Newlyn is a fascinating village just outside Penzance – its modest appearance belies a rich history and has a very important place in the history of Cornwall.
Home to one of the biggest fishing fleets in the UK (there is over 40 acres of harbour), Newlyn may not be as attractive as its neighbour Mousehole but it has been a thriving fishing village for hundreds of years and has a huge significance economically for Cornwall.
In honour of this, there is an annual celebration of all things fishy at The Newlyn Fish Festival which takes place over August bank holiday weekend – be sure to go if you’re about as there’s plenty of stalls, boat races, fish auctions and sea shanties galore to keep you entertained (take your camera for the incredible fish displays).
During the rest of the year you can watch the boats chug backwards and forwards – there’s a fish market if you’re up early and some great shops where you can buy the freshest of fresh fish and seafood which you can take back to your retreat – Rick Stein eat your heart out!
But it’s not all about denizens of the deep – Newlyn has also been a great inspiration for artists and even had its own movement – The Newlyn School – many works of which can be found in the Penlee House Gallery and Museum in neighbouring Penzance. There’s also the Newlyn Art Gallery which hosts fabulous exhibitions of local artists and also holds classes and courses.
One final recommendation – make sure to visit Jelberts. This shrine to ice cream has not been tempted to stray from what it does best – a single flavoured ice cream made daily (there’s no preservatives so it can’t be kept) topped with clotted cream and a flake. Go on – you deserve it.
