Among all the pretty touristic towns and villages of West Cornwall, Newlyn feels the most authentic. It remains one of the biggest fishing fleets in the UK and as such gives a unique insight into a proper Cornish fishing port.
Sleeps 4
The gorgeous Lulyn is full of character and style, set in the heart of Newlyn. Add incredible sea views and Mediterranean gardens and what's not to love in this perfect Cornish fisherman's cottage.
Newlyn is a stone’s throw away from Penzance and is walking distance to Mousehole. Among all of the pretty tourist towns and villages of West Cornwall Newlyn has an edge and feels the most real as it one of the country's largest fishing fleets. Its streets are quaint and have many old houses crammed down traffic free lanes, but it’s the port that gives it its character and the August Bank Holiday fish festival is not to be missed.
Even though it is only a small fishing town Newlyn is the hub for auctioning fish off to buyers from restaurants all over Cornwall and Europe and even once had a major role in maintaining and recording Britain’s sea level.
Newlyn is an authentic Cornish fishing town with plenty of character and rich in history. In the 16th century the port was sacked and torched by a Spanish raiding party. It was then rebuilt and today very little of old Newlyn remains. Many of the old white painted or stone-faced granite cottages were only saved from demolition by the outbreak of the Second World War. In the 1800s a number of artists moved to the town and formed an artist’s colony. The painters of Newlyn came to be known as the Newlyn School.
WHERRYTOWN BEACH - a large pebble beach between Penzance and Newlyn. Clean, safe swimming and easy access from the promenade, great for a morning run or dog walking.
PENZANCE - We don't tend to think of Penzance as a beach, but under the promenade wall there's a beach during much of the day, and its darker sand means that the sea often feels a touch warmer. There's good swimming off Battery Rocks behind the lido Jubilee Pool), and people meet there early every morning to swim to decorated markers out in the bay.
MOUSEHOLE - 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.
GALLERIES - Newlyn is famed for its art and is lucky enough to have a few galleries. The Newlyn School of Art was formed by Stanhope Forbes and Walter Langley who started the British plein air movement and included Henry Scott Tuke, many of whose works are now in the Tate Britain collection. You can even take a variety of different short courses, The Newlyn school of art covers everything from coastal landscapes to modern portraits and abstract work. Newlyn Art Gallery often hosts events, exhibitions and workshops as well as having a great café with views stretching across to St Michaels Mount.
Newlyn Art Gallery is also a great place to start a coastal walk. Head towards the harbour before joining the coastal path which leads all the way to Mousehole. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants to stop off for lunch once you get there. Alternatively, head the other way across the promenade to Marazion.
NEWLYN FISH FESTIVAL - Newlyn Fish Festival launched in 1991 to promote the development and sustainability of the Cornish fishing industry. It’s held on the August bank holiday each year and show cases fresh local produce along with arts and crafts, live cookery, musical and theatre events and children’s entertainment. It’s a great demonstration of how the fishing community and a fish and seafood auction works with great celebration.
NEWLYN FILMHOUSE - Opened in March 2016, Newlyn Filmhouse is an amazing independent cinema, converted from an 1876 built granite old Fish Cellar & Smokery. Partly funded by the Curzon group Newlyn Filmhouse has become a much-loved place to go for locals and visitors alike, screening the best in World Cinema, Live Events and Arthouse films. You could be forgiven for thinking you’re in central London with the fantastic bar and gorgeous interiors.
ARGOE - A fantastic option if you’re looking for good seafood and set right on the harbourside amongst it all. Their menu is designed with sharing in mind and focuses on fresh fish and organic wines.
MACKEREL SKY SEAFOOD BAR - Fantastic fish and seafood dishes and it doesn’t come much fresher than this with the dock just down the road. It’s first come first served so be prepared to queue but they do offer a takeaway option if you prefer.
JELBERTS ICE CREAM SHOP - A novel place to try is Jelberts Ice Cream shop. Having been open for 40 years Jelberts is famous for only serving one flavour – vanilla! They only make enough for the day and once it’s gone, it’s gone. The queue stretches far back on a sunny day and there’s optional clotted cream and a flake to go on top.
