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Mevagissey; the name
derives from the fact that the beautiful village of Mevagissey was
named
after two Irish Saints, (Meva and Issey ) Irish missionaries who came
to
the area in the 6th century
to convert the local
population to Christianity. The actual meaning of the
villages name translates from old Cornish as "the towns of Meva and
Issey". So it is easy to see that the village has a very long history
indeed. The reason for the villages existence was of course, fishing
and
today it is still a working fishing port. One of Mevagissey's many
attractions is you can still walk down to the harbour and watch the
fishing boats sail out to the fishing grounds, or visiting yacht owners
who are sailing Cornish waters for the harbour
also provides mooring facilities. If you are
nautically minded you can
also hire boats for a trip around the bay. For those who like
a bit more active adventure, they can book a shark fishing
outing, or go out for a days deep sea fishing.
A thriving fishing industry had been built up
around the village of Mevagissey . At the time a medieval quay existed
in the region of the present East
Quay. However this did not offer much protection against the
onslaught
of easterly gales. With this in mind a group of businessmen, land
owners and local clergy brought together the necessary requirements to
set in motion the Act of Parliament to enable the construction of East
and West
Quays. This petition was successful and thus, the new and improved
Mevagissey Harbour which was set
up as a Trust Harbour
was constructed. I recommend walking down to
Mevagissey Harbour, as the
streets are very narrow and twisting and are
definitely unsuitable to for motor vehicles, and it is a
great way to window shop as there are a variety of
interesting shops which include souviner
shops, book shops. fishing shops and galleries. Mevagissey
Museum is located in the old boathouse and houses a fascinating
collection of exhibits and information regarding the history.
of this delightful village. Nearby is the re-knowned Eden project, it
was primarly an idea thought up by Tim Smit
and shows how man has interacted with plants, for its object is to
educate you about man's relationship with and dependence upon plants.
In two giant Biomes which
are the biggest
conservatories in the world. Within these Biomes are over
5,000 species from many of the climatic zones of the world. Many of
these plants grow unaided in the mild Cornish climate, others
however need
greenhouses. The lost gardens of Heligan.
These gardens lay undiscovered for over 70 years, till 1990 when they
were restored to their former glory and now are regarded as
one of the finest gardens in a country renowned for it's fine gardens.
At the harbour is the Mevagissey Harbour Aquarium, which is a
wonderful insight in to the fish and animals that live in
Cornish waters.
Much of the coast is
under the auspices of the National
Trust. And one gets a wonderful view of Gorran Haven a very quiescent
Cornish Hamlet, and an spectacular view across Falmouth Bay
from the 400ft high Dodman Point. Nearer to Megavissy is the unique
South
Coastal Path. Walking the path 3 miles south
west of Mevagissey will bring you to the small picturesque 13th-century
village of Gorran Haven, which is ideal for families with small
children, for it has a safe,
sandy beach, it is the place to sunbath as it is a real
sun trap. . The village sits in the lee of
the spectacular 400-ft high Dodman Point which has traces of an Iron
Age
fort.
The heart of Gorran Haven is a cluster of fishermen's
cottages, nestling
around a secluded cove which remains much the same as in years gone
by. The main beach is accessible to all, and all
facilities
are close by including a large car park. The harbour is sheltered by a
stone
quay; which protects the fishing boats from the fierce winter storms
that ravage the coast. Here there are also facilities available to
arrange off-shore fishing trips and
moorings
for many of the boating enthusiasts who cruise Cornish
waters. If you walk west of
Gorran Point
you will find Portmellon were most of the houses are sturdily
constructed, and well protected
from the winter storms by window shutters. Further on you will
find Nare Head with its wonderful views across
Veryan Bay and also of the Dodman. Also nearby is Hemmick
Beach a lovely isolated quiet beach which is
reachable by driving down narrow beautifully scenic Cornish country
lanes. Another
great beach for all the family is Porthluney Beach which provides
plenty of parking facilities and has the added bonus of beautiful
Caerhays Castle. Caerhays Castle which was completed in 1810, was
build by the famous architect, John Nash, for the
Trevanion family. The Castle is an English Heritage Grade 1 Listed
Building. which provides the village witgh a spectacular
backdrop
Yes with its beautiful location, fantastic beaches, historic villages,
and harbour, plus interesting shops,
museum and plenty of places to eat and relax Mevagissey is certainly a
great
place to
holiday
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