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Welcome to Porthleven

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Holidays in Porthleven

Whatever you love about Cornwall, we’re sure you'll find it while enjoying a holiday in Porthleven. Relax and enjoy the boats bobbing in the harbour, pull on the walking boots and join the coastal path to Rinsey and Praa Sands, take a short drive to nearby Marazion and the iconic St Michael's Mount, or hit the waves and surf until sunset.

This charming fishing town has a relaxing atmosphere; it's gorgeous in the Summer and dramatic during the Winter. The granite harbour and pier with its famous clock tower has become an iconic storm-watching spot during wild wintry weather and offers a tranquil setting on calmer days.

Take a short break out of season in Porthleven and avoid the hubbub on the roads and beaches. Soak up the sun on the harbour front and watch the fishing boats pass by. Catch the first glimpses of colour from the acres of Cornish daffodils in early spring with the sea as a back drop as you drive from coast to coast. With easy access to the coastal footpath, head east to discover Gunwalloe Fishing Cove, Polurnan Cliffs and Mullion Cove or head west and marvel at Praa Sands, Perranuthnoe and Marazion. 

Take a short walk from Porthleven and reach the coarse sand of Porthleven beach, reaching two miles south as far as Loe Bar, a sand spit separating the sea and forming Loe Pool, the largest freshwater lake in Cornwall.

Porthleven harbour is an enjoyable place to relax, with its cafés, pubs and restaurants providing the perfect place for you to sit outside and watch the world float by!

Top tip

Like storm watching? Visit in winter and you may be lucky enough to experience huge waves crashing over the clock tower!

Things to do in Porthleven

Porthleven Food & Music Festival

With over 10,000 visitors each year, the festival is popular with visitors and locals alike. It celebrates Cornish food producers, with demonstrations, live bands, street performers and with free entry, it's the perfect family day out. This years event takes place on 26th April. Read about the Porthleven Food & Music festival on our blog.

Surfing

Porthleven is a renowned surf spot amongst the locals, and is more suited to experienced surfers and bodyboarders. Find out more on our blog: Ten of the best surf spots in Cornwall

Cycling

If you enjoy exploring the great outdoors, mountain bike hire is available from our friends over at Porthleven Cycle Hire. There’s a variety of scenic cycling routes in the area, all offering different levels of difficulty, and most offering great coastal views.

Walking 

There are ample walking routes in and around Porthleven with beautiful landscapes to explore and varying degrees of difficulty. If a gentle stroll is more your cup of tea, enjoy meandering around the iconic harbour and pretty streets. To find out more about the history of Porthleven, you can book a guided tour with Porthleven Town Talks.

Fishing

With such a variety of fishing spots in the area, you’ll be spoilt for choice when staying in a holiday cottage in Porthleven.  There’s an angling centre nearby to stock up on tackle and bait before heading out, and Loe bar is just a short walk from Porthleven itself, which offers great beach fishing. Bass fishing is popular in this area and guided fishing trips are available from Porthleven too. With many other popular sea fishing and course fishing spots in Cornwall you’ll be able to try your luck at a variety of places without having to travel too far.  

Birdwatching

Behind Loe bar is Loe pool, the largest freshwater lake in Cornwall, and is a great place to enjoy birdwatching. Surrounded by woodland, it’s a great place to go walking and enjoy the Cornish scenery.

Eating out

Porthleven is quickly becoming a foodie's paradise, with a range or top notch restaurants throughout the town. To help you decide where to dine out, read our blog post on Eating out in Porthleven.

Places to visit near Porthleven

Flambards Theme Park

If you fancy a family day out, Flambards Theme Park in nearby Helston is a great place to visit at any time of year. With rides, activities and entertainment with award winning exhibitions and museums, there is something for all ages.

Cornish Seal Sanctuary

A few miles down the road, and set in acres of Cornish countryside is the Cornish Seal Sanctuary. Here you will find rescued and rehabilitated seals and sea lions found on Britain's beaches, alongside penguins, otters, and farmyard animals such as ponies, goats and sheep; a great day out for all the family. 

Line Drawn Surfing Starfish Wish you were here?

Check out our Porthleven webcam, situated on The Ship Inn overlooking the outer harbour; perfect for storm watching!

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Events

Porthleven Food & Music Festival

The small Cornish fishing village of Porthleven hosts its annual Food & Music Festival every April and encorporates street performers, a range of local produce, Samba dancing, theatre, beer marquees, hip-hop dancers, fireworks, Cornish singing & much, much mmore...the list is endless!

26th - 28th April

Find out more >

Stay in Porthleven

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Chapel Downs House

Chapel Downs House, Porthleven

From £932 - £2336
Sleeps 7 + cot

Chiva Som

Chiva Som, Porthleven

From £508 - £1230
Sleeps 4 + cot

Spindrift

Spindrift, Porthleven

From £652 - £1638
Sleeps 4 + cot

Shambrook

Shambrook, Porthleven

From £556 - £1293
Sleeps 6 + cot

Captain's Rest

Captain's Rest, Porthleven

From £662 - £1420
Sleeps 4 + cot

Anchorage Cottage, Porthleven

Anchorage Cottage, Porthleven, Porthleven

From £475 - £1063
Sleeps 4 + cot

14 Bay View

14 Bay View, Porthleven

From £993 - £2800
Sleeps 8 + cot

Raymond Cottage

Raymond Cottage, Porthleven

From £530 - £1331
Sleeps 6 + cot

Loe Cottage

Loe Cottage, Porthleven

From £777 - £1806
Sleeps 4 + cot

Havos

Havos, Porthleven

From £434 - £1091
Sleeps 4 + cot

Cliffwell House

Cliffwell House, Porthleven

From £530 - £1395
Sleeps 5 + cot

Chy an Mor

Chy an Mor, Porthleven

From £648 - £1260
Sleeps 2

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