The Old Coastguard exterior during the sunset view onto the sea in Penzance, Cornwall, England, Britain

Double bedroom with comfy chairs and a painting of boats on the sea

Table made up for food in front of the fireplace

The Old Coastguard

Penzance, Cornwall
Hotel
+44 (0)1736 731222
Visit owner's website

From
£165 - £325
per night

A wall of glass frames the sea view - take drinks on the waterfront lawn in summer, or by the crackling fire in winter

14 rooms

Rooms sleep 2

Children welcome

Pets welcome

Babies welcome

The Experience

This seaside hotel stands by the coastal path on the way into Mousehole, one of Cornwall’s nicest villages, where kids play on the harbour’s sandy beach at low tide. It’s a peaceful spot with a clutch of restaurants and galleries, little disturbed since the Spanish raided in 1595. Roguish brothers Edmund and Charles Inkin have form when it comes to creating small hotels of character, and this place bears all their hallmarks, being good value and casual, with relaxed staff and great food.

A diverse crowd of guests – couples, families, and ladies lunching – hang out in the rustic-smart bar and dining room. Conversation may stall as you take in the outlook over hydrangeas and palms to intriguing St Clement’s Isle and beyond, across the sweep of Mount’s Bay to the Lizard.

With Newlyn a couple of miles away, locally landed fish features at breakfast. Supper, with a modern British slant, changes with the seasons. Retreat to a lime-washed bedroom hung with Cornish art – all vary in size, character and aspect, and eight have balconies.

We think you'll love

The food - top notch local produce, prepared well
The drink! Always at least four real ales and a well-chosen, award-winning wine list
The gorgeous seaside location

You should know

All rooms except one have a sea view
Mousehole can get busy in the school holidays

Essentials

EV charger
Swimming pool
Hot tub
Garden
Open fire / woodburner
Breakfast included
Breakfast available
Meals available
Vegetarian meals
Parking on premises
Free parking nearby
Accessible by public transport
WiFi
Television
Spa
Central heating
Limited mobility
Wheelchair access
Mobile reception
Hob
Bar
Barbecue
Licensed premises
Paid parking nearby
Air conditioning
Relaxation areas
Washing machine
Tennis court
No smoking
Credit cards
Working farm
Owner has pets
Pets welcome

Family friendly

Baby monitor
Books and toys
Children welcome
Babies welcome
Stair gates
High chair
Fire guard
Cot available

Nearby

Pub/bar within 3 miles
Restaurant within 3 miles
Shop within 3 miles

Activities

Bikes available
Food courses
Kayaking
Other courses
Sailing
Surfing
Wild swimming

Pricing

Nightly price: from £165
Surcharges: Extra sofabed available £40 per person per night.

4 Doubles: From £210
1 Suite for 2: From £250
6 Doubles: From £165
3 Twin/doubles: From £195

Information

Booking information

Check in

From 2pm

Check out

By 11am

Other details

Singles from £172.

Closed

1 week in early Jan.

No smoking

Smoking not permitted anywhere in the property.

Dogs

Doggie biscuits, blanket, towels, advice on walks, black bags and dog bowls. Very friendly staff too.

Secure garden with sea views. Pebbled beach a stone’s throw away and plenty of walks nearby.

Meals

Lunch, 2-3 courses, £20-£25. Dinner, 2-3 courses, £37-£45. Sunday lunch, 2-3 courses, £32-£38.

Reviews

Thanks all for a wonderful time - it was lovely to meet Tamsin, Tammy and Tom - all ensuring our stay was memorable. The food was delicious and the room perfect for the three of us (could sleep four). I only wish we'd had more time to explore the beach and surrounding area - will save that for another visit. A special touch was milk left outside the room for morning tea and coffee.

Sally, Bristol Sep 2024

The Coastguard was wonderful. Warm hospitality and very good food.

Susan, South Africa Jul 2024

We had a wonderful cosy dinner at The Old Coastguard; the whole family (including the dog) felt well looked after and the food was delicious. It's lovely to visit a place which is so clearly loved by locals and visitors alike, with a properly welcoming feel.

Alice, Bristol Dec 2022

A wonderful stay! The food, ingredients, menu and wine list were excellent, perhaps only exceeded by the employees. All were enthusiastic, efficient and friendly. The garden is a lovely area to relax and take in the gorgeous sea view. Thoroughly recommend it and we will be back.

Mike, Somerset Jun 2021

This is quite simply one of the best places ever for lunch. After a superb dinner a few weeks ago we just had to return and it didn't disappoint! Exquisite flavours to make you savour every mouthful, attentive friendly service - nothing was too much trouble. And the view looking out to sea from the dining room is to die for. Considering the exceptional quality of the food a meal here is excellent value for money and I would definitely recommend.

Elizabeth, Penzance Apr 2019

Visited the restaurant this evening. Superb scallops followed by the most delicious aubergine and apricot vegetarian dish and equally divine guinea fowl on a bed of perfectly cooked if slightly unusual vegetables such as parsley root. Local beer and a very good wine and we could manage no more. Shall definitely keep returning and also recommending to our own Sawdays holiday cottage guests.

Elizabeth, Penzance Mar 2019

We can't wait to return here - what a wonderful place to relax and unwind. Excellent bedroom, fine dining, staff so welcoming and friendly, overlooking the sea. What more could you want ?

Susie, London Sep 2017

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Location

The neighbourhood

Mousehole is the quintessential Cornish fishing village, with its narrow streets of granite houses clustered around the harbour. It lies on the doorstep of both the artists’ colony of Newlyn and raffish Penzance. The famous open air Minack Theatre, the dramatic setting of which can easily eclipse the action on stage, is 8 miles west.

Local points of interest from Charles & Edmund Inkin

If you're ever going to give surfing a go, Sennen Beach just might be the place. Or, to explore Penwith on two wheels, these brilliant people can drop a bike off with us. And if you're happy to test the good humour of Neptune, head off dolphin watching.
Some of the world’s most awe-inspiring coastline is right on our doorstep. Wander out of the back of Mousehole and be on top of the cliffs in little more than ten minutes. Stirring stuff, we promise.
Before you come, plan foraging walks with Caroline Davey (Fat Hen) or more serious walking of the Coastal Footpath. Or, as most of us do, decide after breakfast what you feel like doing.
The Newlyn and St. Ives schools, Barbara Hepworth, Ben Nicholson, Alfred Wallace, Patrick Heron, Roger Hilton. The names from yesteryear roll off the tongue but the inheritance remains in good hands.
From the more famous Tate St. Ives and Hepworth galleries, to independents such as Essex Tyler here in Mousehole, Penlee in Penzance and Newlyn Art Gallery and The Exchange there is enough to keep the art lover busy for days on end.

Introducing

Charles & Edmund Inkin

Edmund and Charles Inkin run The Felin Fach Griffin, The Old Coastguard and The Gurnard's Head. An idyllic upbringing on the family farm in Wales, with its dairy herd and kitchen garden, was formative for the brothers, who later fell in love with West Cornwall. They value first class ingredients, with menus shaped by the seasons, served by likeable staff.

The Old Coastguard

Children welcome

Pets welcome

Babies welcome

Your enquiry details

Direct with the owner

Enquire through Sawday's

The Experience

We think you'll love

You should know

Essentials

Accommodation

Pricing

Information

Reviews

The neighbourhood

Charles & Edmund Inkin

The Old Coastguard

Children welcome

Pets welcome

Babies welcome

Enquiry details

Your enquiry details

How to book

Direct with the owner

Enquire through Sawday's

The Experience

We think you'll love

You should know

Essentials

Accommodation

Pricing

Information

Reviews

The neighbourhood

Charles & Edmund Inkin

Taking you to The Old Coastguard