Staying in Mevagissey is an immersion in Cornish village life. Because the village is built into a steep valley, many properties offer stunning views looking down over the harbour lights. It is a romantic, bustling base, perfect for those who want to leave the car behind and explore the coast path. From Art Deco hotels […]
Mevagissey is a working fishing village first and a tourist destination second. This means the food scene is authentic, unpretentious, and dominated by whatever the boats have landed that morning. From tiny Portuguese bistros hidden in the backstreets to bustling harbour-front pubs where you can watch the tides turn, eating here is a serious business.
Looe is the quintessential Cornish holiday town. It manages to balance being a busy working fishing port with being a classic family resort. The river cuts the town in two, creating a dynamic landscape where you can watch trawlers unload their catch on one side and build sandcastles on the other.
Looe is a town of two halves, separated by a river and connected by a Victorian bridge. East Looe is the bustling hub with the beach and narrow streets, while West Looe is quieter, offering incredible views looking back across the harbour. Accommodation here ranges from grand hotels on the headland to fishermen’s cottages tucked into the hillside.
Looe is, first and foremost, a working fishing port. The town is famous for its day boats, which land some of the highest quality fish in the UK. As a result, the dining scene here is dominated by seafood that was likely swimming in the bay just hours before it hit your plate.
Fowey is a town defined by the river. It is a haven for sailors, a muse for authors like Daphne du Maurier, and a maze of narrow medieval streets that tumble down to the water. Life here moves at the pace of the tides, with days spent pottering on boats or walking the steep cliffs that guard the estuary entrance.
Fowey is a town of two halves: the bustling, historic waterfront and the grand merchant houses perched high on the hills. Accommodation here ranges from luxury hotels that inspired The Wind in the Willows to cosy pubs where the river laps against the wall while you sleep.
Fowey (pronounced ‘Foy’ as in ‘Joy’) is one of Cornwall’s most chic sailing towns. The food scene here mirrors its atmosphere: stylish, slightly exclusive, but deeply connected to the river. You will find tiny seafood bars housed in converted boat garages, high-end Italian dining, and historic pubs with terraces that hang right over the water.
Charlestown is a living museum. It is the last open 18th-century Georgian harbour in the UK and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Walking along the quay feels like walking onto a film set—which is fitting, given it is the primary shooting location for Poldark, Doctor Who, and countless other period dramas.
Charlestown is one of the most atmospheric places to stay in Cornwall. Because the harbour is unspoilt and devoid of modern development, staying here feels like stepping back into the 18th century—especially when the tall ships are moored up and the sun is setting over the bay.