Overview

The Old Coastguard is a charming seaside hotel in the quaint fishing village of Mousehole, close to the beaches and gardens of West Cornwall, the renowned Minack Theatre, the artists’ studios of Newlyn, Penzance, and St. Ives. The hotel warmly welcomes families with children of all ages, and its relaxed atmosphere makes it the perfect place to unwind. Kids can play safely in the garden, separated from the waves by a glass wall and a gate.

Activities

Kids can enjoy various on-site activities, including board games, books, and lawns to run around on. In addition, the property features a sunny lounge with breathtaking sea views and lawns leading to the water’s edge, where children can watch seagulls flying overhead and yachts bobbing in the waves. They might even glimpse dolphins frolicking in the water if you’re lucky.

If guests head through the garden gate at the bottom of the property, they can go rock pooling in the shallows or dip in the natural swimming pool that emerges from the waves at low tide. Alternatively, soak up the sunshine in the garden and enjoy the daily rhythm of life on the water.

For many, strolling around Mousehole is a fulfilling experience. This iconic Cornish harbour is home to a range of great cafes and restaurants and hidden galleries in its network of narrow streets.

Activities available on-site or nearby include birdwatching, boat trips, fishing, hiking, historical sites, museums/galleries, plantlife/flora, sailing, shopping/markets, surfing, swimming, theatre, and wildlife watching.

Food

The Coastguard is a friendly restaurant that serves Cornish meat, delicious vegetables, and fresh seafood. The restaurant’s delightfully mismatched tables add to its unique charm.

The menu features plenty of fish and seafood, quality Cornish beef and poultry, game from local estates, and cheeses from some of Britain’s best dairies. The traditional Brasserie menu takes good ingredients and gives them a classic treatment. The menu changes slightly throughout the seasons to ensure the restaurant serves the best possible dishes.

The restaurant is an excellent place for families. It has a protected garden where children can amuse themselves while parents relax. There are short menus for very young children and slightly older ones, and a free glass of apple juice is included. The restaurant is always happy to accommodate guests with dietary requirements.

The focus is on simple, tasty food done well. The lunch and dinner menus change regularly but always feature an excellent selection of surf and turf and a few tempting vegetarian options. The restaurant sources most of its ingredients locally, with meat and dairy from Cornish farms and fish straight from the boats in Newlyn.

The relaxed atmosphere is perfect for long, lazy meals, whether inside or outside. In the evening, the restaurant becomes cozy by candlelight.

Breakfast is included in the rate and is just as good as the lunch and dinner offerings. Guests can enjoy a buffet of fresh fruit, Cornish apple juice, homemade granola, pastries, local honey and marmalade, and a choice of cooked options. Vegetarians will find the hot choices needing improvement, but they can always order off-menu.

The bar serves home-baked cakes, teas, cappuccinos, local ales, wines, and carefully crafted cocktails. Guests can enjoy these treats in a fireside armchair or outside under the sun. If guests are lucky, they may spot a whale or pod of dolphins passing by as they sip tea on the sundeck. Down at the water’s edge, they’ll find the Crabshack, serving drinks and seafood snacks during the day (weather permitting).

Guests staying for a few nights and wanting some variety can find a couple of good restaurants in the village, including the bistro-style 2 Fore Street. They can also drive out to The Old Coastguard’s sister property, The Gurnards Head, just across the moors. Those on a dinner, bed, and breakfast deal can transfer their table reservation at no extra cost.

Accommodation

The hotel has 14 bedrooms, most offering views of the Cornish inland waters, St. Michael’s Mount, and the Lizard. The rooms are decorated with tongue-and-groove paneling, checked fabrics, and antiques, with cheerful shades of mustard yellow, brick red, and sky blue. Each room comes with homely touches such as blankets, Roberts radios, White Company toiletries, tea- and coffee-making kit, homemade biscuits, and books to browse. Most rooms have sea views, and some have outdoor space. The hotel has one room with a small adjoining twin room, perfect for small families or groups of adults.

The hotel offers cots and extra beds, and children under five stay free. Rollaway beds or baby cots can be added to most rooms. Better Double Room 6 is handy for families, as it’s made up of 2 adjoining bedrooms, one double and the other a double or twin. Note that some rooms have showers only, so for those wanting a tub, request this when booking.

All rooms have en suite bathrooms, most with baths, others with showers.

Nearby

Mousehole is a picturesque fishing village in Cornwall. Its narrow streets are lined with charming granite houses surrounding the bustling harbour. It is situated near the vibrant artists’ colony of Newlyn and Penzance. The world-renowned open-air Minack Theatre, which offers a dramatic setting that can easily overshadow the performance on stage, is just 8 miles to the west.

This area offers some of the most breathtaking coastal scenery in the world, and it’s right on the doorstep. Walking out the back of Mousehole, guests can head to the cliffs in just over ten minutes. Plan foraging walks with Caroline Davey (Fat Hen) or take a more serious hike along the Coastal Footpath.

For those with greater ambition, this area offers many adventurous activities, such as surfing at Sennen Beach or exploring Penwith on two wheels with bikes that can be rented from a local provider. Dolphin watching is also available with a local team.

The area is home to numerous art galleries, including famous ones like the Tate St. Ives and Hepworth galleries and independent ones like the Essex Tyler in Mousehole, Penlee in Penzance, and Newlyn Art Gallery and The Exchange. They offer enough art to keep the art lover busy for days.

Sennen Cove, located just north of Land’s End, is the most famous beach in the area. It is long, sandy, and popular with surfers. However, our favourite coves are on this more protected coastline, although they require a long walk down the cliffs.

Guests often spot marine wildlife from The Old Coastguard, but to increase your chances of a sighting, book a catamaran trip with Marine Discovery Penzance (available from March to November). Visitors take to the waves in search of dolphins, porpoises, sunfish, and grey seals, and you might even come across minke whales, basking sharks, and leatherback turtles.

Numerous activities for kids are nearby, such as rock pooling and crabbing, surfing lessons at Sennen Cove (with a lifeguard on duty), exploring the subtropical gardens and castle on St Michael’s Mount, and visiting the haunting remains of the Levant Mine and Beam Engine.

Visitors can also stroll along the shore to Mousehole Harbour, to watch boats come and go and enjoy local galleries, delis, and cafes. Follow the coastal path around the headland to rugged Lamorna Cove, where there is a shop selling starfish, shells, and local crafts, and a pretty little cafe. Also, head to Porthcurno to enjoy the white sand and clear water.

Summary

This hotel is located by the coastal path leading to Mousehole, one of the most beautiful villages in Cornwall. The village has a sandy beach where children can play during low tide. In 1595, the Spanish attacked the town, but since then, it has remained peaceful, with several restaurants and galleries. The hotel is casual, provides excellent value for money, and has a relaxed staff and great food.