The beautiful and picturesque village of Mevagissey is located on the southern coast of Cornwall. Huddled between a small valley and a bay, this quaint fishing port offers the best scenic views.
Built on the site of a quay established in the early 1400s the Mevagissey harbour is the second largest fishing port in Cornwall. It is also one of the prettiest villages in Cornwall. The centre of the village is like a wonderfully laid out labyrinth with narrow streets, eateries, shops, and colourful cottages.
From The Lost Gardens of Heligan to the Harbour of Mevagissey, here are the 5 best places to visit in Mevagissey. So take your cameras and let’s set off to explore what Mevagissey has to offer.
The Lost Gardens of Heligan
The Lost Gardens of Heligan, or Lowarth Helygen as it is known in Cornish, is one of the most popular gardens in the UK. The garden was designed by Henry Hawkins Tremayne in the 18th century. Its development started in 1766 and continued until the start of World War 1. The garden laid neglected and eventually lost after 1914. It was only rediscovered almost 8 decades later. After the rediscovery, a restoration project was started to restore it to its former glory and now it is a working Victorian-style garden.
This 200 acre garden is best known for The Mud Maid and The Giant’s Head figures which look just as mysterious and beautiful as the rest of the garden. As you explore, you’ll get the feeling that you’ve time travelled back to the 19th century.
The Pleasure Grounds is the main attraction of the garden. It is a collection of gardens with unique atmospheres and many structures, features, and plantings dating back to the 19th century. These are all connected by a network of winding pathways laid out centuries ago. While you’re here, you should check out The Witches’ Broom, The Northern Summerhouse, Italian Garden, and The Sundial Garden.
It also has productive gardens which are the finest in Britain. This garden also houses Europe’s last pineapple pit. They even have a celebrity of their own, Diggory the scarecrow.
After that let’s go for an adventure in the Jungle. The Jungle, which started as a Japanese garden, is now filled with subtropical plantings, ancient tree ferns, and Wollemi Pines among other plantings. Other attractions include UK’s largest New Zealand Yew and a really long Burmese Rope Bridge.
Mere words can’t describe how beautiful and mysterious this garden is. You have to experience it on your own.
Mevagissey Museum
While visiting any new place checking out the museum is a must. The Mevagissey Museum building was built in 1745. The building has a history of its own- before it was a museum, all three floors were used for different purposes. The top floor used to be a shop, first as a carpenter’s workshop and the ground floor as a boatyard.
The building was offered to the museum trustees by the last shipwright Arthur Frazier at a reduced cost. With the generosity of Mrs. Matson, they could build a museum that now holds the history of Mevagissey.
Look around the museum to see how life was like in the 19th century. There are games that your little ones can play, like teddy bear hunt and pirate hunt. It is also suitable for disabled people. The best thing is the entry is free of charge. You don’t have to pay for anything, although you can donate if you wish to. It is small but it is an enjoyable and interesting place worth visiting.
The Eden Project
The Eden Project is Cornwall’s best known and popular attraction. It is a few minutes away from Mevagissey. Nestled in a crater, these two massive biomes house stunning plants from different climates and environments.
The two biomes simulate two different environments. The larger one simulates a rainforest and the other one, the Mediterranean. Other than these two biomes there is also a botanical garden outside and a Core that was added in September 2005.
Did you know The Eden Project houses the largest indoor rainforest in the world? Not only do you get to see the biggest indoor rainforest in the world, but you also get to see and learn about thousands of plant species, some of which are native to Cornwall. The best time to visit the Eden Project is from late June to early September.
Caerhays Castle and Gardens
Do you want to see what a 19th century Cornish castle looks like? Well then, you would want to check out Caerhays Castle and Gardens. It is only a few minutes away from Mevagissey.
The construction of this magnificent castle started in the 19th century. The construction could not be completed because it proved to be too expensive for the original owners, the Trevonions. The Castle and the Gardens were finished only after the 20th century.
Many plant hybridization has taken place in the Gardens. Camellia × williamsii hybrid was first created here.
The best time to visit the Garden is in March, April, and May since that is when the Garden is at its best. The current owners still live in the castle to this day, so it is only open for a limited time. But the sandy beach which lies behind the castle and its gardens is open all year round.
Mevagissey Harbour
The best place to visit in Mevagissey is its quaint harbour. Mevagissey Harbour is one of the best traditional harbours that Cornwall has to offer. There is so much that you can do in the harbour- you can take a stroll and enjoy the beautiful scenery, and watch the busy harbour. You can try to catch crabs by the quayside. It is a popular activity among children.
There is a small aquarium that you pop by to check out the various local species that you can find in the waters Mevagissey. Entry is free, but a donation is always appreciated.
You can enjoy the waters of Mevagissey by going on boat trips, rides, and ferries. You can even drive a boat by yourself.
Many great restaurants, pubs, cafes, and shops in Mevagissey serve freshly caught fish and other tasty Cornish delicacies that you must try.
Fantastic events like live music, flora dances, street processions, and competitions happen throughout the year and are open to all. There is a celebration called the Feast of St Peter that is celebrated at the end of June every year. During this time, you get to see live music, dances, and fireworks.
These are some of the things that you can do in Mevagissey Harbour. There are other fun activities that you can do with your friends and family.
Honorable Mentions and Conclusion
There are many other places to visit in Mevagissey like the World of Model Trains which has over 2000 models, and many layouts. They also have a shop that sells models and layouts.
Charlestown is also a few minutes away from Mevagissey. It is a popular filming location. It appears in films like Alice in Wonderland, The Three Musketeers, Treasure Island, and Rebecca. While you’re here, you should visit the shipwreck centre.
Last but not least is Tintagel. It is an hour away from Mevagissey but it is worth a visit. The Tintagel Castle is a historic site and associated with the Legend of King Arthur. You will also get to see the statue of King Arthur named ‘Gallos’ in the Castle.
Mevagissey is a small picturesque village in Cornwall with a thriving fishing industry. This village has so much more to offer that I can’t mention it all in this post. You will get a quaint feeling as you wander through the streets of Mevagissey. Feel the inspiration and awe as you walk through the harbour and watch the sun go down and rise again the next day.
The best time to visit Mevagissey is June or September.
Wonderful blog. Beautiful travel destinations. Thanks for sharing.