Local Area
Home to Harbour Moon, Mousehole is a picturesque fishing village on the south coast of Cornwall between Penzance and Land’s End. Its narrow streets are filled with small shops, galleries and restaurants. Local cottages built from Lamorna granite, huddle together around the inner edge of the harbour.
The area is protected from the force of the sea by two sturdy breakwaters. Dylan Thomas who was married there, described the village as the loveliest in England, but there are many Cornishman who would dispute that this part of the world can be classed as England!
Still the village is magical, and famous for its Christmas lights, which illuminate the harbour in the depths of winter, and for Tom Bawcock’s Eve, a traditional pre-Christmas celebration commemorating a local hero who saved the village from famine by bracing the stormy seas to bring back fish for the starving villagers.
Boasting a disproportionate number of exceptional restaurants and views to die for, Mousehole is the ideal escape at any time of year.
Things To Do
The Minack Theatre
Cornwall’s world famous open-air theatre, presenting musicals and opera from May to September. The theatre is also home to Minack Gardens, a stunning blend of exotic plants and native local species.
Harbour Lights
Every Christmas the harbour is decorated with a spectacular display of lights based on old Mousehole stories and legends. This year’s switch on will take place on Saturday 13th December.
Porthcurno Beach
Only a 15 minute drive away from Harbour Moon, this beautiful beach will make you think you’ve arrived in the Mediterranean. With white sand and clear turquoise water this beach is the perfect place to spend a summer’s day in Cornwall.
Newlyn Fish Festival
Celebrations of all things fishy on August bank holiday at Newlyn Harbour. The chance to eat top quality seafood whilst enjoying cooking demos, live entertainment and a seafood auction.
OUT OF TOWN
ZENNOR
An unspoilt hamlet with great walker’s pub.
Take the coast road south towards Zennor (15 minute drive), one of the UK’s great drives through empty moorland dotted with pagan standing stones or walk along the coastal path at the end of Porthmeor Beach.
The Tinners Arms
Fabulous traditional pub in a superb setting, a historical gem!
The Gunnard’s Head
10 minutes further on past Zennor, near Morvah and Cape Cornwall (where the two oceans meet). Gastro pub voted one of the best in the UK by Tatler magazine. Need to book. Combine lunch with a challenging walk down to the wonderful remote ‘secret’ beach of Porthmeor (on OS map) just beyond The Gunnard’s Head.
ST IVES
Beaches
For a town of its size St Ives is blessed with an inordinate amount of beaches. There are 4 main beaches within walking distance of the town, each with a different character. Porthmeor is perhaps the best known, facing into the Atlantic and backing on to the Tate Gallery. Porthminster is the second biggest and is conveniently located next to the train and bus stations. The Harbour beach is right in the centre of town and a great, safe family option. Porthgwidden is tucked away around the corner from all the hustle and bustle with beach huts available.
Tate St Ives
The St Ives branch of the Tate Gallery opened its doors in 1993. At the time the building was as much of a talking point as the gallery itself. Overlooking Porthmeor beach this building was not intended to be invisible being around 3 storeys tall with its iconic circular entrance vestibule.
As would be expected from the Tate, the gallery features contemporary art. However, there is an emphasis on the St Ives School and artists such as Alfred Wallis.
Barbara Hepworth Museum and Garden:
There is little doubt Barbara Hepworth was one of St Ives’ most influential artists with works featured in prestigious locations around the world. She is probably best known for her geometric abstract sculptures in bronze, many of which have a hole, a concept she is credited with. The museum and gardens are where Hepworth worked from 1949 until 1975 when she was tragically killed in a fire. Her studios and gardens were opened to the public the following year with much left as it was. The gardens include many examples of here sculptures and are complemented by the subtropical plants that grow here.
Surfing in St Ives
Positioned where it is, jutting out into St Ives Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, St Ives is a very popular surfing destination. During the winter Porthmeor often provides some of the only surfable waves in West Cornwall with ‘the Boiler’ being a highly rated and challenging wave. But surfing in St Ives doesn’t end at Porthmeor, there are a few tucked away secret spots that produce great waves on the right day. In summer things are very different and beginners can take advantage of Porthmeor’s sheltered aspect to learn to surf. There are plenty of places to hire the gear and lessons are available right on the beach.
St Ives Boat trip to Seal Island
Seal Island is located around 3.5 miles (5km) west of St Ives and as the name suggests it is home to a colony of grey seals. Boat trips are run on a daily basis from the harbour. The trip along the coast is half the point of this excursion with great views of Porthmeor Beach, The Island and rugged Cornish coast. On arriving at seal island visitors can get fairly close to the seals and generally soak up the scenery. And it’s not just seals; on the right day there is a whole host of other wildlife to be spotted on this sea safari.
Sennen Cove
A 45 minute drive from St Ives, almost at Lands’ End, finds you at a vast and stunning destination surfing beach.
Ben Tunnicliffe
A cool and casual restaurant with a deck overlooking the unspoilt bay.
Food & Drink
Here is a selection of the restaurants we think are worth leaving your cottage for! Whether it’s for a light harbour-side lunch or an intimate romantic meal, there are plenty of places to try..
HARBOUR SIDE HAVENS
Rock Pool
A hidden gem nestled below the Old Coastguard hotel. This lifestyle café serves traditional British tea and scones as well as a light lunch menu that can be enjoyed on the outside terrace, right on the water’s edge.
The Ship Inn
A friendly Cornish pub with stunning views of the harbour. The Ship Inn offers a hearty menu along with a cosy atmosphere, the perfect pit stop after a walk along the coast.
The Old Pilchard Press
A lovely, quaint teashop where the pasties are big enough to share but good enough to order for yourself. With a selection of delicious cream teas and tasty treats, this tiny café is the perfect mouse hole in Mousehole.
Hole Foods Deli
A bright and airy café with fantastic views of the harbour and a wide choice of nutritious and delicious delights. This café is an ideal spot for a harbour side lunch, we recommend the Homity Pie!
DINNER FOR TWO
The Old Coastguard Hotel
A restaurant that prides itself on its freshly caught fish dishes, as well as appreciating the quality of cornish beef and poultry. A roaring fire and beautiful views of St Clements Isle create the perfect atmosphere for a romantic meal for two.
2 Fore Street
This chic, french bistro-style restaurant is situated on Moushole Harbour front with views across mounts bay. A mouth-watering menu within 5 minutes of Harbour Moon cottage!
The Cornish Range
Formerly a pilchard-processing factory, the range keeps true to it’s heritage and is mainly a seafood restaurant, serving fresh fish delivered daily from the Port of Newlyn. A welcoming and relaxed ambiance makes this restaurant the perfect choice for a relaxed, romantic evening.
The Cove
With a choice between panoramic views or an intimate fireside setting, the cove offers much more than just a fine dining experience. Recognised by food magazine for it’s quality modern Cornish cuisine, we believe it to be well worth the 15 minute drive for a special meal.
Spa Service
Our St.Ives based therapist Sarah Lund delivers her treatments in our Beachspoke properties allowing you to fully unwind in the comfort of the cottage. She will bring everything with her, towels, oils, ambient music and she uses a portable massage couch that is very comfortable and secure. She is qualified in a wide range of therapies so whatever you need, from a firm back massage or a gentle head to toe aromatherapy to a nurturing facial or a balancing reflexology, she will provide a treatment tailored to your requirements.
Below is some information about all the available therapies and the prices.
Sarah has tailored this list to what is most suitable and comfortable in the cottage. If you are interested in visiting Sarah for other treatments from Warm Bamboo Massage to Hot Stone Massage please don’t hesitate to enquire. As Sarah is based in St.Ives, a surcharge of £10 will be added if you would like her to come to Mousehole.
Sarah Lund – 07507 518 084
Or email [email protected]
SPA MENU
Body Massage
30 minutes - £30 / 60 minutes - £50 / 90 minutes - £65
Massage can be deep to release muscle tension or more gentle and calming to completely relax you. A combination of different massage techniques, such as Swedish, Sports and deep tissue, complimented by therapeutic fragrant oil gives you the massage you need.
Aromatherapy Massage
60 minutes - £50
Essential oils have many healing and therapeutic properties. Sarah blends these deliciously aromatic plant essences specifically for you, and applies them using an aromatherapy massage. Much gentler than a Swedish or deep tissue massage, the focus of this treatment is on the therapeutic action of the oils on your body and nervous system as they are inhaled and absorbed through your skin.
Reflexology
60 minutes - £40
A deeply relaxing holistic treatment, performed on the feet using specific and potent techniques to provide a balancing treatment that brings health and vitality to the whole of your body. Beneficial for numerous conditions, reflexology is highly recommended to counteract the effects of stressful lives and as a suitable treatment during pregnancy (after the first trimester).
Aromatherapy Facial
60 minutes - £55
A tailor-made facial designed for you. Using aromatherapy based products your skin is cleansed, exfoliated and nourished with the finest pure essential oils and plant extracts, and massaged to restore and nurture, leaving your skin looking radiant and you feeling fantastic.
Facial Rejuvenation Massage
60 minutes - £50
This revolutionary facial is often also referred to as ‘Natural Facelift Massage’. The treatment starts with a cleansing of the skin followed by energy work on pressure points of the face. Then an involved, precise series of unique massage techniques are performed, without oil, to tone muscles and release fixed areas of tension in the connective tissue. It nurtures the skin by encouraging circulation and lymph drainage and is outstandingly relaxing.
Reiki
60 minutes - £45 / 90 minutes - £60
A healing energy that is transmitted to the recipient’s body through the hands of the practitioner. Sublimely relaxing on a physical, emotional and spiritual level. Whatever your circumstances a Reiki treatment, with its pure, holistic outlook can enable subtle, wide-reaching and sometimes unexpected changes to occur. Some people prefer a Reiki treatment because there is no need to undress.
Indian Head Massage
30 minutes - £25
An invigorating and effective seated massage usually performed without oil and through light clothing such as a t-shirt. This treatment focuses on releasing muscular tension in the upper back, shoulders, neck and scalp.
Thai Foot Massage
30 minutes - £25
Thai Foot Massage is a massage of the lower legs and feet that involves hands on stretching and massage to ease aching feet and to “open” Sen (energy) Lines, along with the use of a rounded stick to stimulate points on the feet to promote general health and well-being.