Mousehole, Cornwall

We recently spent a very pleasant week in the West Country, basing ourselves in Mousehole, a small, former fishing village situated about 3 miles beyond Penzance along Mounts Bay in a westerly direction. Our home for the week was a bungalow at the top of the village with fine views across the bay. Although it was not particularly warm, the weather was mostly dry and perfect for the type of things that we like doing.

Pronounced “Mowzel”, the name for the village is believed, by some, to have originated from the very large cave to be found a few hundred yards along the coast from the harbour. This may or may not be the case, but there is, nevertheless, still much interest in the origin of the name. Looking down over the village we had a good view of the rocky outcrop of St Clement's Isle where it is said that a hermit used to live.

The harbour is almost circular, and is protected from the rough seas by two sturdy breakwaters. The entrance is sometimes closed by wooden beams to keep the force of the sea at bay and to protect the village. There are still a few fishing boats working from here, but mostly you will find pleasure craft.

The view across the bay gives a fine sighting of the castle of St Michael’s Mount. Differing weather conditions create quite different moods, but always there is an air of mystery.

It was in Mousehole that Dolly Pentreath lived some 200 years ago, and said to be the last person to speak the Cornish language as her natural tongue. There is a memorial to her in the churchyard at Paul, a small village just above Mousehole. Although we went through this village most days, I confess to having not seen it. Although it is reckoned that the Cornish language is making a comeback, I can’t say I heard anything of it. Not like being in Wales!

The way down to the harbour took you through narrow winding streets past the many small former fishing family cottages. Many now seem to be holiday lets, or else second homes to wealthy town dwellers. Thomas Dylan (1930) described Mousehole as “the loveliest village in England”, a title that remains true to the present day.

More pictures of Mousehole can be viewed in my galleries.