were made to feel welcome by everyone we met and at no stage felt threatened by the local teenagers or migrant workers. Not sure I would rush to return though, as there wasn't a whole lot to do although it is out of season.

It takes time to get to know Penzance. It is one of the safest places in England (take a look at the actual figures) It is however not a pretty tourist trap but a real town. It has an active social scene that puts places like St Ives with all it's second homes to shame. It has quirky interesting shops & cafe's, great pubs (If you avoid the main street) a bracing front to walk along, a great museum, some superb Georgian buildings thriving art scene and good transport links which make it one of the best places to base a visit to West Cornwall.

To sum up .... for beaches, views and scented candles try St Ives ... for culture, history & an social scene try Penzance.

Avoiding the "main street" is good advice under most circumstances whether your're in London, Paris, or Penzance. ;)

I love the shops on Chapel Street and the Turks Head is probably my all time favorite pub.

The chain pub on Market Jew St (Alverton?), not so much.

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You think the Council will listen to us? Have you not SEEN the Sainsbury's?

Why, whats wrong with it? Last time I drove past it was under construction a couple of weeks ago, so I doubt many people reading this will have seen it yet.