Around Portloe:
Things to see
Garden
The idea of turning an old china clay pit into an enormous covered garden with tropical plants seemed bonkers but it has now all matured is a wonderful place to visit with so much information about the plants.
1516 locals recommend
Eden Project
The idea of turning an old china clay pit into an enormous covered garden with tropical plants seemed bonkers but it has now all matured is a wonderful place to visit with so much information about the plants.
Fantastic rhododendrons and camellias, Italian and inspiring vegetable garden but also a really interesting place for a non gardener … and a lovely walk including a real “jungle” feel when the gunnera are full size!
1465 locals recommend
The Lost Gardens of Heligan
Fantastic rhododendrons and camellias, Italian and inspiring vegetable garden but also a really interesting place for a non gardener … and a lovely walk including a real “jungle” feel when the gunnera are full size!
Not only an interesting house and garden but wonderful walks around the estate along the estuary where you often see enormous ships moored up when not in use. After a good walk you can reward yourself with coffee/lunch/tea in their super restaurant with seating in a large courtyard.
It’s great fun to use the King Harry car ferry to get there and then you can make a round trip back through Truro or visit Falmouth.
265 locals recommend
Trelissick House & Gardens
Not only an interesting house and garden but wonderful walks around the estate along the estuary where you often see enormous ships moored up when not in use. After a good walk you can reward yourself with coffee/lunch/tea in their super restaurant with seating in a large courtyard.
It’s great fun to use the King Harry car ferry to get there and then you can make a round trip back through Truro or visit Falmouth.
An amazing tropical garden with the sea as a backdrop … on a warm sunny day you will find it hard to believe you are in the UK!
611 locals recommend
Trebah Garden
An amazing tropical garden with the sea as a backdrop … on a warm sunny day you will find it hard to believe you are in the UK!
Three valleys of gardens including a 180 year old maze which lead down to the Helford River. The tropical planting really makes you feel like you are somewhere exotic abroad.
Lots of wild flowers in the spring but the garden does not open until Saturday 19th February 2022.
229 locals recommend
Glendurgan Garden
Three valleys of gardens including a 180 year old maze which lead down to the Helford River. The tropical planting really makes you feel like you are somewhere exotic abroad.
Lots of wild flowers in the spring but the garden does not open until Saturday 19th February 2022.
I love this place. There are lots of tropical gardens in Cornwall because of the better temperatures and less frost, but this one really is unique - I almost feel like I am back in Italy (with a Japanese twist!). The rhododendrons and azaleas are particularly stunning in May but there is always something to see because the structure of this hillside garden is so good - including a great view of the lighthouse at St Anthoneys Head.
Lamorran
I love this place. There are lots of tropical gardens in Cornwall because of the better temperatures and less frost, but this one really is unique - I almost feel like I am back in Italy (with a Japanese twist!). The rhododendrons and azaleas are particularly stunning in May but there is always something to see because the structure of this hillside garden is so good - including a great view of the lighthouse at St Anthoneys Head.
This Castle is a personal favourite to visit and lots of my knowledgeable gardening friends ask to visit. It is still private family home that is only open to the public Feb - June. You are rewarded with the most beautiful woodland garden walks best known for the Azaleas and rhododendrons, most of which are named so if you fall in love and want one of your own …..
Very friendly cafe in the castle.
The car park is by the beach which is also beautiful and much less crowded than the better known beaches, so if it’s a nice day, pack a picnic!
NB The castle is very near Portloe but the roads to get there are very narrow.
91 locals recommend
Caerhays Castle
This Castle is a personal favourite to visit and lots of my knowledgeable gardening friends ask to visit. It is still private family home that is only open to the public Feb - June. You are rewarded with the most beautiful woodland garden walks best known for the Azaleas and rhododendrons, most of which are named so if you fall in love and want one of your own …..
Very friendly cafe in the castle.
The car park is by the beach which is also beautiful and much less crowded than the better known beaches, so if it’s a nice day, pack a picnic!
NB The castle is very near Portloe but the roads to get there are very narrow.
Sightseeing
A very popular sailing spot and an easy drive from Portloe and a lovely place to visit with lovely cafes, restaurants, interesting shops and independent galleries.
I would especially recommend the St Mawes Hotel for lunch (lovely mussels!) but do book in advance. Alternatively, if you would like to treat yourselves try the Tresanton Hotel.
You can go on fishing trips from here or take the regular little foot ferry to Falmouth, past the castles that guard the entrance to the River Fal, taking a boat is much more fun and direct than the road route!
149 locals recommend
St Mawes
A very popular sailing spot and an easy drive from Portloe and a lovely place to visit with lovely cafes, restaurants, interesting shops and independent galleries.
I would especially recommend the St Mawes Hotel for lunch (lovely mussels!) but do book in advance. Alternatively, if you would like to treat yourselves try the Tresanton Hotel.
You can go on fishing trips from here or take the regular little foot ferry to Falmouth, past the castles that guard the entrance to the River Fal, taking a boat is much more fun and direct than the road route!
This is a true gem and if you have already been in any of the local galleries I am sure you will have already seen paintings of it! A beautiful Medieval church tucked away by the creek with a churchyard described by John Betjeman as "to many people the most beautiful on earth" with winding paths, bamboos and streams. Miss V’s Teashop is over the other side of the road with plenty of parking.
44 locals recommend
St Just in Roseland Church
This is a true gem and if you have already been in any of the local galleries I am sure you will have already seen paintings of it! A beautiful Medieval church tucked away by the creek with a churchyard described by John Betjeman as "to many people the most beautiful on earth" with winding paths, bamboos and streams. Miss V’s Teashop is over the other side of the road with plenty of parking.
A nice village to visit with inner and outer protective harbour walls and a busy place for fishermen to land their catch. There is a small aquarium in the old RNLI lifeboat house to raise awareness and bridge the gap between the fishing industry and general public. (Free but donation appreciated) Mevagissey is full of character with narrow streets, pubs, shops and galleries.
196 locals recommend
Mevagissey
A nice village to visit with inner and outer protective harbour walls and a busy place for fishermen to land their catch. There is a small aquarium in the old RNLI lifeboat house to raise awareness and bridge the gap between the fishing industry and general public. (Free but donation appreciated) Mevagissey is full of character with narrow streets, pubs, shops and galleries.
A pretty town with a working port and lots of sailing boats, very busy in May for the annual Daphne du Maurier Festival in May. There is an aquarium next to the Town Hall and for theatre lovers it may be worth having a look online for the "Troy Players". Lots of shops, art galleries, pubs, restaurants and cafes - we particularly like "Lazy Jack's"!
You can take a ferry across the estuary to Polruan and Bodinnick (prices from 2020) and there is a challenging but rewarding walk between all three, using two different ferry crossings -
https://www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk/walksdb/46/
64 locals recommend
Harbour Hotel Fowey
A pretty town with a working port and lots of sailing boats, very busy in May for the annual Daphne du Maurier Festival in May. There is an aquarium next to the Town Hall and for theatre lovers it may be worth having a look online for the "Troy Players". Lots of shops, art galleries, pubs, restaurants and cafes - we particularly like "Lazy Jack's"!
You can take a ferry across the estuary to Polruan and Bodinnick (prices from 2020) and there is a challenging but rewarding walk between all three, using two different ferry crossings -
https://www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk/walksdb/46/
This is an open air theatre perched on a cliff top where the sun sets as a backdrop to the stage. The word "Minack" comes from the Cornish "Meynek" meaning rocky place and was built by 100 years ago by an extraordinary, eccentric Edwardian lady called Rowena Cade. She used only hand tools (and the odd stick of dynamite!) and etched designs into the wet concrete with her screwdriver! Have a look at the seats into which are carved the names and dates of plays performed here.
I would really recommend that you see a performance if you can get a ticket - this is the link https://www.minack.com/whats-on/by-genre?genre=performances
1522 locals recommend
Minack Theatre
This is an open air theatre perched on a cliff top where the sun sets as a backdrop to the stage. The word "Minack" comes from the Cornish "Meynek" meaning rocky place and was built by 100 years ago by an extraordinary, eccentric Edwardian lady called Rowena Cade. She used only hand tools (and the odd stick of dynamite!) and etched designs into the wet concrete with her screwdriver! Have a look at the seats into which are carved the names and dates of plays performed here.
I would really recommend that you see a performance if you can get a ticket - this is the link https://www.minack.com/whats-on/by-genre?genre=performances
I have to be honest and say that I am often a bit disappointed by the artwork that I have seen here, but I love the building itself and there is an excellent cafe with great views.
For artwork I would always recommend the Barbara Hepworth Sculpture Garden below.
890 locals recommend
St Ives Bookseller
I have to be honest and say that I am often a bit disappointed by the artwork that I have seen here, but I love the building itself and there is an excellent cafe with great views.
For artwork I would always recommend the Barbara Hepworth Sculpture Garden below.
If you like art you MUST find time to visit this museum!
I only dropped in here originally because I had come to St Ives for the Tate but it surpassed all expectation! It is set in her original studio (very much left as it was) and garden with sculptures everywhere - you really have the feeling that she might just show up at any time and wonder why her garden is full of people.
502 locals recommend
Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden
If you like art you MUST find time to visit this museum!
I only dropped in here originally because I had come to St Ives for the Tate but it surpassed all expectation! It is set in her original studio (very much left as it was) and garden with sculptures everywhere - you really have the feeling that she might just show up at any time and wonder why her garden is full of people.
Not far from Penzance and overlooking St Michaels Mount you will find a sheltered Valley of tropical plants interwoven with contemporary sculptures by internationally renowned artists including James Turrell, David Nash and Richard Long. It also has two exhibition spaces set in oak framed buildings.
Open mid Feb to end of October.
298 locals recommend
Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens
Not far from Penzance and overlooking St Michaels Mount you will find a sheltered Valley of tropical plants interwoven with contemporary sculptures by internationally renowned artists including James Turrell, David Nash and Richard Long. It also has two exhibition spaces set in oak framed buildings.
Open mid Feb to end of October.
This is a stunning National Trust natural tidal island linked to Marazion by an man-made granite causeway that is only passable between mid-tide and low water, taking about 15 minutes to cross. (NT members don't have to pay to enter but still need to book)
Visiting the castle, gardens, shops and cafe will probably take you around 4 hours.
*Best to park in the St Michaels Mount Long Stay Marazion car park - postcode for satnav reference "Folly Field" TR17 0EG (Parking fees apply)
958 locals recommend
St. Michael's Mount
This is a stunning National Trust natural tidal island linked to Marazion by an man-made granite causeway that is only passable between mid-tide and low water, taking about 15 minutes to cross. (NT members don't have to pay to enter but still need to book)
Visiting the castle, gardens, shops and cafe will probably take you around 4 hours.
*Best to park in the St Michaels Mount Long Stay Marazion car park - postcode for satnav reference "Folly Field" TR17 0EG (Parking fees apply)
Great beaches nearby
This is a sandy beach just the other side of Veryan. There is a large car park and when the tide is out the beach is enormous. Great for swimming and families to enjoy.
Up above the beach is the Nare Hotel, a great place for a cup of coffee or a meal (just check they are taking non-residents with covid restrictions)
48 locals recommend
Carne Beach
This is a sandy beach just the other side of Veryan. There is a large car park and when the tide is out the beach is enormous. Great for swimming and families to enjoy.
Up above the beach is the Nare Hotel, a great place for a cup of coffee or a meal (just check they are taking non-residents with covid restrictions)
Voted Cornwall’s Number 1 of 51 beaches by Cornwall Live in 2018! In low tide it connects with Carne beach to form a huge expanse of soft sand. A great beach to swim but, as usual, always better to swim on an incoming tide!
If driving, its just the other side of Veryan with a good sized car park but if you don’t like the tiny lanes you can take the long way around on the main road. Pendower has sand dunes between the beach & carpark, popular for families & groups to BBQ in the evenings or set up ‘camp’ for the day.
Pendower car park also has toilets. TR2 5PE. There is a freshwater stream running into the beach dam building!
At the back of the car park you will find a lovely path that takes you up to Melinsey Mill cafe in about half an hour.
31 locals recommend
Pendower Beach
Voted Cornwall’s Number 1 of 51 beaches by Cornwall Live in 2018! In low tide it connects with Carne beach to form a huge expanse of soft sand. A great beach to swim but, as usual, always better to swim on an incoming tide!
If driving, its just the other side of Veryan with a good sized car park but if you don’t like the tiny lanes you can take the long way around on the main road. Pendower has sand dunes between the beach & carpark, popular for families & groups to BBQ in the evenings or set up ‘camp’ for the day.
Pendower car park also has toilets. TR2 5PE. There is a freshwater stream running into the beach dam building!
At the back of the car park you will find a lovely path that takes you up to Melinsey Mill cafe in about half an hour.
A wide sandy beach with rock pools at one end and a slipway at the other just outside Portscatho. This is also where The Hidden Hut is located (see places to eat). There is road parking at Rosevine & a slipway to the beach, but this can get very busy. Alternatively, park in the Portscatho car park, it only takes about 5 minutes to walk from here across the field in the photo, final access to the beach is via steps. There are toilets in summer & on additional special dates when the Hut is open. TR2 5EW
24 locals recommend
Porthcurnick Beach
A wide sandy beach with rock pools at one end and a slipway at the other just outside Portscatho. This is also where The Hidden Hut is located (see places to eat). There is road parking at Rosevine & a slipway to the beach, but this can get very busy. Alternatively, park in the Portscatho car park, it only takes about 5 minutes to walk from here across the field in the photo, final access to the beach is via steps. There are toilets in summer & on additional special dates when the Hut is open. TR2 5EW
Owned & managed by the private Caerhays Estate (pronounced “Crays”), these sandy beaches have fresh water streams run onto the beaches and rock pools divide east & west. The east beach is much larger. Calm and good for swimming and kayaking (you can hire kayaks here). There are a couple of parking spots on the west side wall or drive over the hill to the east side where there is a little carpark (donations requested), toilets and also a tea shop.
It’s a lovely walk from Portloe over to Portholland – the coast path is clearly marked. It’s a hilly climb as you’ll see looking up & east from Portloe harbour & it doesn’t get much easier going along the way – take drinks if you choose this route on a warm, sunny day. It takes about 1.5 hours on the coast path to Potholland. There’s an alternative route inland via Cruggan Farm & the small road & then right onto the bridleway which leads you down to the beach. This inland route is a little easier on the knees! & takes about 45 minutes. PL26 6NA for sat-navs if you decide to drive (the road is very narrow).
12 locals recommend
Portholland
Owned & managed by the private Caerhays Estate (pronounced “Crays”), these sandy beaches have fresh water streams run onto the beaches and rock pools divide east & west. The east beach is much larger. Calm and good for swimming and kayaking (you can hire kayaks here). There are a couple of parking spots on the west side wall or drive over the hill to the east side where there is a little carpark (donations requested), toilets and also a tea shop.
It’s a lovely walk from Portloe over to Portholland – the coast path is clearly marked. It’s a hilly climb as you’ll see looking up & east from Portloe harbour & it doesn’t get much easier going along the way – take drinks if you choose this route on a warm, sunny day. It takes about 1.5 hours on the coast path to Potholland. There’s an alternative route inland via Cruggan Farm & the small road & then right onto the bridleway which leads you down to the beach. This inland route is a little easier on the knees! & takes about 45 minutes. PL26 6NA for sat-navs if you decide to drive (the road is very narrow).
Just south of Gorran Haven with a carpark at Lamledra Farm or walk across from the NT carpark at Penare, inland on Dodman Point. A shingle beach at high tide with a lovely long stretch of sand at low tide. There are no facilities here, so take what you need. PL26 6JS
31 locals recommend
Vault Beach
Just south of Gorran Haven with a carpark at Lamledra Farm or walk across from the NT carpark at Penare, inland on Dodman Point. A shingle beach at high tide with a lovely long stretch of sand at low tide. There are no facilities here, so take what you need. PL26 6JS
Another pleasant sandy beach that is often deserted probably because there are only 2 parking places at the beach itself, however there is a NT carpark at Penare only a 15 minute walk away. There’s no facilities here and it’s a small beach but it’s also a lovely spot, and a good place to start or finish a walk around Dodman Point. PL26 6LL
24 locals recommend
Hemmick Beach
Another pleasant sandy beach that is often deserted probably because there are only 2 parking places at the beach itself, however there is a NT carpark at Penare only a 15 minute walk away. There’s no facilities here and it’s a small beach but it’s also a lovely spot, and a good place to start or finish a walk around Dodman Point. PL26 6LL