Welcome

Based in Penzance, Cornwall, we can supply you with our own Marine Stewardship Council certified tins of Cornish pilchard fillets. Made using pilchards--which are also known as sardines (both are same species of sardinus pilchardus) --caught by our local boats and canned Brittany using traditional canning techniques. They take longer to produce than the industrial canning process but have the taste of proper tinned sardines.

About Us

We source our Cornish Pilchards from small local boats that are under 12m in length and use ring nets approved by the Marine Stewardship Council as being part of our sustainable fishery.

Our fish are prepared to unique Breton recipes by the oldest sardine cannery in the world.

MSC certified

The Pilchard Works produces a range of MSC certified sardine tins using traditional manufacturing techniques to bring out the wonderful taste of sustainable Cornish sardine stocks. From the moment of capture to the point where fish are processed by the cannery in Douarnenez, Brittany, every effort is made to get the best from the locally caught fish and the labours of the fishermen that catch them.

Ever wonder what the difference is between a sardine and a pilchard? Nothing. Both are Sardina Pilchardus, but the smaller fish tend to be called sardines and those over 30cm long called pilchards.

Our History

The Pilchard Works was the last remaining Cornish cured fish factory. We stopped production of the salt pilchards in 2005 but have continued our joint venture in Brittany where we produce traditional tins of unsalted fillets. The break in 2005 broke a tradition that had seen the company export its traditional products to the same family in Italy since 1905. In 1994 part of the original granite building complex was converted into a museum to tell the story of pilchard fishing and processing in Cornwall. Visitors were able to see the production of salt cured fish and, in the adjoining museum, see a fascinating combination of social, artistic and industrial scenes depicted in paintings, photos and artifacts. Inside the pressing room they experienced the full flavour of sights, smells and noise of a fish factory unchanged in operation since the 1800s. A National Award winner, the museum was visited by HRH Prince Charles in 1995.

Our Services

Distributors of The Pilchard Works tins of Cornish pilchard fillets in three varieties exclusively to Waitrose as a supermarket but also wholesale to delicatessens and food shops through Cotswold Fayre in Reading (03452 606060) and The Essential Food Company in Falmouth, Cornwall (01326 372 304)

Wholesale Orders

f you have a larger order, or want to schedule repeat deliveries, you may be best contacting one of our three wholesalers. All three varieties are stocked by Cotswold Fayre in Reading, West Country Fruit Sales in Falmouth and Taste Traders Ltd (formerly M and D Supplies) in North Wales.

Please contact us directly if you need any help and we will be happy to advise.