Mousehole is Cornwall at its absolute best and is fast becoming one of its most popular destinations. It’s obvious to see why when you arrive at this impossibly pretty fishing village.

The Welsh poet Dylan Thomas described Mousehole as “the loveliest village in England”. Pronounced ‘Mowzel’, the picturesque fishing village is just a few miles west of Penzance. It was attacked by Spaniard, Carlos de Amésquit, in July 1595 and apart from one house, the entire village was burnt to the ground. After burning the town of Mousehole, Amésquita and his men embarked on their galleys and sailed for two miles, after which they disembarked again, conquered and burned the fort of Penzance down, Newlyn, and Paul.

While being the epitome of Cornish culture, Mousehole is notorious for its historic roots. To celebrate Mouseholes importance to Cornwall, it noteworthy that Mousehole is home to potentially the oldest pier in Cornwall – dating back to as early as 1266. Mousehole is also known for being the home of Dolly Pentreath, the last woman known to speak Cornish as her first language. A little-known fact is that Dolly was actually from the parish of Paul (which historically included Mousehole) and a year after she died in 1777, Daines Barrington received a letter, written in Cornish and accompanied by an English translation, from a fisherman in Mousehole named William Bodinar stating that he knew of five people who could speak Cornish in that village alone. Barrington also speaks of a John Nancarrow from Marazion who was a native speaker and survived into the 1790s.

MOUSEHOLE HARBOUR - The small patch of sand at the western end of the idyllic Mousehole harbour is not an obvious beach destination, but it can be a great family spot when it's not too busy. The town and harbour wall shelters you from the wind, while the sea in the harbour is safe to swim in and warmer than beyond the wall. In early November of each year, timber beams are laid across the entrance to the harbour, in order to protect the village from the worst of the winter storms. On a strong southerly wind waves can still be seen breaking over the harbour wall at high tide.

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MOUSEHOLE LIGHTS - Mousehole is at its best over Christmas when the village pulls out all the stops with a beautiful Christmas lights display, switched on a couple of weeks before the 25^th with ceremony and celebration. They remain on, from 5pm until 11pm each evening, until the end of the first week of the New Year except for one hour, on the anniversary of the Penlee Lifeboat tragedy when they are turned off as a mark of respect to the 8 crew who died whilst trying to rescue the crew of the Union Star off Lamorna.

TOM BAWCOCK'S EVE - Mousehole was once very short of food in the 16^th century after storms stopped the local fishing boats from leaving the small fishing harbour. This went on until the day before Christmas Eve, when Tom Bawcock decided to brave the stormy seas and take his boat out to fish. He landed a huge catch of fish despite the story and battled his way back to the harbour, where the villagers of Mousehole warmly greeted him. The people were so hungry that they placed the fish they caught whole into a pie, with the heads and tails sticking out through the crust. This is the famous “Starry Gazey Pie”. The people of Mousehole hold a special celebration on 23^rd December every year with a special serving of Starry Gazey Pie in the Ship Inn and lantern processions.

GOOD FRIDAY WALK - In Mousehole and the surrounding area it is a tradition to go for a ‘special’ walk on Good Friday. This tradition started many years ago when the majority of the local population would walk to either St Michaels Mount or Lamorna in the hope of finding a husband or wife. After arriving in Lamorna, people would enjoy the scenery of the cove and have picnics. Some would also go with their friends to a local pub called the Lamorna Wink. If you find a pub in Cornwall called a “wink”, this means it was once an unlicensed beer shop and often a place where people sold smuggled goods. The “wink” name comes from the fact that if you wanted some of the smuggled goods, perhaps brandy or tobacco, you would secretly wink at the landlord, who would then know what you wanted. People still walk to Lamorna every Good Friday and the cliff pathway around the bay is still full of people enjoying the Easter holiday.

SEA, SALTS & SAIL - Mousehole’s biennial Sea Salts and Sail Festival revives old traditions and celebrates the heritage of West Cornwall's most famous fishing village, providing a day out for all the family. From the Friday afternoon, scores of historic and classic vessels start to appear on the horizon and then gradually assemble in and around the picturesque harbour, often rafted several deep. Local bands provide live music throughout the festival and there is a well-stocked food and beverage tent. Sea Salts and sail is very much a family festival, so there’s plenty of entertainment for the kids. There’s poetry, storytelling, wood and stone-carving to keep the children entertained.

SHOPPING

There’s a few galleries and gift shops to have a wander around. Your closest convenience shop is now the Co-Op in Newlyn.

EATING

You’ll be spoiled for choice for places to go in Mousehole. From the Ship Inn that was a favourite of Dylan Thomas, to the Old Coastguard with their board games and ‘Hole Foods Deli with views over the harbour. 

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