Exploring Newlyn with Patrick Grant

Patrick Grant is a champion of good taste. When we welcomed him to Newlyn to try on pieces from our new collaboration with Community Clothing, we wanted to show him the very best that Newlyn has to offer. 

Known for hosting The Great British Sewing Bee, Patrick has been an important figure in the sustainable fashion movement for nearly two decades. In 2016, he founded Community Clothing, and since then he has been at the forefront of championing high-quality, responsible design in the UK. 

We took the opportunity to show Patrick some of our favourite spots in Newlyn. Just up the road from our very first shop in Penzance, Newlyn sits on the western shore of Mounts Bay. The historic harbour town is home to thriving local community of creatives, makers and working fishermen, many of whom inspired the clothes we make today.  

We started our day with coffee. Tucked in the subtropical gardens of Newlyn Art Gallery, Fika are a plastic-free, independent coffee shop. The smell of freshly ground beans fills the air, and the quiet chat of gallery visitors creates the perfect soundscape.  We opted for a coffee, but have heard great things about their freshly baked pastries.  

Our next stop was a must-visit. Jelbert’s have been serving traditionally made Cornish ice creams in Newlyn for 80 years. They only have one shop, and only serve one flavour: freshly whipped, handmade vanilla. Family-owned since the beginning, Jelbert’s is still just as popular as the day they opened. 

The old stone quay in Newlyn is an iconic part of the town’s living history. It forms part of the original harbour which was once a busy fishing port. Over the years, Newlyn’s fishing industry has grown to become one of the UKs largest and, as such, the local fishermen have moved to bigger facilities just next door. What’s left of the original quay is now a popular spot for locals and visitors. It also happens to be one of our favourite spots for a quick dip, so naturally this was the next stop on our tour. 

As the shoot rolled to a close, lunch was an easy choice. Argoe serves the best of Newlyn’s fish straight from sea to plate. The chefs buy their ingredients daily from fishermen they know on a first name basis.  Eating this close to the water is a unique experience, and make sure to keep an eye out for seals that are often seen taking refuge in the harbour.  

Our Community Clothing X Seasalt menswear capsule is available now exclusively online.