Mousehole

Mousehole (pronounced “Mowzul”) is a granite-built fishing village 3 miles south of Penzance, arranged around a small harbour protected by a 14th-century breakwater. The harbour dries at low tide, leaving fishing boats resting on the sand. Narrow lanes lead uphill from the quay past cottages built from local stone, many dating to the 17th and 18th centuries. The village was largely destroyed by a Spanish raid in 1595 and rebuilt over the following decades.

Each December, Mousehole draws visitors for its harbour light display and the Tom Bawcock’s Eve celebration on 23 December, when a large stargazy pie - with fish heads poking through the pastry - is baked and served at the Ship Inn. The Mousehole Wild Bird Hospital, founded in 1928, operates year-round and is open to visitors. A couple of art galleries, a handful of restaurants, and the Rock Pool cafe on the harbour wall round out the village’s amenities.

The South West Coast Path passes through Mousehole, connecting it to Lamorna Cove (2 miles west) and Newlyn (1.5 miles east). Parking is limited in the village itself - a pay-and-display car park sits at the top of the hill, about a 5-minute walk from the harbour. Bus route 6 links Mousehole to Penzance every 30 minutes during summer.

Where to Stay

Two self-catering options within the village are worth noting. Berlewen is a three-bedroom apartment sleeping 6 with two bathrooms, sea views, a wood burner, and an open fire - 100 metres from the harbour beach and dog-friendly. For smaller groups, Driftwood Cottage Mousehole is a two-bedroom granite cottage sleeping 4, 200 metres from the harbour beach, with an enclosed rear garden, BBQ, and parking included; up to 2 dogs are welcome.