With its quaint charm and pretty backstreets, Mevagissey is a wonderful location for you to book your Cornish holiday cottage. Mevagissey is a cute and quintessential Cornish fishing village on the south coast of Cornwall, with a lot to offer.
With its quaint charm and pretty backstreets, Mevagissey is a wonderful location for you to book your Cornish holiday cottage. Mevagissey is a cute and quintessential Cornish fishing village on the south coast of Cornwall, with a lot to offer. Holidaymakers like to enjoy traditional fish and chips on the harbourside, whilst watching the boats bob up and down on the water. Crabbing is also a popular activity for children and big kids too, on the harbour walls.
Falling on the trail of the south-west coast path, it is an ideal place for walkers, being only a short stroll out of the village on either side to join the path and take in some spectacular views along the coastline. In summer months, sailing boats can often be spotted cruising along on the water.
It wouldn’t be a holiday without a spot of gift shopping and Mevagissey has a delightful selection of independent shops, galleries and cafes dotted along the bunting lined street. You will also find some real pubs with a real Cornish welcome awaiting you. The Harbour Tavern is one such pub and is known for its fresh seafood and selection of locally sourced Cornish drinks, make sure to check it out while you are there.
A short drive from your self-catering holiday in Mevagissey, you can find The Lost Gardens of Heligan. These Victorian gardens were only rediscovered in the 1990s after becoming overgrown and lost to nature. Volunteers have been working ever since to restore the gardens to their former glory and they include a jungle, a kitchen garden and wildflower meadows. If you enjoy gardens, then Pinetum Gardens just outside Charlestown is also a great place to spend an afternoon.
Spending time on the beach is always high on a Cornish holiday agenda and Mevagissey and its surrounding areas have some lovely ones to choose from. Mevagissey’s own beach is around a quarter of a mile along the coast path and has 200 steps to descend down but is pretty and sheltered. Other beaches nearby include Pentewan Beach, Portmellon Beach and Gorran Haven Beach. Gorran Haven has a wonderful village beach vibe, quiet and away from a lot of the crowds, this beach is brilliant for a lazy family day out and has places to get lunch too.
This south coast is steeped in history and a visit to Wheal Martyn Clay Works gives an insight into Cornwall’s past. Poldark fans will be familiar with the harbour village of Charlestown which is slightly east of Mevagissey. Charlestown is a small harbour and has regularly been used as a filming location for one of TV’s favourite programs.
In all, your Mevagissey holiday cottage will not disappoint and you will be returning again and again.
If you want a taste of the real Cornwall, with handy places to visit nearby, then Meva may be just right for you.
For a touch of Cornish authenticity, Mevagissey remains a working harbour (74 boats at the last count) with a rich history. It was once the centre of the pilchard industry; many of the houses in the village are built of traditional cob and slate. Surprisingly, it even has its own beach, just north of the village along the coastal path, with more just around the corner.
The centre of the village has narrow streets, so many people use the car park on the way in, making life easier for everyone. However, there is also some parking right on the harbour. Meva remains a little less-upmarket (but perhaps more earthy) than Fowey with its sailing fraternity, but of course, there is a ferry across the bay to Fowey, so you can each town to enjoy the best of both worlds.
The harbour area is idyllic, and children will enjoy fishing or crabbing. It is a wonderful place for out of season visits by adults. Keen fishing folk will spend hours sat on the outer harbour wall in order to catch mackerel.
So, what is the big attraction of Meva? Complementing the traditional fishing village feel, it has excellent walks along the coastal path and inland. The walks are not as tricky as in some parts of Cornwall. Clear water below the coast path helps you to see the natural world, rocks rich with kelp and jellyfish. Wildflowers line the paths during springtime and early summer, while there is also a chance to go bird spotting all year round. Look out for oyster catchers, cormorants and of course, gulls. Definitely take a camera.
If you tire of the harbour, the waves and the gulls (is that even possible?) then take a trip out. St Austell, with its cool market-place is 12 minutes away by car, while the compact but charming city of Truro (with its magnificent cathedral) is 30 minutes. 50 minutes away is the university town of Falmouth which has a real buzz to it, with good shopping.
Families might like to hire bikes in Pentewan Woods where there is a stream to cycle alongside. In Meva itself, the aquarium, an educational/awareness charity project based in an old lifeboat building, offers free entry.
Fishing trips are offered on mackerel boats, where you can catch your own dinner. You are also close to the Lost Gardens of Heligan (behind the village) The Eden Project, and to historic Charlestown. Or maybe drive out to see the charming coves of the Roseland Peninsula.
Mevagissey Feast Week has been celebrated since 1754. This wonderful community event is open to visitors, taking place in June/July. There are plentiful food options all year round. For delicious, very locally-sourced food, try the laid back, small and intimate Salamander. For fish, mussels and for those with food-intolerances, Number 5 is recommended. They also offer cakes and scones during day time and are situated right in the village. For a warm welcome in a cosy inn, try The Fountain Inn with a selection of ales and pub food.
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