Newlyn Harbour was first recorded as an industrial port in 1435, at which time pilchards were the catch of the day, remaining the mainstay of the fishing fleet for five centuries. Surviving the Spanish raid of 1595 and damage caused by the Lisbon earthquake in 1755, the Old Quay is also well known for being the last port of call on this side of the Atlantic for the Mayflower, whose 132 passengers are the direct ancestors of many million people today!
Improved rail access to the South West in the 19th century attracted fish merchants, increasing trade with the UK and overseas, and prosperity for Newlyn’s fishermen resulting in the construction of the South and North Quays in 1887 and 1888 respectively. This development also enabled other commodities to be exported from Newlyn such as coal to Portugal and later copper, zinc and other rare minerals using a narrow-gauge railway from Penlee quarry onto the South Quay. This was one of the last commercially operated narrow gauge railways in the UK.
A trade embargo with Italy in 1937 had devastating consequences for pilchard merchants, which, in turn, affected Newlyn’s fortunes. However, a fleet of larger Belgian trawlers, who took refuge in Newlyn during World War 2, helped to sustain the Cornish fishery until a significant revival in the 1970’s due to the increased demand for mackerel. The tide had turned for Newlyn Harbour at this point and as the years went by the Commissioners worked hard with the Mary Williams Pier opening in 1980 and a huge inshore fleet pontoon being fitted later in 2005. During this time, Newlyn Harbour has seen two new fish markets both in 1988 and then again in 2016.
Today, our historic harbour and up to date facilities co-exist side by side. Newlyn retains its iconic position as the fulcrum of the Cornish fishing industry, and we aspire to keep it this way.
Our ambitious development programme underpins this aspiration to support the sustainability of the UK fishing industry for generations to come.
