Fishing ports

Newlyn and Mousehole

Explore an ancient fishing village and Cornwall’s largest fishing port.

Fishing has shaped the culture and identity of the Penzance area for centuries. The historic village of Mousehole was once known as the ‘port of the island’, while Newlyn continues to be Cornwall’s largest fishing port today.

Wander along the quay in Mousehole and you’ll find a barometer from 1854, which was given to the village to help predict storms. While you’re here, seek out the story of the Mousehole Cat, a children’s book that reimagines the legend of fearless fisherman Tom Bawcock through the eyes of his cat.

While Mousehole started out as the key fishing port in Mount’s Bay, Newlyn’s fortunes began to change in the 16^th century with the growth of the pilchard industry. Today, more than 600 vessels land fish in the harbour each day, bringing in over 40 different species.

In this itinerary, you’ll find experiences that introduce you to the history of fishing in the area, as well as its continuing importance today.

Activity level: Easy
Duration: 4-5 days

You can mix and match from the suggested activities to create a great day out during your stay. If you were to do all the activities on this itinerary, the estimated duration is given above.

Please note: You will need to contact the venue or experience provider directly to book.

Click on each individual experience and find out more about its accessibility and public transport connections, along with an eco tip.

Create your own inspiring itinerary

If you would like to build your own itinerary, head to the Experience page. You can add your favourite experiences to a bespoke itinerary, which can be downloaded or sent to your email address. Please note: This is for inspiration purposes only and does not create a booking. You will need to contact the venue or provider directly to book.

Things to do

Newlyn

Fishing port and market

From its bustling fish market to the traditional granite cottages and the brightly coloured boats bobbing around in the harbour, there’s so much about Newlyn that feels quintessentially Cornish. Over the years, the town has also attracted artists and creators, so there are galleries and unique shops to explore too. See the Newlyn Harbour website for more inspiration.

Hook & Cook

The whole fishing adventure

Set sail for a true taste of the coast. ‘The whole adventure’ from Hook & Cook is a two-day fishing experience in Penzance. On day one, you’ll set sail from Penzance Harbour on a chartered boat for a 4hr fishing experience. On day two, you’ll learn how to prepare and cook your catch in the Hook & Cook kitchen or at your holiday let. Find out more and book your experience here.

Beryl Bikes

Pay-as-you-ride e-bikes

Discover the joy of pedal power and hop on a Beryl Bike to explore Mount’s Bay. Beryl Bikes are pay-as-you-ride e-bikes that you unlock through the Beryl app. There are pick-up points in Penzance, Newlyn, Mousehole and Marazion, so it’s the ideal way to see more of the coast without your car. Find out more here.

Sustainable Penzance

Beach clean

Do something good, feel even better. Explore the coast while taking part in a beach clean and help us to create a safer and more sustainable environment for our wildlife – all while enjoying the great outdoors and getting to meet some lovely people. Check the Sustainable Penzance Facebook page to see when they’re hosting the next beach clean at Longrock and keep an eye out for the silent disco events from Plastic Free Penzance.

Mount’s Bay Marine Group

Get involved

Mount’s Bay Marine Group is a group of volunteers dedicated to protecting the local marine environment of Mount’s Bay. They are affiliated with Cornwall Wildlife Trust. In the winter months, keep your eyes peeled for their talks, rockpool adventures and silent disco beach cleans. Find out more here.

Guided walking tour

Mousehole heritage walks

Spend the morning or afternoon exploring the charming village of Mousehole and learning about its history. Mousehole local Elaine will show you around, guiding you through the key landmarks in the village and sharing stories and folklore. If you’re keen to learn more about this quaint Cornish village, book your tour here.

Places to Eat

Newlyn

Argoe Restaurant

Making the most of its proximity to Newlyn fish market, Argoe specialises in fish, seafood and natural wines. Situated on the harbourfront of this charming town, the restaurant is an atmospheric place to try local favourites, such as John Dory and lobster (depending on the catch of the day). Book your table inside or at the counter here.

Jelbert’s Ice Cream, Newlyn

Treat yourself

Jelbert’s is an iconic ice cream shop in Newlyn, which has become famous for its clotted cream-topped ice cream, which they then stick a chocolate flake in. People travel from all over for a taste of their traditional recipe. Follow them on Instagram for updates and opening hours.

Essential Information

Places to Stay

Retreat to a cosy self-catering cottage or book a stylish hotel in the heart of town. Discover the perfect seaside stay for your winter in Cornwall.

More inspiration?

Visit out of season and step into an adventure. Explore our entire collection of inspiring itineraries and plan a great day out.

Accessibility

Many of the activities in our itineraries are accessible. Click on each individual experience to find out more about its accessibility. We advise that you contact the venue or experience provider in advance to confirm. You can also find information about accessible venues through Access Cornwall.

Local knowledge

Enjoy updates from local experts and find information about upcoming events.

Getting around

Discover the many ways you can get out there and explore without relying on your car.

Positive impact

We’re hoping to make every stay as sustainable as possible. Find out more here.

Itinerary last updated on March 10th, 2023

This listing has been curated by the EXPERIENCE West Cornwall team and was correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. We advise that you contact the venue or provider directly to confirm any seasonal opening details and to book the experience.