Mevagissey’s time-worn streets weave their way past old cob and slate buildings and fishermen’s cottages, towards the harbour around which the town’s presence has grown. Once the centre for Cornwall’s fishing industry, millions of pilchards were collected each year from the sea around Mevagissey, ready to be salted and sent abroad. These days, Mevagissey is still a thriving fishing community and the pier (first built by John Trewollas in 1430) is alive with the hustle and bustle of crews tending to their boats, landing their catch and mending their nets. 

A real jewel in South Cornwall’s crown, Mevagissey is home to waterside restaurants and pubs tempting you in with the freshest tastes of land and sea. As well as its picture-perfect aesthetics, the village plays a host to attractions a-plenty as well as lots to see and do in the surrounding area. Pack your day with as much or as little as you please and tread the waterside flagstones to a soundtrack of gulls and lapping waves. From mornings in secret gardens to afternoons out at sea to cosy nights tucked up in your luxury Mevagissey accommodation; this is what holidays are made of.

A visual treat and sensory temptation, Mevagissey enjoys a parade of restaurants, pubs and cafés all standing to attention on the quayside and buried within its streets. For seafood, book yourself a table at the dog-friendly Sharksfin, where local produce is prepared with an American twist. Updating their menu with the seasons and the latest catch of the day, you can look forward to the freshest tastes accompanied by a cosy ambience and views over the harbour.

Another highly rated option, the Salamander Restaurant offers diners a refined experience, serving up a menu of tantalising evening meals. If your taste buds are calling for something a little different, take your time browsing Mevagissey’s eclectic eateries or head a little further away to Pentewan Sands, where Hubbox sits overlooking the beach. Should you feel like popping home for lunch or indulging in a luxurious night at home, you can pick up some goodies from Martin’s Bakery and enjoy downtime in your own slice of paradise. 

Sat next door to the Sharksfin, the Harbour Tavern is one of the best places to enjoy a finely crafted pint of Cornish ale with ocean air filling your lungs, the sun on the sea and the view of fishermen returning to the quayside after a salty day’s work. Located on Cliff Street, the Fountain Inn is an attractive sight with its flower-clad façade and is just as welcoming inside with its friendly atmosphere, crooked beams and open fires. 

If it’s tea and cake you crave, then Tea on the Quay will deliver. Teasing visitors with a dribble-worthy range of cakes and hot drinks, your only problem will be deciding which treat to go for next. For a closer view of the impressive landscapes and a chance to escape the crowds, fill a flask with tea and head to the coast path to explore one of the UK’s most famous walkways, the South West Coast Path. Make sure to keep an eye out for pods of dolphins and basking sharks as you go!

Ease yourself into the day with a stroll around Mevagissey harbour; if you are up early enough you will be able to watch the fishermen coming back in with their catch of the day! Later on, treat yourself to a boat trip from the harbour and take in the coast from a whole new perspective. Or, if you fancy a novel way to get around, take the ferry from Mevagissey to Fowey and potter around this picturesque harbour town for a while before heading back to your luxury Mevagissey accommodation. 

Famous for its rich history (including the unmissable Feast Week), Mevagissey is only a short drive from Caerhays Castle; inhabited by the Williams family since 1855, it opens its gardens to the public in spring when beautiful magnolias burst with colour. In a similar vein, the world-famous Lost Gardens of Heligan are also close by and boast over 200-acres of gardens for you to explore. Spend an afternoon wandering amongst the greenery of the Northern Gardens or tropical splendour of the Jungle estate and breathe in the heady scents of countless perfumes.