Tag: Mousehole
Mousehole Christmas Light Switch on 2019
December 09th, 2019
While many villages, towns and cities around the country will have long been illuminated with the glow of Christmas lights, one village in Cornwall saves this special moment for when the festive season is well underway. Mousehole, a village and fishing port near Penzance, offers one of the most impressive light displays in the county. Making the most of the waterside location, many of the Mousehole Christmas lights float in the water, illuminating the harbour with an impressive display of light. Now in their 56th year of incredible festive lighting, we share all the details you need to enjoy the Christmas glow this holiday season.
Christmas doesn’t truly start in Cornwall until the switch-on of this stunning light show. This year, the lights will be turned on during an evening of entertainment on the 14th of December 2019. The light switch-on night on Saturday 14th will include an open-air Carolaire service, including singing and music from the Carolaire Choir and Pendeen Silver Band. The choir comprises of the union of many local choirs, including the Mousehole Male Voice Choir, Mousehole Methodist Church, and community singers. The switch-on event is free, as is viewing the lights throughout the month until they are taken down following the 4th of January. If the weather is poor on the 14th of December, then the Carolaire service will be held in the Mousehole Methodist Church instead of on the North Quay.
After the lights are switched on, they will be turned on each evening between 5pm and 11pm until the 4th. On the 19th December, the lights will be dimmed between 8-9pm, so avoid visiting at this time if you would like to see the lights in all their glory!
As well as the Harbour being full of light, the village itself will also be aglow with festive decorations and illuminations. Lanterns lead you down the winding passages and streets of the village, and you’ll be able to spot an assortment of quaint local shops, cafes and houses.
You’ll also be able to spot the Celtic Cross light that stands proud on St Clements Island, 500m off the coast from Mousehole. The lights that illuminate the cross are powered by solar energy, making part of the display more environmentally friendly.
The Christmas lights have been a part of Mouseholes’ festive calendar since 1963, when a local artist, Joan Gillchrest added strings of lights along the harbour to brighten the area and bring in some festive cheer. Since then, the displays have only gotten bigger and brighter, with the largest piece which reads ‘Merry Christmas Happy New Year’ containing around 1000 lightbulbs!
While you’re in Mousehole, why not celebrate the magic of the area with a visit to the theatre to see a performance of ‘The Mousehole Cat’. Antonia Barber’s classic children’s story is brought to life in this live action and puppet production. Based on a Cornish legend, the heartwarming story involves a local Mousehole fisherman, Tom Bawcock and his loyal cat, Mowzer, who brave a storm to catch fish for the village.
For those planning on visiting on the lights switch-on date, be sure to check for road closure details, as some roads are set to shut prior to the lights switch on. Parking may also be harder to find on this night, as it is quite a popular event, so parking outside of the village or getting the park and ride bus may be a better transport option for this night. Following the switch on night, from the 15th December to 4th January, all roads are set to be open as usual, making visiting Mousehole a little easier if you just want to see the lights!
If you’re planning on visiting Cornwall this Christmas, then there is plenty for you to do to feel festive. Check out our Christmas What’s On Guide or our Christmas Itinerary for suggestions on how to have festive fun! If you need a place to stay while you enjoy the Christmas cheer, our luxury cottages are perfect for last-minute Cornwall short breaks!
Mousehole Christmas Lights Switch On 2018
December 06th, 2018
UPDATE FOR 2019: Mousehole Light Switch on 2019
Christmas doesn’t truly start in Cornwall until the impressive lights surrounding Mousehole harbour are switched on each year. One of the most stunning light displays in the county, the event is turned into an evening of festive entertainment, with performances from various local choirs.
For those who haven’t seen the Mousehole Christmas lights before, you may be wondering what the big deal is. Unlike many other towns, Mousehole truly makes the most of its waterside location, illuminating their harbour with an incredible floating display of lights.
The big switch on will be taking place on Saturday 15th December this year at 6.30pm, and the lights will remain on each day from 5pm to 11pm until the 4th January, giving you plenty of time to pop down and see them! As part of the switch on, there will be a community singing performance, led by the Mousehole Male Voice Choir and the Mousehole Methodist Church Choir.
The village itself will also be aglow with colour, with decorations displayed on every street and lanterns leading you down the winding passages. Here you will find an assortment of quaint local gift shops and cafes.
You’ll also be able to spot the Celtic Cross light that stands proud on St Clements Island, 500m off the coast from Mousehole. The lights that illuminate the cross are powered by solar energy, making part of the display more environmentally friendly.
The Christmas lights have been a part of Mouseholes’ festive calendar since 1963, when a local artist, Joan Gillchrest added strings of lights along the harbour to brighten the area and bring in some festive cheer. Since then, the displays have only gotten bigger and brighter, with the largest piece which reads ‘Merry Christmas Happy New Year’ containing around 1000 lightbulbs!
For those planning on visiting on the lights switch-on date, be sure to check for road closure details, as some roads are set to shut prior to the lights switch on. Parking may also be harder to find on this night, so parking outside of the village or getting the park and ride bus may be a better transport option for this night. Following the switch on night, from the 16th December to 4th January, all roads are set to be open as usual, making visiting Mousehole a little easier if you just want to see the lights!
If you are thinking of visiting Mousehole this Christmas, then be sure to check out their charming performance of The Mousehole Cat, a live-action adaptation of the classic children’s book by Antonia Barber. A perfect play for families, the performance lasts for an hour and tickets cost £11 each. Two or three performances are running each day between the 15th December and the 31st December 2018.
Planning on visiting Cornwall this Christmas? There’s plenty to see and do this year, including Christmas activitiesand Christmas markets! If you’re looking for a place to stay then you certainly can’t beat our 5-star cottages in Cornwall!
6 Instagram Accounts That Will Make You Want to Move to Cornwall Immediately
June 24th, 2018
We all know that Instagram is jam-packed full of inspirational and aspirational images for all areas of your life, but sometimes it can be hard to find the perfect accounts to follow. We’ve rounded up some of our very favourites who post about all things Cornwall. They’re bound to inspire you to book a trip to the South sometime soon!
@cornwall_lover
Cornwall based travel enthusiast Lowenna posts some of the greatest seaside pictures out there. Scrolling through her Instagram, you’ll think it’s the Caribbean rather than the Cornish coast! With every image transforming the coastal county into a tropical fantasy, this is a must follow for those longing to return to the beautiful beaches.
@beccaincornwall
Becca is based in Cornwall, posting beautiful pictures of St Ives and Mousehole. Her Instagram is incredibly neat, with a clear colour scheme; each picture framed by a clean white border. Here you’ll find a quaint little world of streets lined by tiny houses and picturesque bays.
@kernow_shots
A clear fan of the sea, Lee from @kernow_shots has some of the best seaside snaps there are. From idyllic, calm summer beach days to immense shots of crashing waves, every image is overflowing with beauty. He also regularly features the quaint seaside towns and picturesque villages that border these seas, showcasing some of the very best of Cornish life. Lee also runs the fantastic @explorecornwall account, which reposts some of the very best photos taken throughout the county, via the hashtag ‘#explorecornwall’.
@aerialcornwall
See Cornwall from a different perspective with this incredible Instagram endeavour. Using drones, the team take stunning shots of Cornwall’s coast from above. If you love these snaps as much as we do, they’re also available for sale via their website!
@360beachescornwall
With so many incredible beaches in the county of Cornwall, there are a wealth of picture-perfect moments to capture along the coast. Arguably, anyone can take a good picture of something as stunning as this coastline, but there is certainly something extra about the photos posted to this account that really highlights the beauty of the area. If you take a trip to the area, be sure to tag your posts with ‘#360beaches’ and you could find your images being shared with their followers.
@jacobdown_
Jacob is an artist and architect living in St Ives, and this is certainly apparent in his photography, making use of lines, geometry and more abstract concepts in his images. As well as posting gorgeous skyscapes, and seaside shots, he plays around with the exposure, resulting in some truly incredible imagery.
After seeing these gorgeous snaps, are you desperate to come and visit the stunning Cornish coastline? Check out the amazing luxury family holidays in Cornwall we have available here at The Valley! Be sure to take a look at the gorgeous pictures on our own Instagram too!
