Porthtowan Beach Houses – Find out more
Porthtowan village has a good range of shops, bars and restaurants including the Village Deli Store, to keep the family stocked and fed. Walking towards the Atlantic the buildings give way to dunes and soft white sand, sheltered by cliffs on each side. With its blue-flag status it is safe as well as beautiful, and only a five-minute walk from your beach house.
There are generous amounts of sand across the tidal range, but at low water the sand become a broad sweep stretching from Lushington Cove to the south, and towards Chapel Porth to the north. Walking on the sand among the rock pools and beneath the stunning cliffs with the Atlantic crashing onto the beach in the distance is to enjoy one of nature's great treasures.
The Southwest Coast Path runs along the cliff tops from Porthtowan and, situated within the World Heritage Site of the Cornwall and Devon Mining Landscape, it is a fascinating historical snapshot of man's industrial endeavour against a backdrop of wild beauty.
The ruins of Wheal Towan, one of Cornwall's most productive 18th century copper mines, overlooks the beach. The remains may now be crumbling but Wheal Towan made a rich man of its owner, Ralph Allen Daniell.
"At low water the sand become a broad sweep stretching from Lushington Cove to the south, and towards Chapel Porth to the north."
Blue Bar
Families, walkers and surfers alike congregate in the cool environs of the Blue Bar, overlooking the action on Porthtowan beach. The eclectic crowd makes for a very relaxed atmosphere within its classy interior. The menu has plenty of simple family favourites alongside a selection of more unusual dishes like the Falafel Platter, and friends of sustainable fishing will appreciate the local line-caught mackerel.
Surfing in Porthtowan
Recognised as one of North Cornwall's (and therefore one of the UK's) top surfing beaches, Porthtowan hosts many surfing events - a great spectacle if you are lucky enough to catch one. Thought to be the spiritual home of UK surfing, Porthtowan is a popular beach break with heavy, punchy waves when the surf is really pumping. The break works through all tides and opens out at low tide to reveal Lushingtons to the south.
"Beneath the stunning cliffs with the Atlantic crashing onto the beach in the distance is to enjoy one of nature's great treasures!"
Truro
Truro is not far from Porthtowan and is well worth a visit with its magnificent Cathedral and a great museum. The Royal Cornwall Museum (which also houses the Courtney Library: Cornish History Research Centre) is a wonderful place to learn about Cornwall's history and cultural heritage.
Rotating its exhibitions on a regular basis, the museum also houses an art collection ranging from drawings by old masters to contemporary works by local artists. The museum is also home to a world-famous mineral collection and a renowned Bronze-Age exhibition. Of its more unusual exhibits, the Egyptian gallery includes the mummified remains of the Priest Ast Tayef Nakht - unwrapped!
Newquay Zoo
Only a 40-minute drive, the award-winning Newquay Zoo makes for a great family day out. There are in excess of 130 species to view, from the always-entertaining penguin pool to the crawling and creeping stuff in the hot and sticky Tropical House. Fascinating animal encounters accompanied by Keeper talks keep things interesting whilst conveying a good conservation message. In addition to all the live action, activity trails, face painting, a children's play area and the Dragon Maze will keep children occupied.