Porthleven

Around and about the historical port

Tater Du Lighthouse

Merry Maidens

Where is the Village?

Porthleven is located in South West Cornwall, in the Mounts Bay, on the coast between the Lizard and Lands End.

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What is There?

Porthleven is large enough to keep all visitors catered for but still retains the character of an unspoilt fishing village, with its granite built harbour and pier and the famous clock tower. There have been settlements in the area for over 1000 years but the village you see today started with the commencement of construction of the harbour in 1811. With additional developments throughout the 1800’s.

Winter storms on the beach
 

All interest is not solely with the harbour.

 To the east of the pier is a golden shingle/sand beach stretching for 3 miles. Half way along is the Loe Bar. A sand bar, which divided the sea from the “Loe” (Cornish meaning pool), Cornwall’s largest natural fresh water lake. Under the care of the National Trust the area surrounding the pool is open free to the public, and provides an excellent walk.

To the west of the harbour entrance at low-tide, one can find excellent rock pools and the “moonstone” or "giants Quoit", a 50 ton rock, not from anywhere in UK, brought to Porthleven possibly on an iceberg and latest theories are it floated down from northern Europe. In the near distance on the cliff edge one can see the abandoned engine houses of the Trewavas tin mine at Rinsey.

From the village Tregonning Hill is also visible and extinct volcano and where china clay was first discovered in this country and shipped out via the harbour.

The South West Coastal Path also runs through the village and is easily accessed from either side of the harbour.
There are also many local events in the village through the summer season that may coincide with your visit .

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What Facilities are There?

Porthleven is well served with numerous restaurants, pubs, and teashops, Fish Restaurants. As well as a small supermarket, Post Office, Newsagents and craft workshops and gift shops.

For more shops, banks, larger supermarkets and local museum, the market town of Helston is only 2 ½ miles away.

Fishing and boating trips from the harbour daily in the summer.

The pier and quay are great for fishing or strolling around and the beach is fine for swimming or paddling (depending on sea conditions)

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What About Other Places?

Porthleven is in an ideal position as a base to explore this area of Cornwall. With easy access to the main roads leading to Helston (2miles), Truro (18miles), Penzance (12miles), Lizard (12miles) and Falmouth (10miles). As well as being within 10 miles of some of the county’s top visitor attractions, which include: Gweek Seal Sanctuary, Goonhilly Earth Station, Flambards Theme Park, Birds of Paradise, St. Michaels Mount. The Lizard Point and village are well worth a look over.

There is also a selection of beaches close by and served by amenities. To the east Church Cove, Poldhu Cove and Kynance Cove. To the west Praa Sands and Perranuthnoe.

If you are a member of the National Trust then there are number of local sites and parking areas.

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