The harbour provides good protection except during strong southeasterly conditions, which send an uncomfortable surge into the harbour. Newlyn is the locality’s port of refuge, offering safe access at all states of the tide, night or day, and in all reasonable conditions. The only exception is during strong south round to east winds, when its shallow waters can prove challenging. The harbour may still be approached during these conditions, but only as close to high water as possible.
Keyfacts for Newlyn
Nature
Considerations
Protected sectors
Summary
A good location with safe access.Nature
Considerations
Position and approaches
Haven position
50° 6.182' N, 005° 32.564' WThis is the position of the light at the head of Newlyn's South Pier, Fl.5s10m9M.
What is the initial fix?
What are the key points of the approach?
- From the southeast, keep clear of the Mountamopus Shoal, which is located about 4½ miles from Newlyn and marked by a cardinal.
- Approach from east, steering for the lighthouse at the head of the South Pier Fl.5s9M.
- From the southwest, avoid Low Lee Rock, also marked by a cardinal.
- Vessels approaching from Penzance and Saint Michael's Mount should avoid the Gear Rock.
Not what you need?
- Penzance Harbour - 1 nautical miles NNE
- Mousehole - 1.2 nautical miles S
- Saint Michael's Mount - 2.7 nautical miles ENE
- Porthleven Harbour - 8.8 nautical miles E
- Mullion Cove & Porth Mellin - 12.1 nautical miles ESE
- Kynance Cove - 14.4 nautical miles ESE
- Cadgwith - 15.7 nautical miles ESE
- Helford River - 16 nautical miles E
- Gillan Creek - 17.4 nautical miles E
- Coverack - 17.9 nautical miles ESE
- Penzance Harbour - 1 miles NNE
- Mousehole - 1.2 miles S
- Saint Michael's Mount - 2.7 miles ENE
- Porthleven Harbour - 8.8 miles E
- Mullion Cove & Porth Mellin - 12.1 miles ESE
- Kynance Cove - 14.4 miles ESE
- Cadgwith - 15.7 miles ESE
- Helford River - 16 miles E
- Gillan Creek - 17.4 miles E
- Coverack - 17.9 miles ESE
Chart
What's the story here?
Image: Michael Harpur
Newlyn Harbour is situated on the west side of Penzance Bay, within a cove known as Gwavas Lake. The small port is formed by two long piers, north and south, which converge at a right angle to form a northeast facing entrance. It is marked by a prominent metal lighthouse standing on the head of the South Pier. Inside the entrance, the rectangular-shaped harbour runs in a northwesterly direction and is divided in two by the Mary Williams Pier, which has fishing boat berths on both sides. Within Mary Williams Pier are two pontoons with finger berths used by local boats and fishing vessels. Newlyn's principal industry is fishing, and more than 100 fishing vessels operate from the port, ranging from 6 to 37 metres in size. It is among the largest in the UK and it takes in one of the richest hauls. Like most of Cornwall's coastal towns, Newlyn is becoming an increasingly popular holiday destination, with many pubs and restaurants. As such, there is a wide variety of yachts and pleasure boats in the harbour area.
Image: Michael Harpur
The harbour can handle visiting boats up to 24 metres LOA with draughts of up to 5.5 metres at MHWS and 5.2 metres at MHWN. Sections of the harbour have maintained depths from 1.9 to 2.4 metres, but a large portion of it dries, particularly so the southwest corner and inside the pontoons. The harbour authority is Newlyn Pier & Harbour Commissioners, which gives priority to the fishing fleet, but all efforts are made to accommodate leisure craft. As this is not main concern, however, it is important to contact them in advance of any planned visit channels 9, 12, and 16 [Newlyn Harbour], +44 1736 362523, info@newlynharbour.com, www.newlynharbour.com. The harbour office hours are 08:00 to 17:00 weekdays and 08:00 to 12:00 Saturday.
Image: Michael Harpur
Upon contact, the harbourmaster will provide details of berthing possibilities, as well as vessel movements and general navigation matters in or near the harbours of Newlyn and Penzance. When available, berths are for an overnight stay only and are typically on the first three or four fingers of the pontoon lying southward of Mary Williams Pier. These all have a maintained depth of 2 metres LAT. Charges per night [2019] are: up to 8m £20 | 8m - 12m £25 | 12m and over £35. Multihulls attract an additional 50 per cent fee. It is important to note that preference is given to fishing vessels – yachtsmen may be asked to move in order to accommodate the very busy harbour operations.
How to get in?
Image: Michael Harpur
Use southwestern England’s coastal overview from Lizard Point to Land's End for seaward approaches. Keep a sharp eye out for pot marker buoys throughout this area.
The primary danger for vessels approaching from the southeast is the Mountamopus Shoal, located about 4½ miles from Newlyn and a mile southward from Cuddan Point. It is a rocky shoal patch, with some portions covered by as little as 1.4 metres of water, and is marked by a south cardinal, Q(6)+LFl.15s, on its southern edge.
Image: Nilfanion via CC ASA 4.0
Vessels approaching from the southwest should avoid Low Lee Rock, with 2.1 metres of water over. It lies ⅓ mile east by northeastward of Penlee Point and has the 'Low Lee' east cardinal marker buoy moored about 150 metres eastward of the rock, Q(3)10s. Likewise, Carn Base, ⅓ mile northwestward, has 2.3 metres of water over it.
Image: Michael Harpur
Vessel approaching from Penzance and Saint Michael's Mount will have the Gear Rock very much in their path. The Gear dries to 1.9 metres and lies ¾ mile northwest of the harbour. It is marked by an isolated danger beacon Fl(2)10s and at night the green sector of the North Pier light (238°-248°) clears the Gear. Those intending on hugging the shore from Penzance should note Dog Rock off the Promanade, with 0.3 metres of water over it. This lies inside of the Gear and ⅓ mile to the northeast of the harbour entrance.
Image: Michael Harpur
From the initial fix, steer for the prominent metal tower on the head of the South Pier, ¾ mile west. The tower is 10 metres high, coloured white with a red bottom band, and at night it exhibits a light, Fl.5s, that can be seen for 9 miles.
Image: Michael Harpur
Anchor a couple of hundred metres outside the harbour walls in Gwavas Lake according to wind and conditions. Keep well clear of the harbour fairway and carry a bright riding light, as there are frequent fishing boat movements at night and any moderate riding light will struggle to be visible against the background shore lights of the town.
Image: Michael Harpur
Alternatively, turn into the harbour's 47-metre wide northwest facing entrance and berth as directed by the harbourmaster. There is a speed limit of 3 knots within the harbour. The usual berths are at the end of the Newlyn Harbour pontoons, which are best addressed by steering for the head of the Mary Williams Pier after the 1.5-metre patch extending from North Pier has been passed. A red spar buoy will be seen in the water and this marks the end of a slip. Keep well clear of the area to southwest and south of Mary Williams Pier as it all dries at low water.
Why visit here?
Newlyn, first recorded as Nulyn in 1279, then Lulyn in 1290, takes its name from the Cornish words lu meaning 'fleet' and lynn or lydn meaning 'pool'. Conjoined as Lulyn it means 'pool for the fleet of boats'. This perfectly describes the use of Gwavas Lake, which is an area of relatively calm water in Mounts Bay situated outside the current harbour area of Newlyn. The name Gwavas is itself a conjunction, derived from the Cornish gwaf meaning winter, and bos meaning abode.Image: Public Domain
The natural protection afforded by Gwavas Lake led local fishermen to use the area as their preferred landing site and somewhere a boat could safely be left afloat. It was most likely first used for seasonal fishing by local farmers and smallholders. As with many other coastal Cornish villages, it probably began as a 'cellar settlement', where a cluster of fish cellars and net lofts developed around the landing beach. In the case of Newlyn, it was the conjunction of three small fishing settlements that were previously separated by bodies of water entering the harbour area: Tolcarne, derived from Tal Carn, meaning 'brow of the rocks'; Street-an-Nowan, from Steet-an-Awan, meaning 'river street', as the Newlyn River passes through the town to the sea; and Trewarveneth, meaning 'farm/manor on the hill'.
Image: Public Domain
The first record of Newlyn’s quay comes from 1437, when indulgences were offered by the church in return for contributions towards its 'repairing and maintaining of a certain quay or jetty for forty boats'. The quay was originally constructed in the reign of Henry VI and renewed in the time of James I. John Leland observed in 1540 that Newlyn was... 'a pretty fisher town in the west part of Mount’s Bay lying hard by the shore'. But references to Newlyn are scarce as it remained largely anonymous in historic records until the 18th century. Before the fishing of pilchards grew into an industry, the size and status of the harbour remained inferior to those of its near neighbours. In fact, one of the harbour's most important historical connections was entirely overlooked for four centuries, and it largely remains so to this day. This occurred in 1620, when the Mayflower visited.
Image: Public Domain
In August of that year, ships the Speedwell and the Mayflower set sail from Southampton bound for Virginia. However, the Speedwell was not a good ship and it soon started to take on water, forcing both vessels to run to Plymouth for repairs. At this time, an outbreak of cholera was sweeping through the city, so they made a hurried effort of patching up the Speedwell and were on their way as quickly as they could be. The hasty repairs proved unreliable and by the time they reached the Isles of Scilly, the vessel was taking on water again. With the uncertain seas of winter approaching, the Speedwell was deemed unseaworthy and not capable of the crossing, and so should return for further repair work. Some of the passengers from the Speedwell then boarded the Mayflower, and fearing the fresh water may have been contaminated in Plymouth, they thought they should refresh it. For this reason, and to replenish their supplies, the Mayflower came into Newlyn. Since then, people have been under the misguided belief that it was Plymouth, on 16 September 1620, that the Mayflower departed for the New World. In truth, it was from Newlyn’s old quay.
Image: Public Domain
A guidebook from this time described Newlyn as a 'colony of fishermen, with narrow paved lanes, glistening with pilchard scales in the season – with external staircases, and picturesque interiors'. Growth was spurred on from the 1830s by increased access to markets, especially London and Bristol, enabled by steam-packets that called at Hayle. In 1866 Penzance was finally linked to London on a through line, providing yet another boost to Newlyn. For the first time, the railway made it possible to transport fresh fish to London and other major markets in a day. In April 1868, the West Briton reported: 'All day long the fish were being carried from Newlyn to Penzance, and kept the roads, streets and railway station very busy... No less than five thousand baskets of fish were rapidly despatched by three specials, and the mail train, on Friday; and mackerel which that morning swam in shoals seven or eight miles S.W. of the dreaded Wolf Rock were sold in Billingsgate early on Saturday morning.'
Image: Public Domain
Before the 19th century, the name of Newlyn referred only to the literal 'fleet pool' anchoring area near the old quay. By the latter end of the 19th century, the Old Quay was enclosing too small a haven for the level of activity at what was a prodigious fishing port. To help improve accessibility and safety, it was itself enclosed by the Victorian piers. The South Pier was completed in 1885 and the North Pier was built the following year and extended in 1892. This, in turn, helped to boost Newlyn’s fortunes as commodities such as coal could now be exported from Cornwall’s shores. This century also saw the extraction of copper from Penlee Quarry, shipped from the port that became known as Newlyn.
Image: Public Domain
Image: Public Domain
Image: Public Domain
In later times, the notion of a common ideal dissipated somewhat, but the interest of the 'Newlyn School' attracted a regular band of artists, who in various ways assimilated and expressed the picturesque influences of the place. Its rise was so rapid that in 1895 Cornish philanthropist John Passmore Edwards built and donated the Newlyn Art Gallery to the town's artists. Many of their works were inspired by the day-to-day life of the harbour – the fishing, the comings and goings of the fleet and the anxious wait of families who watched for the boats to return safely home. This has left a legacy of art that records the comings and goings, fishing activities and people of this harbour around the turn of the 20th century like few others.
Image: Public Domain
Image: Michael Harpur
Until the 1960s, the main catch at Newlyn remained its pilchards, but by then the shoals had largely disappeared and become less popular with consumers. During the 1970s, mackerel helped to improve the fortunes of the harbour, leading to the opening of the Mary Williams Pier by The Queen in 1980.
Image: Michael Harpur
Today, Newlyn is very much a working port and one of the UK's premier fishing ports. Newlyn has the second largest fleet in the country and its £20 million annual catch is the highest earning in all of the UK. In 2004, copper production was re-established by Michael Johnson, who has been recognised as the leading artisan in the UK. Bespoke copper, bronze and brass work from the finest industrial arts coppersmiths is once again produced here, making art as important to Newlyn’s future as it was to its illustrious past.
Image: Michael Harpur
There is ample opportunity to see this at the copperworks and at The Newlyn Art Gallery, which exhibits cutting-edge contemporary art. The Newlyn School of Art offers inspiring courses and painting holidays to this day. The harbour's South Pier is also a place of national Maritime importance. It carries the Ordnance Survey's Datum point, from which all heights in the United Kingdom are measured. A brass bolt on the pier is the benchmark for the whole of the UK and all heights are referenced to this point. You can still step onto the Old Quay today. A plaque there reads: ‘To the memory of Bill Best Harris 1914 – 1987 Historian and son of Plymouth, whose researches indicated that the MAYFLOWER 16 – 8 – 1620 docked at the Old Quay Newlyn for water and supplies, making it the last port of call in England. The water supply at Plymouth being the cause of fever and cholera in the city. Let debate begin. ’
Image: Michael Harpur
From a boating point of view, being accessible at all states of the tide, Newlyn is a popular stopover point for boats en route for the Isles of Scilly or for crossing the English Channel to Brittany. It is also the only harbour of refuge in Mounts Bay, and if it gets rough suddenly with a groundswell running or with onshore winds, no attempt should be made to enter any of the bay's other harbours; Newlyn is the only safe option. Its all-tide access is particularly useful for passage making, so it is possible to make the most of the tides or if you are intent on an early start. Likewise, it makes a great location to stock up on provisions, just like the Mayflower did four centuries ago. With its authentic charm and ambitious spirit, Newlyn is well worth a visit of itself.
What facilities are available?
Water, showers and toilets are available by arrangement at the Royal National Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen, on the North Pier, which welcomes all mariners. Bins can be found on quays, with diesel fuel available from the North Quay pipeline, minimum of 50 gallons (227 litres). Petrol by jerry and camping gas can be found at Penzance. There is a slipway for trailer launches on Harbour Road via prior consultation with Harbour Commissioners.Newlyn and Penzance have a good number of engineering and marine specialists, primarily serving the fishing fleet. They can take care of most boating issues, and the Harbourmaster will generally advise. The Harbour Office is situated on the right-hand side approaching the entrance to North Quay. The harbour will provide a drying-out facility only in emergencies.
Newlyn has a post office, laundry facilities, banks, supermarkets, shops, pubs and restaurants, which are easily accessible from the harbour. Being a working port, its pubs and restaurants all serve fresh catch of the day. Penzance can be reached on foot from Newlyn along a wide promenade and also by bus and taxi. Penzance has a mainline train station and buses to Newlyn and the rest of Cornwall.
With thanks to:
eOceanicNewlyn Harbour, Cornwall, England.
Image: eOceanic thanks Michael Harpur
Newlyn Harbour entrance as seen from inside
Image: eOceanic thanks Michael Harpur
RNLI lifeboat is stationed in Newlyn Harbour
Image: eOceanic thanks Michael Harpur
The old pier where the Mayflower's pilgrims would have landed
Image: eOceanic thanks Michael Harpur
The old pier where the Mayflower's pilgrims would have landed
Image: eOceanic thanks Michael Harpur
The town of Newlyn overlooking the pontoons
Image: eOceanic thanks Michael Harpur
Newly or Mounts Bay Lugger
Image: eOceanic thanks Michael Harpur
Newlyn or Mounts Bay Lugger in the harbour
Image: eOceanic thanks Michael Harpur
Newlyn or Mounts Bay Lugger in the harbour
Image: eOceanic thanks Michael Harpur
Newlyn Aerial
Add your review or comment:
David Lovelock wrote this review on Jul 18th 2019:
The very friendly and helpful harbourmaster will usually arrange for portable diesel containers to be filled. There is water available on the visitors' pontoon. Berthing for visiting yachts is limited and it is wise to contact the harbourmaster (most almanacs have his mobile phone number) before approaching the harbour. At least one berth is reserved for boats under 9m LOA. If you have any dogs or cats on board you will be refused entry, no exceptions.
Average Rating: UnratedRichard Gurney wrote this review on May 17th 2019:
There are NO DOGS allowed in the harbour area (whether by land or sea); this is due to the fact that the harbour is mainly involved in the food (fish) industry and there is a local bye law banning them.
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