Holiday rentals in Mousehole

Mousehole is as cute and perfectly formed as its name might imply. This fishing village, located on the south coast of Cornwall between Penzance and Land’s End, has been transformed in recent years from a working harbour (it was once Cornwall’s busiest pilchard port) to a tourist must-see, combining bracing coastal walks with stunning ocean vistas and fabulous cuisine from a number of new bistros and eateries, plus the delights of surfing nearby.

Mousehole has retained its original character, featuring lichen-coloured fishermen’s cottages and steeply winding streets dotted with independent shops and galleries. There’s a small but lovely beach in a sheltered part of the harbour that’s perfect for families or to enjoy a picnic supplied from one of the fine delis in the town. Though it’s a great place to visit in the summer months, the town is also famous for its Christmas illuminations, centred on Tom Bawcock’s Eve on December 23rd, a community party where a huge fish pie is baked and consumed quayside.

You may very well feel like a tinned pilchard if you visit the town during the high season summer months, when the narrow streets and quayside are cramped. In May, June, and September, you’ll enjoy fine weather and slightly more deserted streets. The sea has a certain dramatic quality if you take to the coastal trails during the winter months. But there’s plenty going on in Mousehole throughout the year. Christmas is a particularly special time with the town illuminations and the Tom Bawcock festival, but there’s also the Sea, Salts and Sail festival in July, which combines great food, live music, and boating action.

Sennen Cove

Believe it or not, some of the finest surfing on the planet can be found in Cornwall. Just a few miles outside Mousehole you’ll come across Sennen and the accompanying spots of Whitsand Bay and Gwenver, teeming with Atlantic swells that can rival the more famous breaks on the north coast. If you’re looking for some pointers, there’s a local surf school in the area, plus bars and restaurants for that all-important apres-surf.

Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens

Situated in a beautiful valley overlooking St Michael’s Mount, these serene, flowing gardens combine exotic plants (the microclimate helps them flourish), breathtaking scenery, and a programme of contemporary, site-specific sculpture and art. It’s a wonderful place for a wander, followed by a slap-up Cornish cream tea.

Walk to Lamorna

There are some top walks and trails in this region, but one of the most popular is this glorious route from Mousehole to Lamorna Cove and back. It takes you through a number of nature reserves and beautiful countryside before heading along the coast with amazing views of Kemyel Point, Carn Du, and St Michael’s Mount. Take some sturdy footwear and waterproofs, just in case.