Things to do in Mevagissey

Sleepy fishing villages are scattered all along Cornwall’s varied coastline, hidden in peaceful, secluded spots among the long sandy beaches, hilly countryside and bustling market towns that make up this beautiful region of the South West. Mevagissey is one of our favourites with pretty houses sat on the steep hillside, shallow, turquoise waters and unique inner and outer harbour walls that protect it from the sea.

Find out all about this Cornish gem with our guide to things to do in Mevagissey.

Skip to section:

About

The beaches

The harbour

The ferry

Wildlife watching

Accommodation

Food and drink

Attractions

Lost Gardens of Heligan

The walks

About the village:

Narrow streets and picture-postcard houses fill this quiet village that sits on the Cornish coast. Its shallow harbour is regularly full of fishing boats and there are several cafes and coffee shops from which you can watch the boats coming and going. It was once a centre for pilchard fishing and still has a tradition of boat building.

The local town is the busy St Austell, which plays host to many fantastic attractions and a busy high street, ideal if you’re looking for things to do during the day before returning to the peaceful seaside village of Mevagissey for a little relaxation.

The beaches:

Cornwall is famous for its unforgettable coastline, so ensure you make the most of your time here by heading down to one of the delightful sandy beaches.

Mevagissey has its own stretch of sand, perfect for a lazy day when you don’t want to travel too far. Less than 2 miles up the coast is the large sandy Pentewan Beach, an excellent area for swimming and water sports which you can reach by walking the South West Coast Path.

It’s 8 miles to Hemmick Beach, which you can see in our post uncovering Cornwall’s beautiful secret beaches. The unspoilt Gorran Haven beach sits in a bay 4 miles drive from Mevagissey while the dog-friendly Caerhays beach is 7 miles away. There’s a sandy shoreline in every direction for you to choose from during your holiday so take your pick of wonderful seaside spots to explore.

The harbour:

After a blizzard destroyed the outer harbour, it was rebuilt in 1891 whereas the inner harbour wall dates from its original construction in 1774. This beautiful harbour plays a large part in the unique appearance of the little town and is excellent protection for the boats and yachts that moor here. Visiting yachts are welcome arranged in advance, and various boat trips take visitors out into the surrounding waters to see the sights including mackerel fishing trips, speed boat rides and, of course, the coastal ferry.

The ferry:

Combining two traditional yet contrasting Cornish villages, the Mevagissey to Fowey Passenger Ferry runs throughout the summer season and sails along the beautiful Polperro Heritage Coast. At Fowey you’ll find a couple of sandy beaches, an aquarium and the ruins of St Catherine’s Castle as well as several waterfront pubs and cafes that line the River Fowey.

Wildlife watching:

Dolphins have been spotted in the waters around Mevagissey so why not head out on a wildlife watching boat trip? Cornwall’s incredible coast is a wildlife haven; on a boat trip you could spot anything from seals, seabirds, dolphins and porpoises to sharks. You never know what you might see out in those Cornish waters.

The accommodation:

With its great location on the South Cornwall coast, this traditional fishing village has plenty of great accommodation for you to choose from. Whether you're looking for a dog-friendly cottage so your pet can come too, or a working farm property to give you that authentic countryside experience. we have plenty of self-catering and personally managed cottage for you to choose from. Browse our collection of Mevagissey cottages and book your next stay.

The food and drink:

There are plenty of pubs, perfect for a Sunday roast or evening dining, as well as cafes and restaurants in the area. You could head for the fantastically located Harbour Tavern, the quirky Number Five café and restaurant or The Fisherman’s Chippy for that classic British seaside staple.

Fancy a little fine dining? Head to Trevalsa Court restaurant that has previously been awarded two AA rosettes for their excellence in cooking. Delicious!

The attractions:

Spend a relaxed few hours exploring the attractions in the tiny village itself. The seafront aquarium is certainly an unexpected treasure where you can see a small collection of local marine life. Take a look at the exhibits in the Mevagissey Museum then wander up to the Mevagissey World of Model Railways and you’ll find a main railway that travels through a variety of different landscapes including town, country, seaside and even an alpine winter scene, as well as an indoor garden display and a children’s section with Thomas the Tank Engine.

Every June, the whole village gets involved in Mevagissey Feast Week, a community celebration that incredibly has been held here for hundreds of years, attracting locals and visitors alike. Time your trip right to see the stalls, live music and festivities that take place during this exciting week-long event.

The Lost Gardens of Heligan:

Always popular with holidaymakers, these beautiful grounds are only 3 miles from Mevagissey, having been restored 25 years ago they provide a wonderful place for a little exploration.

With over 200 acres to uncover, you’ll have a great time spotting the creatures that have been created from the plants and enjoy exploring the outdoor jungle that takes you on a sub-tropical journey through tunnels of bamboo, past tree ferns and giant rhubarb. The intriguing space has acres of traditional British woodland with wildlife, Victorian Productive Grounds, Pleasure Grounds and a variety of livestock on the farm.

The walks:

Pick up the Pentewen Trail at the pretty coastal village of Pentewen, which runs a relatively gentle 5-mile route along an old railway track to the village of London Apprentice and back again. You’re welcome to hire bikes at Pentewen if you’d prefer to cycle the path.

The fantastic Dodman Point is the highest headland in Cornwall and 5 miles from Mevagissey. It is National Trust-owned land and a beautiful coastal piece of landscape - an excellent place for wildlife watching and you can even meet the ponies that graze there. The Dodman Long Loop will take you on an invigorating 5-mile walk up to the Dodman Cross.

Otherwise you could follow the South West Coast path on an 11-mile-long walk from Mevagissey to Par. It’s a challenge so feel free to pick and choose whichever section of this beautiful coastal walk takes your fancy.

Planning a holiday in Mevagissey on the beautiful Cornish coast? If you enjoyed reading through this post then take a look at the fantastic cottages we have in this traditional village by the sea. 

Discover more of Cornwall: