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A fishing life...

Holiday Cottages in Mevagissey

Tucked into a craggy hillside on Cornwall’s undulating south coast, the fishing village of Mevagissey is a bustling tangle of narrow streets, shops and cafes. With some parts of the village dating back to the 1700s, the pilchard fishing trade supported life here for generations – and the harbour is still active today. Mevagissey – “Meva” to the locals – is also home to an abundance of art galleries, with the picturesque harbour and the surrounding sea cliffs providing inspiration to artists from all over the UK. Whether you want to stroll along the pier with an ice cream, spend a day out on the water paddleboarding, or amble over the cliffs to the nearby sweeping expanse of Pentewan Sands, booking a stay in Mevagissey is the best way to enjoy a Cornish holiday cottage experience.

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The Mevagissey guide

Mevagissey harbour, boats, Forever Cornwall

Quaint cafes and craft shops

Getting lost in among the winding streets of Mevagissey is the perfect way to spend any afternoon, come rain or come shine. There are countless side streets with quirky little shops galore, and a good few antique and second hand shops for finding hidden treasures too. If you’re an art lover, or simply appreciate crafts such as felting, stained glass or sculpture, there’s plenty to appreciate with Mevagissey’s bustling arts scene. And after all that retail therapy, you’re never more than a few yards from a pasty, a refreshing G&T, or a cafe stop. The world is your oyster – and you can have those too if you like!

Vault beach, Roseland, Forever Cornwall

Gorgeous coastal walks with hidden bays

Just a few hundred meters away up the cliffs, the hustle and bustle of Mevagissey melts away. The coastal footpaths will take you on a meandering journey above the sea and towards some stunning beaches. With plenty of wildlife around, make sure you keep your eyes open for coastal plants and birds such as kites and peregrines. In the early summer, the air will be scented with coconut due to the abundance of flowering gorse. You can tackle as much or as little  of the well maintained paths as you like–plan a long hike, or simply wander up the cliffs with a book for the afternoon.

Dolphin Cornwall

Sea tours, ferry rides and fishing charters

There’s more than one way to explore the coastal beauty surrounding Mevagissey – why not book a boat trip and really get a feel for this patch of stunning coastline? If you’re not much of a water-lover but still want to get out and about, there’s a leisurely passenger ferry along the coast and up the river to Fowey which takes 40 minutes each way. But if you’re up for more of an adventure, Mevagissey’s sea tour RIB experience could be for you. You’ll be whisked away at 38 knots in a huge RIB to search for dolphins and porpoises, and you’ll certainly see seals and seabirds galore. The other option is to book a sea charter for an all-day mackerel fishing trip, where you’ll get to cook and eat your catch aboard. It’s definitely worth taking a step away from dry land for half a day or so, and Mevagissey harbour offers an abundance of ways to get out on the water. 

Beaches
Vault beach, Roseland, Forever Cornwall

Vault Beach

Slightly off the beaten track, this stretch of sandy beach is still yet to be discovered by the masses. Access to the beach can be quite tricky, but it’s well worth the scramble. We recommend staying towards the north end of the beach, as the other side is frequented by naturists (unless you were looking for a skinny dip of course). This hidden gem is just a 15 minute drive from Mevagissey, and you can park at the car here.

Porthpean Mevagissey Forever Cornwall

Porthpean

Porthpean is a narrow golden beach 15 minutes away by car from Mevagissey. It’s perfect for swimming and snorkelling due to the clear waters and abundance of sea life around the rocky perimeters. Although Porthpean is popular with local sailing clubs and the nearby outdoor centre, it’s perhaps the least busy of the beaches in the area. With the carpark a short walk away rather than being right on the beachfront, it’s a lovely spot to sit and read. In the summer months, there’s a cafe and WC available too. 

Gorran Haven Mevagissey Forever Cornwall

Gorran Haven

Gorran Haven beach is a thick crescent of sand right in front of the quaint village of Gorran Haven, just around the corner from Mevagissey. The fishing trade here has mostly been relocated, meaning the safe waters of the harbour are great for swimming without the fear of commercial vessels. The pier is a popular spot for local kids to jump off at high tide, and you’ll catch a few people fishing there too. Being right in front of the village, there are lots of options for refreshments including pub grub and pasties, not to mention stacks of local ice cream. If you’re a keen artist, bring your easel as the colours of the little boats reflected in the water really are something else on a bright day. 

Food & Drink
Harbour Tavern Mevagissey Cornwall

The Harbour Tavern

Right in the middle of the quay front, the Harbour Tavern is a classic-looking pub serving not-so-classic pub food. Among the usual fare of fish and chips, the Harbour Tavern has an extensive Cornish-inspired tapas menu, making use of the freshest, locally caught fish that comes in each day. They also have their own woodfired pizzas, which are available to takeaway should you struggle to find space to sit-in. The Harbour Tavern has a first-come-first-serve policy rather than a booking service, so come before or after peak times to avoid disappointment. 

The Fish Grill & More

On first impressions, the Fish Grill & More looks like a standard fish and chip vendor on the quayside. But it lives up to its name, as it certainly provides more than that. Here you’ll get trays of the freshest sardines, mackerel, scallops and haddock (with chips, of course) all for a very reasonable price. Rumour has it that the fishermen themselves come here for their dinner, and if that’s not enough to convince you it’s a good idea to eat here, then we don’t know what will!

Things to do
Lost Gardens of Heligan Mevagissey Forever Cornwall

The Lost Gardens of Heligan

The story of the Lost Gardens of Heligan is a magical one, almost out of a fairytale. For decades, the garden was in a state of disrepair, lost under a blanket of brambles, bracken and overgrown woodland. Then in the 1990s, a door in a mossy wall was discovered. Inside was the echo of a once-beautiful botanical paradise. The next few years saw one of the largest restoration projects in horticultural history, with the 200 acres of grounds and gardens being brought back to its former self; full of exotic plants and rare species of rhododendrons. Today, The Lost Gardens of Heligan is a vale of tranquility, with plenty of well-kept paths and woodland to explore, both in the garden and grounds. It’s a great place for kids to run around too, with all sorts of hidden tree trunks to clamber over, and plenty of clearings to play in. Facilities include a shop, cafe and WCs. 

Forever Cornwall Charlestown

Charlestown

Charlestown is a Grade II listed, eighteenth-century harbour that’s well worth a visit! There are still old sailing ships in the harbour, giving you taste of life during the Charlestown’s heyday. It’s hardly surprising this is a popular filming location — you might recognise this from BBC’s Poldark! While you’re there, we recommend you visit the Shipwreck Treasure Museum. 

Eden Project

You will have likely seen these distinctive domed biomes before — they’re iconic! Located in an old china clay pit near St Austell, this amazing visitor attraction gives you the chance to visit the world’s exotic tropical places. A great rainy day out.