Discover Newlyn

Located just south of Penzance, Newlyn is a fascinatingly authentic Cornish town home to roughly 5,000 residents. The town proudly lays claim to being England’s biggest fishing port – in terms of quantity of fish landed, with a thriving and bustling harbour. It is a picturesque town with a strong artistic history and several thriving art galleries scattered throughout the town.

In the 1880s, Newlyn saw the arrival of many British artists, who came to the small town on the newly opened Great Western Railway to capture the spectacular Cornish landscape on canvas. Today, the Newlyn School of Art runs a wide range of art courses that attract visitors from far and wide.

With its fascinating maritime history, flourishing art scene and top-notch Michelin Guide restaurants, Newlyn is well worth a visit for anyone wanting to experience a different aspect of Cornwall.

Skip to:

• Newlyn FAQS
• Things to do in Newlyn
• Local attractions near Newlyn
• Newlyn pubs and places to eat

Newlyn FAQs

What is Newlyn famous for?

Newlyn is famous for its flourishing fishing fleet. The daily haul of fish makes Newlyn the largest fishing port in England by tonnage alone. The town is also famous for its art, with an art school and several galleries.

Is Newlyn worth visiting?

Newlyn is a charming and authentic, small Cornish coastal town. Behind the harbour is a maze of charming small streets and alleyways to explore. It is also home to the Newlyn Art Gallery, the popular Newlyn Filmhouse and several excellent restaurants.

Who owns Newlyn Harbour?

Newlyn Harbour is known as a Trust Port, established by parliament in 1906, and hence is run by an independent board of commissioners. It is neither privately nor publicly owned.

Does Newlyn have a beach?

Tolcarne Beach is the only beach in Newlyn. The rocky shingle that is visible at high tide gives way to a lovely stretch of sand at low tide. Although there are no facilities, it is a popular beach for walks and dogs are welcome all year round.

What fish are caught in Newlyn?

Newlyn fishermen land over 40 different types of fish, including mackerel, hake, turbot, prawns and Cornish crab. Most of the fish that is caught is exported, but much of it also ends up on the tables of both local Cornish restaurants and the tables of top eateries around the country.

Where is the Newlyn Today Observatory?

Used by the Ordnance Survey as the benchmark for establishing mean sea levels across the UK between 1915 and 1921, the Grade II-listed Newlyn Tidal Observatory is located on Newlyn’s South Pier.

Things to do in Newlyn

Newlyn Art Gallery

Photo credit: Newlyn Art Gallery, photo by Abbey Rumbellow

The Newlyn Art Gallery was built in 1895 by benefactor John Passmore Edwards to display the works of the Newlyn school artists and remains a popular gallery today, displaying the work of contemporary Cornish artists. Set close to the seafront, this intimate and charming gallery displays a range of works from painting to textiles, both here and in its second space known as The Exchange in Penzance. The gallery also has a lovely garden café where you can enjoy a coffee outside in the sunshine, and unusually for a gallery, dogs are allowed inside and out.

The Newlyn Filmhouse

Photo credit: The Newlyn Filmhouse

Uniquely located in a converted fish cellar and smokery dating back to 1876, the Newlyn Filmhouse is a magnet for cinema lovers. Opened in 2016, it shows a wide range of films, from Hollywood blockbusters and world cinema, to live screenings from National Theatre as well as independent arthouse films. The Filmhouse is also home to a restaurant – the Barr and Rastell (meaning Bar and Grill in Cornish), which is open daily, offering both lunch and early evening meals.

Newlyn Harbour

In constant working use for over 500 years, Newlyn Harbour is a bustling port with everything from large fishing trawlers to leisure craft continuously sailing in and out. Historically it was primarily used by fishermen catching pilchards in St Mount’s Bay which were then salted, packed and exported – mainly to Italy. It is a fascinating place to walk around before heading to a harbourside café to watch the maritime goings-on over a coffee or leisurely lunch. 

The backstreets of Newlyn Harbour are a delight and well worth exploring. Take time to stroll around the narrow lanes and cobbled alleyways, lined with stone terrace cottages, many of which are bedecked in plants and flowers. Several properties are whitewashed with pretty, blue doors, almost reminiscent of the backstreets of a Greek island village.

Local attractions near Newlyn

Penzance

Neighbouring Penzance is a lively coastal town that is well worth a visit if you are visiting Newlyn. It may only be within a stone’s throw of Newlyn, but it seems like a world away, with its bustling shops, lido, galleries and restaurants. The famous Jubilee Pool on the seafront was originally built in the 1930s and is the biggest of its kind in the UK. There are two open-air pools on the site; the original seawater pool and the adjacent geothermal pool, naturally warmed to a very comfortable 30 degrees. 

For those in need of a bit of retail therapy, Penzance offers some great shopping, with a wide selection of both high street chains and independent stores, from antiques and craft shops to bookstores and vintage clothing.

Trewidden Garden

Located just 1.5 miles inland from Newlyn, Trewidden Garden was established in the mid-19th century. It has been lovingly planted and nurtured for over 150 years by the Bolitho family, who are still the owners today. Most famously it is home to a superb collection of tree ferns, planted in what was originally the site of an open tin mine and creating a miniature jungle-like display. Known simply as Tree Fern Dell, it is unmissable when strolling around the gardens.

Other highlights include the collections of camellias and azaleas that provide a breathtaking display of colour in spring. Dogs are welcome throughout the garden, including in the charming café where you can round off your visit with a Cornish cream tea.

Mousehole

Just 2 miles south of Newlyn, beautiful Mousehole nestles in the hillside around its picturesque harbour. Historically a major fishing port, today the village is popular with visitors for its beautiful setting, higgledy-piggledy backstreets, sandy harbour beach, pubs and interesting little shops.

Take a boat trip from the harbour, to visit spectacular St Michael’s Mount, or go on a wildlife-spotting adventure along the coast where you may be lucky enough to spot basking seals. 

Newlyn pubs and places to eat

Argoe 

Located right on the harbour Argoe is a minimalist-designed fish restaurant which features in the Michelin Guide. Mainly serving dishes designed for sharing, it prides itself on offering locally caught fish cooked according to traditional European recipes, such as Newlyn crab with celeriac, hazelnuts and chervil, and steamed mussels with tarragon and cider. The menu can vary according to the daily catch. With a lovely, decked terrace overlooking the harbour, it is the perfect spot to enjoy a chilled glass of wine in the sunshine.

Mackerel Sky Seafood Bar

This charming and bijou eatery, Mackerel Sky Seafood Bar is set just a few minutes walk back from Newlyn Harbour and overlooks the river to one side. Unmissable with its bright white exterior and turquoise bistro tables set outside, it serves up a delicious array of locally caught fish and seafood. 

The interior is simple, with décor inspired by the maritime location. There are just a few rows of bar seating so it can get very busy at peak times. Children are welcome, as are four-legged family members. Whether you fancy a crab sandwich for lunch or a big plate of freshly battered fish and chips, it is a delightful place to sample the local seafood. Its sister restaurant, the Mackerel Sky Seafood Shack, also offers the same menu, but with table and chairs for seating, and is located just a few doors down from the Seafood Bar.

Fisherman’s Arms

With its premier location right on the seafront overlooking the harbour, Fisherman's Arms is the perfect place to relax and soak up the atmosphere of Newlyn. The fare on offer is traditional yet beautifully prepared, ranging from steaks and burgers to fish pie and fish and chips. The stylish and inviting interior still feels fresh, having been renovated after a fire swept through the premises in 2019. 

There are also two outside seating areas – one at ground level and another on the balcony upstairs, offering fabulous views of the harbour, where you can enjoy a meal or a drink and admire the sunset. The pub also offers coffee and cake should you fancy a mid-morning stop in the sunshine.

Tolcarne Inn

Another Newlyn restaurant to feature in the Michelin Guide, the cosy Tolcarne Inn sits right next to the harbour wall and is run by Cornish chef Ben Tunnicliffe. This 300-year-old building has seen a great deal of Newlyn’s history, but today it is a gem of a seafood restaurant, serving up delicious plates of food fresh from the sea. On cooler days, grab a table inside by the fire and feast on delights such as pistachio praline-crusted monkfish or seared scallops and hogs pudding. 

Or on a hot summer’s day, take a seat outside in the sunshine and enjoy a leisurely lunch of oysters or mussels with a bottle of something chilled. The puddings are to die for too, with mouthwatering delights such as tiramisu with red wine cherries or chocolate tart on offer. 

Stay at Newlyn

We have plenty of accommodation to choose from in and around characterful Newlyn, whether you are looking for a spacious and luxurious house with a fabulous view over the harbour, or a romantic cottage for two tucked away in one of Newlyn’s cobbled lanes. Simply click the link below to explore the options and we’ll help you plan your West Cornwall getaway.