Mousehole

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Mousehole

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Mousehole is a pretty fishing village only three miles from Penzance. Mousehole, pronounced Mowzol, still retains its Cornish character, with narrow streets, granite housing and still worked fishing harbour.

Mousehole Harbour

Views of Mousehole Harbour Courtesy Of Graham's Weather Pages

Mousehole is considerably smaller than Penzance. However in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries it was of higher commercial importance, as a fishing harbour. From this period very little exists, as Mousehole was sacked and burnt by the Spanish in 1595. One building still stands the Keigwin Arms.

Outside the Keigwin Arms is a plaque with the following wording.

Squire Jenkyn Keigwin was killed here 23RD July 1595 defending this house against the Spaniards.

Mousehole was burned but the house spared.

It is now the oldest in the village built circa 14TH Cent.

Keigwin Arms Mousehole

Two Views of Keigwin Arms

A famous tradition in Mousehole is that of Tom Bawcock's Eve. This is celebrated on the eve of Christmas Eve. The story goes that in the distant past, the sea was too stormy for the fishing boats to go to sea, and the people of the village faced starvation. Brave Tom Bawcock ventured out and caught sufficient fish to feed the village. The catch was made into a dish, Stargazy Pie. In honour of this, Stargazy Pie, a composite of different fish with their heads still on protruding through the pie top, is served on this day.

As well as Tom Bawcock's Eve, there is another attraction. Mousehole's Christmas Lights. The decoration sets are made up of over seven thousand bulbs and miles of wiring. The purpose of the event is to raise money for charity.

On 19TH December the christmas lights are turned off for an hour between 2000 and 2100. This is done in memory of the Solomon Browne Lifeboat crew, brave men who gave their lives whilst rescuing others.

Mousehole has had it famous inhabitants. Dorothy Yglesias MBE and Phylliss Yglesias founded and ran the Mousehole Wild Bird Hospital & Sanctuary.

The Mousehole Wild Bird Hospital & Sanctuary 01736 731386 helps about 1500 wild birds a year, visitors are welcome.

Sanctuary Enterance (Raginnis Hill)

Sanctuary Enterance (Raginnis Hill)

Injured Bird Housing

Injured Bird Housing

One of the last native speakers of Cornish Dolly Pentreath, who died in 1777 lived in Mousehole. Additionally there is a connection with Dylan Thomas who spent some time here. It is reputed that Llargyb in Under Milk Wood is based on the village.

PENLEE CARAVAN PARK

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