Fishing has played a vital role in Cornwall’s economy for centuries and the many fishing villages scattered around its coastline are a tribute to this fishing history. From the lovely Port Isaac on the north coast to the charming Mousehole on the south, each of Cornwall’s fishing villages has it’s own charm. Here we have pulled together our favourites for you to check out on your next visit…
Port Isaac
This picturesque little fishing village is made up of cute narrow streets, lined with slate and granite cottages, a stunning shingle beach and one of the prettiest harbours you will see. Port Isaac has been brought to public attention recently as it was used as the location for the British comedy film, Saving Grace and is also home to the famous sea shanty singers Fisherman’s Friends. Every Friday evening during the summer, at 8pm, the group perform a concert from the harbour, which anyone is welcome to come and watch. Port Isaac has been a working fishing village since the 14th century and today you will still see fishing boats in the harbour. It is also possible to take fishing trips from the harbour, as well as some great sightseeing tours. You can stay in one of the many charming Port Isaac cottages that are available throughout the year.
Rock
Sometimes dubbed Britain’s St Tropez for its popularity with the rich and famous, Rock is both quaint Cornish fishing town and trendy beach hang-out. It’s sports heaven for those who like adventure sports such as surfing, windsurfing and sailing – all are possible near by. Its mild climate make al fresco dining very popular here, and there are some fantastic restaurants, reflecting the pockets of the people who come to hang out here. The town itself is very pretty and the scenery surrounding is everything you would hope for from what was once just a small Cornish fishing village. When it comes to Rock holidays, there’s a great selection of beautiful self-catering cottages and apartments to choose from, just have a look online.
Mousehole
Dylan Thomas once described Mousehole as the loveliest village in England and once you’ve visited you’ll have no trouble seeing why. Mousehole is made up of winding narrow streets and tiny granite cottages that hark back to simpler times. Located between Lands End and Penzance, it is still home to a working harbour and small wooden fishing boats still line the quay today. Adding to the romantic feel of the place, in early November each year, timber beams are placed across the harbour to protect it from the winter storms, in a tradition that dates back centuries.
Cadgwith
Nestled on the south coast between the Lizard and Coverack is Cadgwith. It’s an enchanting fishing village dating back to medieval times, when it was just a collection of fish cellars hidden in a coastal valley, with good protection from southwesterly winds. Today its fishing heart remains and there are still many small fishing boats gathered in the harbour, as well as being a popular start off spot for deep-sea dives to its nearby wrecks – The Craggan and The Boa. The Cadgwith Cove Inn is certainly worth a visit and will give you a sure sense of the village’s history, as the pub itself is thought to be up to 400 years old.
These are a few of our favourite historic fishing villages in Cornwall, but it’s worth remembering that there are many more. And as always with Cornwall, it’s never a case of seen one seen them all– each has it’s own distinctive charm and intriguing story. So get out there! And see for yourself…
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
