Porthleven(Cornish:Porthleven) is nearHelstonon the south coast ofWest Cornwallat the top of theLizardPeninsula. 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".

Understand

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

Get in

There are hourly buses (two-hourly on Sundays and holidays) fromHelstonandPenzance(Bus U4).

Get around

Everything in Porthleven is reachable on foot.

See

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

Do

	Note:Do not venture onto the pier at the end of the harbour when the seas are rough, as freak waves can and have washed visitors into the sea. Also do not swim at Loe Bar, as the currents there areextremely dangerous.

Enjoy1Porthleven 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 to2Loe Bar,a natural sand bar (composed of shingle) that blocks the mouth of the River Cober, and through thePenrose Estate(open dawn to dusk daily,free entry) to3Loe 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 toHelston(an hour's brisk walk), stopping off at4The StablesCafé for refreshment (in the grounds, open Sa Su 10AM-4PM in winter, daily in summer).

Alternatively, take theSouth West Coast Pathpast Loe Bar to5Gunwalloe Cove(with its medieval church and seasonal lifeguarded beach), 6Poldhu Cove(good for swimming and surfing), and7Mullion Cove(a small fishing cove). The full walk toThe Lizard Pointis13.4mi (21.6km),with spectacular cliff-top vistas.

You can also take the Coastal Path westwards from Porthleven along the cliff tops towards8Rinsey,for excellent sea views.

Events

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

Buy

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

Porthleven harbour

Eat

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.
• 1Amelie'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)

Drink

• 1Ship Inn.Usually has fresh seafood on the menu.
• Harbour Inn.
• Atlantic Inn.

Sleep

• 1The 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.

Go next

• Helston
• Lizard Point