The tiny fishing port of Mousehole (pronounced Mauzel) in Cornwall is a charming place to visit any time of year. In the summer, its picture-postcard circular harbour and fishing boats are a draw for tourists. They stroll the narrow streets with ice-cream in hand, occasionally dipping into tea-shops, most of them blissfully unaware the whole village was destroyed (except for a single house) by a Spanish attack in 1595.
In the cold depths of winter, the visitors don their warm jackets and return at night for one of the notable events on the village’s calendar: The Mousehole Harbour Christmas lights. For over 40 years now, the lights have been a highlight (no pun intended) of the Festive season in Cornwall.
The Mousehole Harbour Lights consist of nearly 10,000 bulbs. They are illuminated between 5pm and 11pm, from mid-December until just after New Year, with one sad exception. Every year on December 19th at 8pm, the lights are turned off for one hour, to commemorate the eight crew members of the Penlee Lifeboat (all from Mousehole) who lost their lives performing their duty on that day in 1981.
After braving the cold to see the lights, there’s plenty of opportunities to warm yourself back up, with a hot chocolate or perhaps a festive mulled wine. And if you’re hungry, there’s always some locally caught fish, or even a Cornish pasty, to be had. With chips, of course!
This post was inspired by the photo themes of Festive from The Daily Post and Cold from Jennifer’s Weekly Weather Challenge, together with Jo’s Monday Walk and Cee’s Odd Ball Photo Challenge.
The first two Jaspa’s Journey adventures, The Great Migration and The Pride of London, are now available in both paperback and ebook formats! Click here for more information. The third instalment, Jaspa’s Waterloo, is scheduled to be released by Speaking Volumes early next year.
Jaspa’s Journey: Perfect for Kids 8 – 80!
If you’re the sort of person that loves experiencing the wonders of nature on your travels, why not sign up and follow my continuing Journeys here at Jaspa’s Journal (on WordPress or Bloglovin’), or through my website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Tumblr?
What a lovely Christmas share, Jaspa! I’ve only been to Mousehole once, many years ago, with my Dad, who died in October. I have only the dimmest of memories but you’ve made them shine brightly. Wishing you joy this Christmas. 🙂
Happy to have reminded you of fun times with your Dad, Jo!
Christmas lights are night are so magical.
Always, Cee! Hope you had a wonderful Christmas!
Beautiful, thank you for sharing and our best wishes 🙂
I return the warm wishes!
Pingback: Jo’s Monday walk : Boxing Day Blues | restlessjo
You got some beautiful shots:)
Thanks, Pat!
Pingback: Weekly Weather: Dry – Jennifer Nichole Wells