This Fishing Paradise On The Cornwall Coast Is A Picturesque Village With Rolling Hills And Ocean Views

Less well known than popular Cornish seaside destinations such as St. Ives and Padstow, the charming village of Mevagissey lies hidden away on the county's southern coast. With its rich maritime heritage, narrow streets, and historic association with smuggling, Mevagissey offers a quintessential fishing village experience, away from the crowds. In the heart of the old center, whitewashed stone cottages stand beside independent gift shops and traditional pubs, with buzzing eateries serving up fresh seafood down on the waterfront. Completing the paradisiacal setting are the cliff paths around the village, which offer sweeping views of Mevagissey and the surrounding sea.

Mevagissey's working twin harbors bring life to the otherwise peaceful village, with fishing boats coming and going throughout the day. It's a picturesque scene on calm mornings and evenings when the reflection of boats in the water will have you reaching for your camera. The harbor is protected by two sea walls, both of which you can walk along for sea and village views. When it's windy, the waves often crash against the walls, making for dramatic photographs.

I've visited Mevagissey many times and often stay there as it makes a great base for exploring the wider area. There's nothing quite like waking up to breakfast beside the harbor, or fresh fish and chip suppers overlooking the sea. Plus, major attractions such as the Eden Project – a garden with greenhouses in a former clay pit — are just a short drive away. Here, I'll share some of my recommendations to help you plan a visit to the village. 

Keen anglers will feel at home in Mevagissey, with its age-old fishing culture and welcoming vibe. The harbor has long been at the heart of village life, with the pilchard industry playing a major role in community prosperity through the medieval period until the 20th century. Today, the fishing trade continues, albeit on a lesser scale. 

Providers such as Aquila offer a range of sport fishing trips from Mevagissey. See if you can reel in a dogfish or bream while drifting over the reef, or head farther out to sea in search of bluefin tuna if you want to catch some bigger game. There's also a wreck 5 miles offshore, with Out of the Blue Charters offering 4-hour wreck fishing trips targeting mackerel, cod, and whiting. If you prefer to keep two feet on the ground, cast your line from the shore instead. Shoals of mackerel congregate around the southern harbor wall, so head to the lighthouse for the best position. The fish are particularly prevalent between April and September, sometimes accompanied by other species such as pollack and wrasse. Your chances of landing a catch are better if you fish at high tide, so check the tide times before heading down to the harbor.

If you want to enjoy sea views without angling, Seas The Day offers 45-minute sightseeing cruises around Mevagissey Bay as well as longer private charters in a traditional wooden boat. You can also book wildlife watching cruises with Out of the Blue Charters, keeping your eyes peeled for dolphins, basking sharks, and gray seals. 

Just like Cornwall's pretty fishing village of Mousehole and the charming coastal town of Looe, Mevagissey is surrounded by rugged coast and gently rolling hills. To fully appreciate the picturesque setting, I recommend climbing Polkirt Hill on the south side of the harbor to see the village from above. There's a grassy area at the top with views over Mevagissey and the surrounding countryside.

The village makes a great base for hikes. The long-distance South West Coast Path passes through it, undulating along clifftops with far-reaching sea views. One of my favorite coastal strolls is to Polstreath Beach, just to the north of Mevagissey. The there-and-back route is only a mile, with a steep staircase descent that offers spectacular bay views. Take a picnic, swim, or go rock pooling at low tide at this beautifully secluded beach. There's also a 6.4-mile circular route that heads inland though Cornwall's china clay landscapes. It's a scenic trail that takes in the historic estate known as The Lost Gardens of Heligan and the tin mining heritage of the Pentewan Valley. The terrain is varied and steep in places, with the path climbing over hills and skirting along dramatic clifftops with flatter sections of cycleway in between.

Mevagissey is a 35-minute drive from Cornwall Airport Newquay (NQY). Parking is limited in the village, as its lanes were not designed with cars in mind. I suggest using Willow Car & Coach Park on the edge of the village, a 5-minute walk from the harbor. This is likely where you'll park if you're staying over, too, so remember to pack lightly. If you're visiting in summer, you can leave the car behind and take a ferry to Mevagissey from the quaint but larger fishing village of Fowey across the bay.