03/09/2026
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Did you know that where the pub stands today would actually have been underwater in the 18th century? As Par Harbour grew during the 1800s - serving Cornwall's mining and china clay industries - the village grew with it, and so did The Par Inn.
For well over 100 years, this has been a place where people have come together for a pint, a chat, and a good time. Dock workers, locals, and visitors have all passed through our doors, each leaving their mark on the pub's story.
Speaking of stories, local historian and writer Lyndon Allen shared a wonderful tale from the early days of WWII:
"During the war, several Dutch coaster ships sought refuge at Par Harbour after Holland was invaded. The port authority agreed they could stay, provided they moved their ships out of the docks if an air raid occurred to prevent a sunken vessel from blocking the harbour.
Sure enough, the day enemy planes bombed Par, the Dutch crews were in The Par Inn having "a glass or three." Hearing the air raid sirens, they sprinted down to the quay to move their ships - only to realise the tide was out and the vessels were hard aground! Seeing they couldn't move them, they did the only sensible thing: they turned around and walked right back into The Par Inn!"
A lot has changed since then, but the heart of The Par Inn hasn't. We're still a proper local where friends meet, great memories (and funny stories!) are made, and everyone gets a warm welcome.
Read more about the fascinating history of the harbour and pub in Lyndon Allen's full article here: https://cornishstory.com/2026/08/04/the-history-of-the-port-of-par/
Have you got any old photos or local memories of The Par Inn? We'd love to see them in the comments below! 📸
