Discover the history of Stargazy Pie and Tom Bawcock’s Eve
Discover the magical Cornish Christmas festival, Tom Bawcock’s Eve
A merry place you may believe
Was Mousehole on Tom Bawcock’s Eve,
To be there then who wouldn’t wish
To sup on seven sorts o’ fish.
A uniquely Cornish celebration
If you travel down to the far west of Cornwall, beyond the last train station at Penzance, you will eventually come to the beautiful fishing village of Mousehole (pronounced Mow-zul).
‘Tis ‘ere you will find a special Christmas tradition unique to the village: Tom Bawcock’s Eve.
Held every year on the 23rd December, this celebration is unlike any other you’ll find in the UK.
The festival celebrates the bravery of a local hero called Tom Bawcock and centres around the community cooking and sharing an unusual fish pie called Stargazy Pie.
The night is truly a feast for every sense. The streets of Mousehole are bathed in Christmas lights and the village even bursts into song!
This magical event has so much to offer: history, community spirit, maritime folklore, and local delicacies! Tom Bawcock’s Eve is a special way to experience the holiday season while also immersing yourself in a slice of real Cornish history and culture.
Tom Bawcock’s story
The origin of Tom Bawcock’s story dates back to the 16th Century. In this time, Cornwall was heavily dependent on fishing as a way of life and survival.
One winter, long ago, a terrible storm was raging. The seas along the Cornish coast were far too dangerous for any boat to head out on them. Food supplies in the village of Mousehole dwindled, and the villagers’ hunger grew. The situation was dire.
Enter Tom Bawcock, a brave, local fisherman who decided he couldn’t simply stand by and watch his neighbours starve. He set off into the deadly storm on his boat and defying the odds, he caught a huge haul of fish and returned home triumphant. The village was saved!
It’s said that the villagers used the fish from Tom’s boat to make one gigantic dish: the first ever Stargazy Pie!
Do you want to try some Stargazy Pie?
Well if you do, you will have to head to the Ship Inn in Mousehole on the 23rd December as they only make the dish on this one day each year.
The pie is traditionally made with pilchards (the Cornish name for sardines), along with a mixture of eggs, cream, onions, and potatoes. All these warming winter ingredients are cooked together inside pastry. However, there is something that makes it a bit different from your average fish pie: the fish heads (and sometimes tails) are poking out of the top!
With the fish heads looking up towards the stars, it’s easy to see where the name of this pie came from. While many people find this aspect of the pie a little disgusting, the fish heads actually help the pie to remain moist and flavoursome throughout its time in the oven.
If you’re on the hunt for the best Stargazy Pie in the world, the only place to go is The Ship Inn in Mousehole.
For those who can’t make it to Mousehole, famous TV chef (and Cornish local) Rick Stein has an alternative recipe if you ever want to give it a go at home.
The Mousehole Cat
If you love the story of Tom Bawcock, you’ll adore The Mousehole Cat. I’m sure this children’s book by Antonia Barber is on the bookshelf of almost every Cornish child. The tale reimagines Tom’s heroic acts through the eyes of his loyal cat, Mowzer.
In the story, it’s not just Tom who braves the storm—Mowzer joins Tom on his quest. In fact, Mowzer is the true hero of the tale, facing down the terrifying Great Storm-Cat to help guide the boat safely back to shore.
It’s hard not to fall in love with The Mousehole Cat’s gorgeous illustrations (by Nicola Bayley), which capture the charm of Mousehole and the wild beauty of the Cornish coast. The story and its illustrations are still hugely popular to this day. Fans of the book will find a gallery, cottages and local cats named after Mowzer on the streets of Mousehole. The story was even turned into an animation, and continues to be retold in plays across the county.
If you’re interested in reading The Mousehole Cat, it’s still available in print and online today.
Exploring Mousehole
Beyond Tom Bawcock’s Eve, Mousehole and the surrounding area are full of wonderful things to see and do:
- Nearby Penzance and Newlyn: Just a short distance from Mousehole, Penzance offers historical sites, shops, and lovely seaside views. Newlyn is known for its rich fishing and arts heritage.
- Relax on Harbour Beach: Mousehole’s picturesque harbor is perfect for a seaside stroll or just relaxing on the sand. The beach is small but has incredible views, especially at sunset.
- Walk to Lamorna: A short coastal walk will take you to Lamorna Cove, known for being home to a thriving community of artists. The hike is refreshing, and it’s clear to see why artists flocked to this beautiful corner of the world.
- Explore its quaint Streets: Mousehole’s cobbled streets are home to independent galleries, boutique shops, and cafes.
If you join us during the summer, please get in touch and let us know if you would like a visit to Mousehole as part of your programme with us.
In the meantime…
Merry Christmas from all of us at Language Tree!
We look forward to seeing you in 2025 🙂
