Holiday rentals and lettings in Mevagissey

Table of contents

• At a glance: what should you know about renting a holiday rental in Mevagissey?
• Holiday rentals in Mevagissey: find your perfect retreat
• Exploring Mevagissey: our top recommendations
• Activities: what are the top things to do and see in Mevagissey?

• Cottages and coastal homes: Choose from harbourside cottages, family holiday homes and self-catering retreats, many with sea views, gardens or terraces, suited to couples, families and groups of friends alike.
• Where to base yourself: Stay in the heart of the working harbour, in quieter Portmellon and Gorran Haven, or across on the Roseland Peninsula for peaceful coves and coastal walks.
• What our guests say: Guests praise the friendly harbour setting, easy access to beaches and the South West Coast Path, and the relaxed pace of this classic Cornish fishing village.
• Best time to visit: Summer is liveliest and warmest for the beaches, late spring and early autumn bring quieter lanes and food festivals, whilst winter offers cosy nights by the fire.
• Top things to do: Wander the harbour, walk the coast path to Gorran Haven, explore the Lost Gardens of Heligan and the Eden Project, and take a boat trip along the coast.

Mevagissey offers a warm mix of self-catering accommodation, from characterful holiday cottages tucked along the harbour to spacious holiday homes set back on the hillside with sweeping sea views. Most properties come well equipped for a relaxed Cornish holiday, with popular amenities including:

• Wi-Fi throughout
• Private gardens, terraces or balconies
• Pet-friendly amenities
• Well-equipped kitchens
• Dedicated parking spaces

For more choice, browse holiday cottages and holiday homes across the UK if your dates in the village are booked up.

What are the best areas to stay in Mevagissey?

The heart of the village around Mevagissey harbour is the most popular base, but quieter spots nearby suit those after a calmer stay. The table below details regions for specific interests:

What do our guests say?

Guests who stay in Mevagissey often return, and it's easy to see why. Visitors regularly highlight the friendly welcome, the charm of the working harbour on the doorstep, and how quickly they can be out on the South West Coast Path or down on the beach. Here are some of our highest-rated properties from the last year:

1. Cottage 'Blue Crab Cottage' with garden - 10: Guests love this six-person cottage's central location and quiet garden. Pets are welcome to join in the fun.
2. Cottage 'Lowenna' with patio and parking - 9.2: This charming cottage for two is popular with guests in search of a romantic getaway. Set high on a hill, it offers unrivalled privacy for couples.
3. Cottage 'Memory' with harbour view - 9.2: This charming property is set in what was once a fisherman's loft, offering a holiday that oozes character. With space for four, it's ideal for family getaways.

Mevagissey is a historic fishing village on the south coast of Cornwall, tucked into a sheltered bay about six miles south of St Austell and close to the Roseland Peninsula.

✈️What is the best way to get to Mevagissey?

Getting to Mevagissey is straightforward, with options by rail and road. Here are the most common ways to get to the village:

• Train: There's no station in Mevagissey itself, but the Cornish Main Line runs to nearby St Austell, around six miles away, with direct services from London Paddington via Plymouth and Bodmin Parkway. From St Austell you can pick up a local bus or taxi for the short final leg down to the harbour.
• Car: Most visitors arrive by car, leaving the A30 or A38 for the A390 towards St Austell, then following the B3273 south through Pentewan and over the hill into the village. The lanes are narrow and steep, so most guests use the main village car park above the harbour rather than parking on the quay.

🥗Where to eat in Mevagissey?

According to Google Maps data and reviews, Salamander Restaurant is the best-rated restaurant in Mevagissey. Below is a table showing the top 5 highly-rated restaurants hand-picked by our travel experts.

⭐Our guests' recommendation: Our guest travellers Emma and James recommend the Fountain Inn in Mevagissey: this cosy 15th-century pub down a narrow side street pours proper Cornish ales and serves generous plates after a long day on the coast path.

☀️When is the best time to visit?

The best time to visit Mevagissey depends on what you're after. July and August bring the warmest weather and the liveliest harbour, ideal for beach days and boat trips. For quieter lanes and lower rates, aim for late spring or early autumn, when the South West Coast Path is at its most beautiful.

Summer

• Best for: Beach days, boat trips and busy harbour life.
• Weather: Warm and bright, with long evenings and sea temperatures at their most inviting.
• Atmosphere: Lively and bustling, with festivals, full pubs and plenty of families about.

Spring

• Best for: Coastal walks, gardens and quieter sightseeing.
• Weather: Mild and fresh, with wildflowers along the cliffs and the odd shower.
• Atmosphere: Relaxed and uncrowded, with a gentle build-up towards the summer season.

Autumn

• Best for: Cosy stays, food festivals and dramatic sea views.
• Weather: Cooler and changeable, with crisp, clear days between the showers.
• Atmosphere: Peaceful and welcoming, with cottages at their cosiest by the fire.

⭐Our hosts' recommendation: Our Mevagissey local host, Charlotte, recommends setting aside a morning for the walk along the South West Coast Path to Gorran Haven, then rewarding yourself with a fresh crab sandwich back on the quay. Ask your host for the quieter coves that the day-trippers tend to miss.

1. Wander Mevagissey's working harbour
2. Explore the Lost Gardens of Heligan
3. Walk the coast path to Gorran Haven
4. Discover the Eden Project
5. Take a boat trip along the coast

1. Wander Mevagissey's working harbour

   Start where the village began, on the twin quays of the harbour. Watch fishing boats land the day's catch, browse the little galleries and pasty shops, and pick up a boat trip for mackerel fishing or a coastal cruise. The Mevagissey Museum, set in an old boatbuilding shed on the quay, tells the story of the town's pilchard-fishing past and is free to enter.

2. Explore the Lost Gardens of Heligan

   Just a few miles inland lie the Lost Gardens of Heligan, one of Britain's best-loved gardens. Wander the restored Victorian kitchen gardens, the subtropical jungle with its rope bridge, and the famous mud sculptures of the Mud Maid and the Giant's Head.

3. Walk the coast path to Gorran Haven

   The South West Coast Path runs right through the village, and the stretch south to Gorran Haven is one of the prettiest short walks in the area. Expect wildflowers, hidden coves and wide sea views, with the sandy beach at Gorran Haven as your reward.

4. Discover the Eden Project

   A short drive north near St Austell, the Eden Project is home to the world's largest indoor rainforest, housed inside its striking biomes. Explore towering tropical plants, Mediterranean gardens and changing seasonal events, from summer concerts to winter ice-skating. It's a brilliant rainy-day option and one of Cornwall's most popular attractions.

5. Take a boat trip along the coast

   From the harbour you can join a boat trip to spot seals, seabirds and even dolphins, try your hand at mackerel fishing, or hop on a seasonal ferry to explore further along the coast. Prefer to stay on dry land? The nearby beaches at Pentewan and Portmellon are lovely for a swim, and there's great camping across the UK if you fancy a canvas adventure elsewhere in Britain.