Mevagissey
LannvorekA traditional Cornish fishing village
Mevagissey was once home to smugglers & pirates. Still boasting a working harbour, at one point Mevagissey was once the centre of Cornwall’s pilchard fishery and boat building dating back to the 1700s. Some 40 million pilchards a year of which were salted in special cellars you can still see and packed into barrels for export to France and Italy.
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Mevagissey
Narrow streets and steep valley sides lead down to the centre of the old Mevagissey where the distinctive twin harbour provides a safe haven for the many fishing boats that land their daily catch of skate, lobster, plaice and sole. In typical picture postcard style, pubs, cafes, galleries and shops cluster around the harbour walls and line the pretty streets.
Named after two Irish saints, St Meva and St Issey, the village dates back to at least 1313 and during the 1800s Mevagissey prospered onthe back of the abundant source of pilchards out to sea. Around the maze of streets you’ll find plenty of seafood restaurants that the village is renowned for and there is nothing more sublimely Cornish than tucking into some local scallops and mackerel.
Cycle, swim or walk
Swim at Gorran Haven a few miles from the village. One of the most attractive places to take a dip, the beach here is secluded below high cliffs and shelters in a narrow gorge that heads down from the lush south coast countryside.
Cycle or walk on the Pentewan trail. An easy going 5 mile round trip from the beach at Pentewan to the village of London Apprentice and back. The trail runs along the bed of an old narrow gauge railway which once took clay and tin ore to the harbour at Pentewan until it silted up and the railway ceased operation in 1916.
Feast Week
Each year at the end of June, Mevagissey celebrates Feast Week, a week of family fun, music, and floral dances through the streets. At the end of the week there is a carnival and a fireworks display.
Mevagissey is within the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) which along with National Parks, are considered to be the most special landscapes in the country and belong to an international family of protected areas. It is a designation aimed at conserving and enhancing the natural beauty of the area.
Plan your trip
Everything you need to know to plan your perfect trip to St Ives
The M4, M5 and M6 motorways have made travel to Cornwall simple and straightforward, while within Cornwall itself, the A30 and A38 continue to improve with fast dual carriageways. Follow the M5 to Exeter, and join the A30 and then take the A391 to St Austell (just past Bodmin). Once in St Austell, follow signs to the join the B3273 signposted for Mevagissey.
Willow Car & Coach park is clearly visible on the left-hand side as you approach Mevagissey via the main road. This is the best car park to head for and then walk into the village due to the naroow streets.
National Express serves Cornwall from destinations throughout the UK. Connecting services to Cornwall are available from Bristol, Birmingham and London. The nearest coach stop to Mevagissey is St Austell. From here you can pick up a local bus or taxi.
Great Western Railways operate high speed services from London Paddington, South Wales and the Cotswolds to Cornwall, including sleeper services from London Paddington. Cross Country Trains (Arriva Trains) operate services into Cornwall from the Midlands, the North and Scotland. The nearest train station to Mevagissey is St Austell. From here you can pick up a local bus or taxi.
The main appeal is the working harbour nestled on an unspoilt coastline. Walkers and day trippers delight in the narrow streets and the beautiful views from the harbour.
A medieval quay was first established in 1430 to give some protection to the seine fishing boats. By the 1770s the trade had grown so much and the quay had fallen into disrepair that it was felt necessary to provide greater protection for the fishing fleet and the village.
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