Huers Hut
This unusual white building sitting atop Towan Head was once the shelter of a huer, a person employed by fishing companies to spot shoals of fish passing by. Pilchards in particular make a distinctive ripple that can be easy to spot during the day and on moonlit nights. The huer would then alert fishermen and guide them to the shoals from the hut.
The hut we see today dates back to the 14th century and features a late medieval chimney and a fireplace that may have been altered during restoration work in the 19th century. It may have originally been used as a hermitage and lighthouse.
The hut is an important symbol of Newquay’s large-scale commercial fishing history and a must-see for visitors to the area.
Huers Hut is a cool landmark of Cornish history in the heart of Newquay…
Image Credits: Nilfanion – (CC BY-SA 3.0)