Newlyn

The settlement is recorded as Nulyn in 1279 and as Lulyn in 1290, the name probably derived from the Cornish for ‘pool for a fleet of boats’. Newlyn (Cornish ‘Lulynn’) has long been associated with fishing, today it is the base for around 200 vessels, which vary greatly in size, and whose valuable catches are now shipped around Britain and Europe in massive refrigerated lorries. It’s a refreshing contrast to the dwindling activity evident in most of Cornwall’s other ports. The fishing industry, like other industries, was spurred on by the arrival of the railways - at Newlyn in 1859 - which allowed the swift transportation of fresh fish and seafood to London and beyond. Before the coming of railways, the fish had to be salted to preserve them. The Pilchard Works in the town continues to produce a range of fish products, employing traditional methods and using fish from sustainable stocks. The Newlyn Fish Festival celebrates the Cornish fish industry over the August bank holiday, with samplings of local seafood as well as exhibitions of craftwork and Cornish entertainment.

Fishing is not the only reason for visiting Newlyn. Drawn to the town by the exceptionally clear natural light, Stanhope Forbes came here in the 1880s to paint outside rather than in a studio. He was soon joined by other artists keen to experience the joys of working here and the Newlyn School of art developed with the help of artists such as Lamorna Birch, Alfred Munnings, Norman Garstin and Laura Knight. The town is still a favourite place for artists, and the Newlyn Art Gallery, founded in 1895 by the Cornishman Passmore Edwards, shows the paintings of those living and working here today, together with changing exhibitions of the Newlyn artists past and present.

In 1755 the Lisbon earthquake over 1,000 miles away caused a tsunami to strike the Cornish coast. The sea rose 10 feet in 10 minutes at Newlyn, ebbed at the same rate, and continued to rise and fall for 5 hours.