Mousehole (pronounced 'Mowzel') is a small fishing village in West Cornwall about three miles South of Penzance. Every Christmas Mousehole's pretty harbour is decorated with a spectacular display of lights. As well as the harbour, the surrounding pubs, shops and houses are decorated and the illuminations extend up the road leading out of Mousehole to the South.

Mousehole themes

As well as familiar Christmas themes, the lights are based on old Mousehole stories and legends. On the harbour wall below the Ship Inn you can see a Stargazey pie. Legend has it that this local fish dish was originally prepared in honour of Mousehole fisherman Tom Bawcock, who braved persistent storms to land seven different types of fish, much to the relief of Mousehole residents who'd gone without for a fortnight. Every year on 23rd December - Tom Bawcock's Eve, Stargazey pie is cooked and served at the Ship Inn.

To the left of the Stargazey pie you can see the Mousehole Cat, the subject of the well-known children's book by Antonia Barber.

Display dates

The display usually starts around the middle of December and continues to the end of the first week in January. The lights are switched on at around five pm and are turned off at eleven. For full details take a look at the official Mousehole Christmas lights website.

On 19 December the lights are turned off between eight and nine pm in memory of the crew of the Penlee lifeboat Solomon Browne which was lost with its entire crew of eight on 19 December 1981 while attempting to rescue the crew of the MV Union Star in hurricane force winds. The eight crew aboard the Union Star also died.

2009, will see the 46th display of Christmas lights in Mousehole. The lights are created, maintained and erected by volunteers from Mousehole and are funded by contributions from the public.