Fishing Village of Mevagissey and peaceful Gorran Haven

The Real Cornwall

The fishing village of Mevagissey and the still-smaller haven of Gorran are the very essence of a Cornwall which has remained true to its roots and embraced change only slowly.

Both names belong to 6th century Irish missionaries. Mevagissey s labyrinth of tiny streets twist and turn past ancient dwarf dwellings of cob and slate but head nexorably for the twin harbours which are its nerve-centre, a place to watch the fishermen land their catch and mend their nets as they have since John Trewollas built the first pier in 1430.

By the 19th century, the most important catch was pilchard, some 40-million a year of which were salted in special cellars you can still see and packed into barrels for export to France and Italy.

Earlier still, some of the crew doubled as smugglers or privateers, but today their secondary role is to introduce visitors to inshore fishing for mackerel or deep-sea shark-hunts. The full range of fish in local waters can be seen at the Aquarium, converted from the old lifeboat house.

Mevagissey is renowned for the soaring, switchback walks that whet the appetite for its seafood or help to work it off. From Polkirt Hill you can look out over the higgledy Mediaeval street plan, the fishing boats in the harbour and the yachts in the pool, to the golden sweep of Polstreath Beach and St Austell Bay or south to the inlet that shelters Portmellon Beach and the scenic coast path over Chapel Point to Gorran Haven.

Less than three miles separate the two, but the contrast is sharp. Mevagissey is a working harbour, Gorran Haven a small picturesque anchorage, dozing on its sandy beach in the lee of the spectacular 400 foot high Dodman Point. Good swimming and snorkelling are its assets with, for sailors, a protective hard. Visit the distinctive landmark of its 15th century church with 110-foot tower or simply enjoy the quiet and privacy.

Things to see and do:

• The Old Pilchard Cellars
• The Aquarium
• The 15th Century Church at Gorran
• The View From Polkirt Hill
• Offshore Gig Racing
• Mevagissey Museum
• The Lost Gardens Of Heligan
• Mevagissey Feast Week -
• June St Goran Carnival
• Walk the Cornwall Coastal Footpath To Pentewan Or Dodman Point Fish
• For Shark, Conger Or Mackerel Visit The Beaches At Polstreath, Portmellon And Gorran
• Hire A Boat To Explore The Coastline
• Visit Caerhays Castle And Gardens (Open Spring Only)
• Listen To Traditional Jazz Or Folk In The Local Pubs
• Visit Polmassick Vineyard Near St Ewe Cornwall s Most Established Vineyard
• Enjoy The Continental Atmosphere Of A Summer Evening Stroll Around Mevagissey When Many Of The Shops And Cafes Are Open
• Summer Ferry Service to Fowey 1 May - 30 Sep