Things to do in Mousehole

Mousehole is best when entered on foot, or bus, or bike. Cars are not the way to see Mousehole and best left outside. If you have to bring a car, there’s a big car park on the Penzance side of the village, close to The Old Coastguard Hotel.

Christmas lights

Mousehole has celebrated Christmas with beautiful lights for 40 years! The village is a winter wonderland in the dark nights and grey seas of winter. Many villages have light shows today but Mousehole is special. Holiday cottages overlooking the harbour always enjoy an extra special Cornish Christmas. Read more on our blog about Mousehole lights.

Walks around Mousehole

For those who are not so content with staying in their holiday homes, the walks around Mousehole are a joy all year round.  There are some fabulous circular walks but we think there's something particularly satisfying about catching a bus from Mousehole and walking back in (especially if your walk exits the village in a north of westerly direction; you'll soon discover the town is nestled at the bottom of a very steep hill!)  Read our blog on Mousehole Walks.

Coasteering in Mousehole

If you're seeking adrenaline and adventure, check out Coasteering Adventures.

Mousehole is one of Cornwall’s top Coasteering destinations. Nestled in the shelter of Mounts Bay, Mousehole offers multiple coasteering routes for all ages and abilities. Coasteering Adventures are thrilled to be the exclusive provider of coasteering from this location. Book an adventure and you will experience cliff jumping, sea swimming, climbing, bouldering, exploring caves and floating through gullies. With each session tailored to the group, you can choose the level that you are comfortable with.

Dating back to the 13th century Mousehole has a rich history tying it to the sea. 1595 saw all but 1 house (which still stands today) burned to the ground by the Spanish armada. 100 Years later Mousehole became a haven for the ‘Barbary Pirates’ with a number of caves on the route being where their treasure was hidden. During the 1800’s Mousehole settled into a thriving fishing village and you’ll regularly see the small fishing boats from Mousehole pass our groups whilst out on route.

To book and find out more, visit: https://coasteeringadventures.com/coasteering-mousehole-harbour-cornwall/

Mousehole Sea Salts & Sail Festival

Taking place every two years, this maritime festival celebrates Mousehole's fishing heritage with traditional sailing boat races and many other activities and entertainment for the whole family. 2014 was the festival's tenth biennial festival, taking place on the 11th, 12th & 13th July.  Read our blog post from the event here: Sea Salts and Sail Festival.

A brief history of Mousehole

Today Mousehole is beautiful and welcoming holiday destination This popular holiday destination has seen more than its fair share of hardtimes tragedy over the years.

The Quay was built in 1392, holding the harbour like a pair of protective arms. Fishing was always important to Mousehole. These days there are fewer boats fishing from the village but there is an active fishing fleet operating out of nearby Newlyn, a town worth a visit on its own account. Read more about the History of Mousehole on our blog.

Places to visit near Mousehole

Venture near or far, with Newlyn, Porthcurno and Marazion all within a short drive or the cobbled streets of St Ives and the surfing beach of Sennen a little further away. Visit Penzance town to do some light shopping or head to Jubilee Pool to cool down after a long day of exploring. Wherever you want to go, our Mousehole self catering cottages make an ideal base from which to explore the towns and villages of West Cornwall.