Nestled away on the Cornish coast, just three miles west of Penzance, the idyllic village and fishing port of Mousehole is the most dream-like Cornish village you could imagine. Quaint cobbled streets lined with traditional stone cottages welcome visitors as they meander through a maze of art galleries, gift shops and places to eat before taking a seat on the waterfront benches to watch the tide ebb and flow. The former pilchard port - which is actually pronounced "Mowzel," not "mouse hole" - is also home to a pebble beach and a small, surprisingly sandy beach in the harbour with crystal clear waters.
Dogs are banned from this beach all year, making it popular with families of small children. It's not unusual to see kids crabbing in the crystal clear waters, while parents sit on the beach taking in the view. Steeped in history, the village that the Daily Mail described as “like being in a postcard” dates back as far as the 1300s when it was a prominent harbour and the main port for Mount’s Bay.
The now peaceful village also saw its fair share of action during the Spanish invasions in the 16th century, when soldiers attacked the coast as part of the conflict between the two countries. Today tourists come to enjoy a taste of the simple life, supping on a pint of artisanal local ale, perusing the aisles of the independent art galleries or taking a dip in the natural tidal pool, perfect for a spot of wild swimming. Welsh poet Dylan Thomas once called Mousehole the "lovelies.
