Cornwall is a beautiful county in South West England, famous for its phenomenal beaches and stunning countryside. Every year, thousands of vacationers visit Cornwall for quaint seaside towns. One of these is the adorable village of Mousehole.
Mousehole is a scenic fishing village with igneous cottages, a gorgeous harbour, and cobbled streets. It looks exactly like the image you see on postcards!
In this post, we’ll share the best things to do in Mousehole, Cornwall. We’ll also give you a little insight into this fantastic place.
No time to read now? No problem, save a pin to your Pinterest board for later!
The Best Things to do in Mousehole
- About Mousehole
- Take a stroll around Mousehole Harbour
- Explore the maze of narrow streets
- Stop by the shops
- Visit the Art Galleries
- Explore the coastline by boat
- Wild swim in the sea pool
- Check out the lights (in winter)
- Walk around Penzance
- Visit St Michael’s Mount
- Land’s End
- Watch a show at the Minnak Theatre
- Where to eat in Mousehole
About Mousehole – Why is Mousehole called Mousehole?
There are a few theories behind the name of Cornwall’s loveliest village. Some say it is because of the tiny mousehole shaped harbour, while others claim that there is a mousehole-like formation in the rocks by the beach.
The most plausible theory is that the name originates from the word Moeshayle, which means “young woman’s brook” in Cornish. This theory makes sense because there is a brook in the town.
This historic fishing village was once known as Porth Enys (Port of the land) and is built mainly in traditional Cornish architecture. In the 16th century, the village was one of the prime ports of this part of Cornwall. Therefore, it gained huge wealth and prestige. At that time, the fishing town was known for its markets, fairs, and festivals.
In 1930, Dylan Thomas illustrated Mousehole as “the loveliest village in England.” Since then, nothing much has changed. Today, Mousehole is famous for its stunningly spectacular site and fishing ports.
If you are looking for the best places to stay in Cornwall, Mousehole is the perfect seaside town for a weekend away.
The top 8 things to do in Mousehole
If you are planning a trip to Mousehole, you’ll want to make the most of your time, so we have created this list of things to do in Mousehole, Cornwall:
Take a stroll around Mousehole Harbour Beach
Despite being in Cornwall, Mousehole is not renowned for its beaches. It does, however, have two wonderfully charming beaches for you to visit. One is at the harbour. It is nestled right on the village’s coast and offers picturesque views of the coastline and St Clements Island.
Mousehole Harbour beach is a vibrant experience where you will see colourful surfboards and kayaks standing up against the walls and anchor ropes holding the boats at bay. You may also get a chance to say hello to some friendly swans.
Explore the maze of narrow streets
The streets of Mousehole are exceptionally narrow and often get bottlenecked during summer. Don’t let that put you off though, a walk down the one-way streets will give you the chance to explore many hidden gems. From decorated pubs to local galleries exhibiting age-old arts, it is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Mousehole.
The houses on the streets sell things like plants and books with the honesty box method as payment. You simply take what you want and drop your money through the letterbox, it is a perfect example of quaint, traditional English trade.
Stop by the vibrant Mousehole shops
There is no danger of leaving here empty-handed. In Mousehole, there are plenty of antique shops where you can buy souvenirs and other wonderful pieces. The people of this beautiful town are self-reliant and welcome tourists with open arms to shop locally with them.
One shop in particular that stands out in the village is The Mousehole Shop. It is the most elegant building with pleasant turquoise windows and doors contrasting against the gorgeous walls. Here, you can purchase fantastic memorabilia to take your memories of Mousehole home.
Visit the aesthetic art galleries
Cornwall is known for its artistic flair and Mousehole village is no exception. The stunning fishing town has seen many artists over the years so, naturally, the art galleries of Mousehole are filled with exceptional pieces. If you are in the village and looking for things to do in Mousehole, you must visit the Tyler Gallery.
The Tyler Gallery has ceramics and magnificent paintings of Mousehole’s seascape. If you are captivated by the beauty of this fishing village and want to enjoy it more, then you should visit this gallery. Another delightful gallery is The Sandpiper. It sells local artwork, including jewellery, ceramics, and landscape paintings. It is also a great place to learn about Cornish art & culture.
Explore the coastline on boat trips
Want to see Mousehole village from a different view point? Definitely go on a boat trip around Mount Bay. These boat trips are one of the top things to do in Mousehole, which allow you to see striking views of West Cornwall. Mousehole has a very romantic feel to it making it one of the best places to stay in Cornwall for couples.
Go for a swim around the Mousehole sea pool
The pebble beach settled on the eastern side of Mousehole has a small sea pool. This sea pool traps seawater as it rolls in and offers a safe swimming spot. It may not be as big as the ones in Bude, but it is just as refreshing on on a hot summers day.
See the Mousehole light show
During the festive season, Mousehole sees a high wave of tourists. That is because it is famous for the best Cornish light shows at Christmastime; the whole village is illuminated! The houses are lit with colourful lights that leave their reflection on the water, making for a truly beautiful scene.
The Christmas light tradition started because Mousehole can be a dark place during winter, due to the bad weather. The locals decided to brighten up the town’s mood, and now it has become a cultural tradition.
Top 4 places to visit near Mousehole Cornwall
We know you will have a fantastic time in Mousehole, but its nearby areas are also worth visiting. Your vacation doesn’t have to end here, so we have created a list of the top 4 places near Mousehole:
The historic port of Penzance
Penzance is a westerly town in Cornwall and is the closest place to Mousehole – less than an hour away. Penzance is an inherently beautiful town with many pretty attractions surrounding the whole location.
Some famous sites here include Chapel Street, the exchange gallery, Penlee house gallery & museum, Morrab gardens, and the ancient stones. Take some time to visit this town and make the most of your vacation here in Mousehole.
St Michael’s Mount- An ancient castle
St Michael’s Mount is one of the must-see places in Cornwall. It is located in Marazion, sitting on a tidal island. This National Trust Site and gothic castle have a rich history. To visit the island, you need to take a boat and buy tickets to see the beautiful fort and the garden. However, if you are a member of the National Trust, you can explore here for free.
Don’t miss the view while walking to St Michael’s Mount, you can spot Penzance, Newlyn, and Mousehole from the top of the circular wall.
The Land’s End Cornwall- A fascinating spot
Land’s End is the most southwesterly point in England. The area here is known as Sennen and has become a favourite tourist spot.
Among the many things to do in Land’s End, soaking in the breathtaking viewpoints of the coast and picturesque walks along the peninsula are the highlights. And don’t forget to take your picture with the famous Land’s End sign! If you are on a family trip, this is a great kid-friendly stop.
The Minack open-air theatre- the world’s most unique theatre
The Minack is an open-air theatre and one of the most stunning places in the world. This greek-inspired amphitheatre rests high on golden cliffs above the turquoise sea. You don’t need to come here to see a performance either, its great to visit just for the theatre itself. You can visit here anytime to appreciate its marvellous beauty.
The views go far beyond the greenish waters of Porthcurno Bay and Pedn Vounder beach on a clear day. You might even see some dolphins or basking sharks in the crystal clear sea off the Minack. Do you know this place was the vision and mostly work of one woman, Rowena Cade?
Still want more? Here are some other places to visit near Mousehole.
Fantastic places to eat in Mousehole
A trip without food is always incomplete. There are a myriad of restaurants in Mousehole, perfect for grabbing mouthwatering food. Here are some eateries that you should try:
- Jessie’s Dairy– If you love dessert, you can stop by Jessie’s Dairy for ice cream and Cornish pastry.
- The Rock Pool Cafe– This cafe is a perfect brunching spot, nestled on the rocks above the sea pool, and offers bistro food, cocktails, afternoon tea, etc.
- 2 Fore Street– An elegant street cafe with an enticing outside dining terrace. They serve palatable seafood, which is their specialty!
- The old coastguard– If you want to eat beside amazing sea views, this is the ideal place to have lunch, drinks, or an evening meal.
Enjoy the beauty and simplicity of Mousehole
At this point, we are sure you just want to pack your bags and leave for Mousehole. No matter what season it is, Mousehole always has something to offer, making it a splendid holiday destination as a part of England tourism.
Before You Leave for Cornwall
Before you head off on your trip to Cornwall, there are things you will need to organise to ensure a smooth trip. These include what to pack, where to stay and what travel insurance to book.
How Do I Get to Cornwall?
Cornwall is located in the southwestern tip of England. It is easily reachable by public transport, including train and bus, with routes that take you from major cities directly to Truro. If you are flying into the country, the closest airport will be Newquay Airport.
What Should I Pack for Cornwall?
What you need to pack for Cornwall will rely partly on when you take your trip there. During the Spring and Autumn months, temperatures and weather patterns vary wildly between beautiful sunny skies and freezing rain.
The temperatures generally vary from 10 oC to 25 oC during these months, with a mixture between cold, winds and warmer southerlies. There is a small amount of rain, with maybe 1 in 7 days receiving rainfall, which makes it perfect for days out exploring.
During the Summer months in Cornwall, temperatures tend to range from 20oC to 30oC, with some days topping 35oC. When it comes to toiletries, we recommend that you don’t forget to pack sunscreen. The sun in Cornwall can be strong, especially in the summer months.
If you need more inspiration on what to pack for your trip, check out our full packing guides for all-weather conditions over here.
Given the beautiful sights and scenery that you will see in Cornwall, we highly recommend packing a good camera for your trip. If you want to read more about the cameras we use and why we love them, check out the link below.
You can read what else we keep in our camera bag over here.
Photography Equipment
Main Photography Camera – Sony A7v Mirrorless Camera and Sony A7iii Mirrorless Camera
Microphone – Shure VP83 Condenser Shotgun Microphone
Main Lens – Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8
Zoom Lens – Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8
Camera Tripod – ZOMEI Z669C Camera Tripod
Gorilla Pod – JOBY JB01507-BWW GorillaPod
Action Camera – GoPro Hero 9 Black and Insta 360 One RS
Drone Camera – DJI Mavic Pro 2
Camera Bag – Lowepro Flipside 300 AW and The Nest by Tropicfeel
Phone Tripod – Manfrotto MKPIXICLAMP-BK, Mini Tripod with Universal Smartphone Clamp
Hard Drives – LaCie Rugged Mini, 5TB, 2.5″, Portable External Hard Drive
SSD – SanDisk Extreme Pro 1TB Portable NVMe SSD
Travel Adapter –Worldwide Travel Adapter Universal Travel Plug with 4 USB Ports+Universal AC Socket
What is the Best Travel Insurance?
I know tavel insurance is the least enjoyable thing to purchase and look at when you’re planning a trip, however, you wouldn’t want to be without it in the event that something happened. Accidents can happen anywhere and the extortionate medical bills will ruin your trip if you are not covered.
To ensure you have a stress-free trip with no worries about potential medical bills, make sure you cover yourself when you travel. We can recommend using SafetyWing, a backpacker-friendly and cheap insurance company that provides good coverage and support. It is also nomad-friendly, unlike most other insurance companies, meaning you do not need to worry about being out of your home country for too long.
Get a quote for your travel insurance right here and get covered!
So there you have it, a guide to Cornwall. If you have visited Cornwall recently, let us know what you thought of the activities and beautiful buildings in the area. If you have any suggestions let us know in the comments below.
As always, sharing is caring so make sure to share this photo guide with your family and friends and inspire them to head off on their own English adventure. If you are planning the trip for yourself, make sure you have a look at the rest of our England content for more inspiration to our beautiful home country.
When you set off on your own adventure, be sure to tag us in your photos on Instagram and we will share them with the rest of our community. In the meantime, why not follow us over there to see what we are currently up to and keep up with us on our Instagram Stories.
Now Read:
- The Best Things to do in Cornwall in Winter – A Complete Guide to Visiting Cornwall in Winter
- Eight Must-see Places in Cornwall
This article may contain affiliate links that provide us with a small income. For more information read our Affiliate page.
Pin this image to your England Pinterest board for later
