Penzance Travel Guide - Newlyn, Cornwall

Located just a mile west of Penzance, the fishing port of Newlyn is home to the largest fleet of fishing boats in the South of England and the landing of fish at the market on the quay makes a very significant contribution to the economy of the entire area. The village, which is joined to the western end of Penzance, does retain its own separate identity. It is clustered around the harbour, with both its old quay curling around a few small boats on the western side and the much larger quays in the centre and on the eastern side of the harbour, against which are often moored the many trawlers, long-liners and other members of the fishing fleet. Newlyn harbour is the home base of the local lifeboat, the 'Mabel Alice', which replaced the previous boat, the 'Solomon Browne', which was so sadly lost at sea with all hands some fifteen years ago - thereby serving as a reminder of the hazards faced daily by those who earn their living from the sea.

The bustle and activity of the port give the visitor a fascinating glimpse into this dangerous and hard-working industry which has for long been the mainstay of this community. On a road leading back from the harbour will be found the Pilchard Museum which has recently been established to show how this small, yet so vital, fish - once the major product of the local industry - is processed and packed for shipment to an eager public all over the world.

There are numerous small streets and alleys behind the main road which runs around the harbour connecting Penzance and Mousehole. Many of these streets have unusual names such as The Fradgan, Gwavas Quay and Bowjey Hill. Amongst these narrow streets are fisherman's cottages and pubs which are very much the home territory of the locals, but where visitors are always made welcome.

Off the promenade leading from Penzance into Newlyn is the Newlyn Orion Gallery which exhibits the work of a wide variety of artistic talent, with particular emphasis on the work, past and present, of local artists in both contemporary and traditional fields. While small, it has a reputation belying its size and is well known around the world.