The Fog
Mullion Harbour, located on the west coast of the Lizard peninsula, has been withstanding the Atlantic waves since the 1890s, when it was built by Lord Robartes of Lanhydrock House near Bodmin, in an attempt to create a commercial port. The harbour did not function well for larger vessels but it did work well to shelter the local fishing fleet. Today it provides a haven for a few commercial fishing boats, outdoor activity providers, recreational boats and a dozen seafront properties.
It is believed that Mullion Cove’s net loft was built in the late 1770s. This was at around the same time that the pilchard fishing industry was beginning to expand. In 1783 the fishermen of the cove applied to the Robartes family, to develop the cove into an inshore pilchard fishery.
Fishermen would come from the villages on the east coast of the Lizard, such as St Keverne and Cadgwith, to fish the seine boats from Mullion Cove. These villages are only a quick drive away today, but in the 18th Century it would have been a huge trek. Therefore, the fishermen would sleep on top of the nets in the net loft. This explains why the building has a chimney. The inglenook fireplace facilitated cooking and provided warmth.
The net loft remained as an extensively used functional building for over 100 years, until the pilchard industry came to an end in the latter part of the 19th Century. Not that long after the harbour walls were constructed, and although the building was not demolished, it was reduced in size to make way for the harbour development.
The net loft is still in use today as a store for fishing equipment and gained Grade 11 Listed status in 1984.
Adapted from:
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/cornwall/mullion-cove/our-...
www.downthecove.com/net-loft-mullion-cove
The Fog
Mullion Harbour, located on the west coast of the Lizard peninsula, has been withstanding the Atlantic waves since the 1890s, when it was built by Lord Robartes of Lanhydrock House near Bodmin, in an attempt to create a commercial port. The harbour did not function well for larger vessels but it did work well to shelter the local fishing fleet. Today it provides a haven for a few commercial fishing boats, outdoor activity providers, recreational boats and a dozen seafront properties.
It is believed that Mullion Cove’s net loft was built in the late 1770s. This was at around the same time that the pilchard fishing industry was beginning to expand. In 1783 the fishermen of the cove applied to the Robartes family, to develop the cove into an inshore pilchard fishery.
Fishermen would come from the villages on the east coast of the Lizard, such as St Keverne and Cadgwith, to fish the seine boats from Mullion Cove. These villages are only a quick drive away today, but in the 18th Century it would have been a huge trek. Therefore, the fishermen would sleep on top of the nets in the net loft. This explains why the building has a chimney. The inglenook fireplace facilitated cooking and provided warmth.
The net loft remained as an extensively used functional building for over 100 years, until the pilchard industry came to an end in the latter part of the 19th Century. Not that long after the harbour walls were constructed, and although the building was not demolished, it was reduced in size to make way for the harbour development.
The net loft is still in use today as a store for fishing equipment and gained Grade 11 Listed status in 1984.
Adapted from:
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/cornwall/mullion-cove/our-...
www.downthecove.com/net-loft-mullion-cove