Porthleven Voyage Tips and guide

Contents

Porthleven (Cornish: Porthleven) is near Helston on the south coast of West Cornwall at the top of the Lizard Peninsula. The South West Coast Path from Somerset to Dorset passes through the town. It is one of Britain's best-known surfing spots, described as "Cornwall's best reef break".

Porthleven is a small, vibrant harbour town on the south coast of Cornwall.

There are hourly buses (two-hourly on Sundays and holidays) from Helston and Penzance (Bus U4).

Everything in Porthleven is reachable on foot.

• Bickford Smith Institute building and spire (at the mouth of the harbour). 
• working fishing harbour. 

Enjoy 50.0811-5.31431 Porthleven Beach. There is lifeguard cover from early July to end of August. 

Go for a walk around the picturesque fishing harbour sampling the excellent restaurants and pubs.

Take the short walk to 50.0707-5.29572 Loe Bar, a natural sand bar (composed of shingle) that blocks the mouth of the River Cober, and through the Penrose Estate (open dawn to dusk daily, free entry) to 50.0831-5.28923 Loe Pool, the largest natural fresh-water lake in Cornwall (no swimming or boating allowed in the lake).

Continue on round Loe Pool to take the scenic route through the Penrose Estate to Helston (an hour's brisk walk), stopping off at 50.08391-5.297264 The Stables Café for refreshment (in the grounds, open Sa Su 10AM-4PM in winter, daily in summer).

Alternatively, take the South West Coast Path past Loe Bar to 50.0417-5.275 Gunwalloe Cove (with its medieval church and seasonal lifeguarded beach), 50.0343-5.25826 Poldhu Cove (good for swimming and surfing), and 50.01684-5.258237 Mullion Cove (a small fishing cove). The full walk to The Lizard Point is 13.4 mi (21.6 km), with spectacular cliff-top vistas.

You can also take the Coastal Path westwards from Porthleven along the cliff tops towards 50.09546-5.368398 Rinsey, for excellent sea views.

• Flora Day, on or around 8th May, in the nearby town of Helston.

There are lots of souvenir and arts and craft shops along and around Harbour Road.

Porthleven is a particularly good place to savour fresh sea food, including crab, mussels, lobster, fish pie, etc., and both restaurants and pubs will often have seafood on the menu.

• Kota and Kota Kai. 
• The Square. 
• Sea Drift. 
• Blue Haze. 
• 50.08431-5.317811 Amelie's. Restaurant and café sited in an old fish smokehouse. Offers fresh seafood as well as a variety of dishes. 
• The Horse and Jockey Cafe. 
• The Mussel Shoal, Portleven Harbour TR13 9JY. Great reviews for this seafood cafe on a pontoon in the harbour. No advance booking. (updated Aug 2022)

• 50.08331-5.317191 Ship Inn. Usually has fresh seafood on the menu. 
• Harbour Inn. 
• Atlantic Inn. 

• 50.084609-5.3159231 The Harbour Inn, Commercial Rd, ☏ +44 1326 573876. 

There are many holiday cottages available for rent in Porthleven, especially along Loe Bar Road. Advance booking is essential.

• Helston
• Lizard Point