Perched above the southern end of Mousehole harbour with extraordinary views stretching across Mount's Bay, The Old Coastguard is widely regarded as one of the finest restaurants in West Cornwall - and it's not difficult to understand why. This small, beautifully run hotel and restaurant has a quiet confidence about it that speaks of a place that knows exactly what it is and does it exceptionally well.
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SIGHTSEEING
Newlyn Harbour
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Newlyn Harbour
Just a mile up the coast from Mousehole, Newlyn is one of the largest working fishing ports in England – and one of the most rewarding and authentic places to visit in the whole of West Cornwall. On a fine day, it’s close enough to reach on foot along the harbourside path, making it an effortless and genuinely memorable half-day out.
Unlike many of the villages along this stretch of coastline, Newlyn is a working, unpretentious place with real character and a life entirely its own. The fish market operates in the early mornings when the day boats come in, and several fishmongers on the quayside sell extraordinarily fresh Cornish seafood directly to the public — if you’re self-catering in luxury apartment accommodation in Mousehole, Cornwall, this is the very best place to source your evening meal.
There’s a rich cultural dimension to Newlyn too. The town gave its name to the celebrated Newlyn School of painters — late Victorian and Edwardian artists drawn here by the extraordinary quality of coastal light in this corner of Cornwall, and inspired by the working harbour life they found around them. That tradition of creativity lives on in several excellent galleries dotted around the town today, well worth exploring at a gentle pace after a morning by the water.
Newlyn is the kind of place that reminds you what Cornwall looked like before tourism arrived — and all the better for it. Bookings for gallery exhibitions and events are available directly through individual venues, and several are free to enter throughout the year.
More Nearby
Tucked right on the harbour front, 2 Fore Street is one of Mousehole's best-kept secrets - and a genuinely special place to eat. This small, intimate bistro brings a quiet French influence to the Cornish coast, with a beautiful walled garden that opens on fine days to let in the salt air and the sunshine.
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Just a short, flat walk from Polvellan Heights along the harbourside path, Mousehole's compact harbour beach is a genuine delight - and one of those understated coastal gems that guests return to again and again throughout their stay.
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