A Beautiful English Harborside Town Promises Unique Charm, Fresh Food, And Cute Shops

If you've ever spent time rummaging around antique shops or local art fairs in Britain, you may well have come across some quaint watercolor pictures of scenic fishing villages. The best examples are enough to evoke the cry of seagulls and the tang of salt on the breeze, perhaps depicting a lovely jumble of houses overlooking a harbor full of colorful fishing boats. One English harbor town that looks like a painting come to life is Mevagissey in Cornwall, a working fishing port which has plenty to offer visitors in terms of food, shopping, and local charm.

Located around a five-hour drive from London or three hours from Bristol, a trip to the village is a journey deep into the Cornish peninsula in southwestern England. The region is famed for its dramatic rocky coastline, isolated coves, and old tales of smugglers and wreckers — the route along the A30 will take you past the legendary Jamaica Inn, once known for illicit activity and reputed as one of the most haunted pubs in Britain. Mevagissey, situated on the south coast of the county, dates back to around the 14th century and takes its name from two Irish saints (St. Mevan and St. Issey) who arrived in Cornwall hundreds of years earlier. The village's fishing community thrived in the 17th century thanks to abundant shoals of pilchard, mackerel, and herring, and nowadays you will still see modern fishers bringing in their catch. Let's take a look at some of the highlights of a trip to this charming harbor village.

The historic harbor is the main attraction in Mevagissey. It may look quaint with all the little fishing boats bobbing about on the water as you stroll around the wharf, but it is still the second-largest fishing port in Cornwall. The original harbor dates back to the late 18th century, and the outer harbor with additional breakwaters was constructed in 1888. Nowadays, the port is home to around 60 working fishing vessels and provides mooring for dozens more pleasure craft. The locals are well used to welcoming visitors and most areas are accessible to the public. You can take a pleasant walk around the entire harbor from Mevagissey landing to the outer wall on the opposite side, stopping off at the variety of cafes, bars, ice cream parlors, and quirky gift shops along the way. Taking a walk up the hill, you will find more places to eat and shops to browse in the narrow streets of the village.

Other places of interest include the free Mevagissey Museum and the local aquarium. If you want to get a taste of how the fishers work, book up for a mackerel trip on a working commercial vessel to net some of your own. Various other operators based around the harbor also offer rib rides, sealife spotting tours, and leisure cruises. If you feel like catching something without needing sea legs, you can always do a spot of crabbing from the harbor wall.

The big annual event is Mevagissey Feast Week, which has taken place in the village since 1754. The modern version offers fun and activities for all ages: You can enjoy fresh food and local delicacies, live music, boat races, a carnival parade, and a classic village fête. One of the highlights is a demonstration by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and the festivities conclude with a spectacular firework display over the harbor. If you are in the mood for a little traditional song and dance with a nautical theme, time your visit for the Sea Shanty Festival in the autumn. The event attracts dozens of groups from around Europe for a celebration that will certainly warm the cockles.

Cornwall is a superb destination for foodies visiting the U.K. and Mevagissey has several great places to grab a bite. Marys Pastys on the harbor is the ideal spot to try a traditional Cornish pastie or daily home-cooked specials. Lovers of seafood won't be disappointed: Check out The Harbour Catch for freshly cooked fare with outdoor seating overlooking the water, or grab a bowl of hearty chowder or some locally-caught mussels at The Sharksfin restaurant. For those with a sweeter tooth, Mevagissey is gaining a reputation as the baking capital of Cornwall — head to the Lighthouse Cafe for a classic cream tea of warm scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam. Be sure to do it the Cornish way and spread the jam first!