Mousehole
The Town
When it comes to a West Country property search, Cornwall is a perennial favourite, whether you’re a property buyer or a property buying agent. Instruct your real estate buyers agent to seek out appealing coastal villages, and they may well suggest Mousehole (often pronounced “Mowzel”, by the way, not Mouse-hole!).
Ask our buyers agents for directions: Mousehole lies between Land’s End and Penzance, and west of Newlyn – our property search company can help determine if this is still the biggest fishing port in the West Country.
Our property buying agent will happily introduce the “olde worlde” charm and narrow streets. The pretty granite houses, adorned with yellow lichen, which our Recoco property finder can show you on your property search, are very distinctive.
Check with your Recoco property finder on the protective measures to cushion the village from the worst winter sea gales; each November timber beams are placed over the narrow harbour entrance.
Transport
Planning a property search by car? The nearest main road is the B3315; the larger and busier A30 is a few miles away. Village roads are extremely narrow, with very limited parking, as our Recoco property finder can attest. Ask our property search company about the regular bus service between Mousehole and Penzance, the nearest railway station.
History
Mousehole was first mentioned in 1283, and our real estate buyers agent may mention that the location owes its historical wealth to the fishing industry. Records show exports of pilchards to France from 1302. Together with Marazion, Mousehole was known as one of the main ports in Mount’s Bay until the 16th century, known for its markets and fairs.
If you’re a property buyer with an interest in history, ask our Recoco buying agent for details of summer 1595. Mousehole was sacked by the Spaniards and the entire village was burned to the ground – except for one house, then known as the ‘Keigwin Arms’. Ask your property buying agent to show you the plaque telling how Squire Jenkyn Keigwin was killed on 23 July 1595, defending the place.
Some fishing boats still sail from the harbour, although as our buyers agents will tell you, the industry has declined.
Education
There is one primary school in Mousehole. Nearby state secondary schools include Humphry Davy School in Penzance, while some of the nearest independent schools are St Piran’s in Hayle and Truro Preparatory School.
Leisure and Events
Any property buyer in Cornwall is likely to encounter at least one or two festivals. Our buyers agents can tell you of Tom Bawcock’s Eve, December 23rd, which celebrates the end of a 16th-century famine thanks to the aforesaid Mr. Bawcock. The origin of Star Gazey Pie is also associated with this festival. Every two years, conditions permitting, the village also holds the ‘Sea, Salt and Sail’ maritime festival.
In the area late in the year? The Christmas lights in the village are some of the prettiest in Cornwall; you can even take helicopter flights from Penzance to see them from the sky. (They’re turned off on the 19th of December to commemorate the 1981 Penlee Lifeboat disaster.)
On the road between Lamorna and Mousehole lies the independent charity, The Mousehole Wild Bird Hospital. The area is also very popular with walkers: ask our Recoco buying agent about the coastal path to Lamorna Cove.
Celebrity Connections
Welsh poet Dylan Thomas was very taken with Mousehole; it still appeals to contemporary authors and artists, as our Recoco buying agent can tell you. These include illustrator and writer Michelle Cartlidge and artist Jack Pender. Antonia Barber’s children’s tale The Mousehole Cat, illustrated by Nicola Bayley, is set here; it’s based on the tale of Tom Bawcock.
Foodies’ Corner
Cornwall is known for first-class food and resourceful recipes. Ask our real estate buyers agent about star gazey pie, a mixed potato, egg, and fish pie with fish heads artistically arranged in the pastry. It’s also sometimes called starry gazey pie, stargazy pie, and other variants. For a little 1940s nostalgia, you’ll find it at Four Teas Café (go on, say it aloud). Or try a Cornish cream tea from Jessies Dairy, whip up a picnic with the help of Hole Foods Deli, indulge in a light bite at the Rock Pool Café, or enjoy the harbour view from 2 Fore Street.
Fun Fact
The last person to speak only Cornish (reputedly) lived in Mousehole – her name was Dolly Pentreath. (She was actually from Paul, which, as our property search company can confirm, historically included Mousehole.)