Mousehole and it's picturesque Harbour
Mousehole (pronounced Mousal; Cornish: Porthynys) is a village and fishing port near Newlyn, reputed to have one of the most beautiful harbours in the country. Mousehole is currently within the parish boundaries of the town of Penzance. Offshore from Mousehole is an islet called St Clement's Isle.
Mousehole, along with Marazion, was until the 16th century one of the principal ports of Mount's Bay. Before its decline as a major commercial centre, Mousehole also had a number of fairs and markets, including the charter for a market on Tuesdays, with a fair for three days at the festival of St Barnabas, granted to Henry de Tyes in 1292. Mousehole, like many communities in Mount's Bay, fell within the authority of the Manor of Alverton; all early charters, fairs etc. associated with Mousehole are associated with this manorial estate.
Mousehole, like the most of Mount's Bay, was destroyed in the 1595 raid on Mount's Bay by Spanish invaders, the only surviving building being the 'Keigwin Arms', a local pub (now a private residence). Dolly Pentreath, who is often accorded the status of last native speaker of the Cornish language, is often listed as coming from Mousehole. There is a small memorial to her in Mousehole itself, although a larger one exists in the nearby parish of Paul, which is historically the mother church and mother community of Mousehole.