Mevagissey is a picturesque coastal village with a fishing harbour.
Mevagissey nestles in a small valley and faces east to Mevagissey Bay. The inner and outer harbours are busy with a mixture of pleasure vessels and working fishing boats. The village has a long history of fishing and a tradition of boat building dating back to 1745. Many of the old buildings, constructed of cob and slate, bear testimony to a time when the large shoals of pilchards were the livelihood of the whole village.
The harbour which is the second biggest fishing port in Cornwall also offers fishing trips for visitors and a ferry service to the nearby port of Fowey. There is also a small aquarium on the harbour.
Mevagissey village centre consists of narrow streets with many places to eat and shops aimed at the tourist trade. The outer areas are built on the steep slopes of the surrounding hillsides and are mostly residential.
There is a car park on the quay but the streets can be difficult to negotiate and are often busy with pedestrians so it’s best to use the large carpark when entering the village.
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- Carpark (Charges apply)
- Public Toilets
- Cafés (Open all year)
- Shops
- Restaurants
- Hazard: Deep Water
- Lifeguards not available
- Dogs allowed (All year)
- 5 minute walk from carpark
History of Mevagissey
Mevagissey is a small town located on the south coast of Cornwall. The town has a rich history dating back to the 14th century when it was primarily a fishing village. Mevagissey’s main industry was pilchard fishing, which was very profitable for the town. In the 19th century, the town expanded its fishing fleet to include other types of fish such as mackerel and herring. Mevagissey became one of the largest fishing ports in Cornwall, with over 100 fishing boats based in the harbor.
The town’s narrow streets and alleys were built in the 18th century and are well-preserved today. The town also has a long history of smuggling, which was prevalent in the 18th and 19th centuries. The narrow streets and alleys provided ideal cover for smugglers to move goods such as tea, brandy, and tobacco.
In the 20th century, Mevagissey’s fishing industry declined, but the town has reinvented itself as a popular tourist destination. The town’s charming harbor, beaches, and coastal walks attract visitors from all over the world. Mevagissey also has a thriving arts and crafts scene, with many galleries and workshops showcasing local talent. The town hosts an annual Feast Week in late June, which is a week-long celebration of the town’s history and culture, with events and activities for all ages.
Travel / Parking information for Mevagissey
Directions to Mevagissey
To get to Mevagissey take the A390 towards St Austell and then follow the B3273 south directly to Mevagissey. For visitors coming by public transport, bus services are available from St Austell, which has a train station connecting to major cities, making Mevagissey accessible for a day trip or longer stays.
Parking for Mevagissey
Parking in Mevagissey can be found at the large River Street car park, situated near the village center, offering convenient access to the harbor and shops. This car park, along with a few smaller ones around the village, operates on a pay-and-display basis. During the peak tourist season, Mevagissey can become quite busy, so arriving early in the day is advisable to secure a parking spot.