Porthtowan
OS Grid ref:- SW 690483
The coastal village of Porthtowan, a popular holiday destination, is situated between the villages of St. Agnes and Portreath on Cornwall's west coast.
The name derives from the Cornish words 'Porth Tewyn', meaning cove of sand dunes. Porthtowan is situated along the 627-hectare (1,550-acre) Godrevy Head to St Agnes heritage coast and lies in an area of outstanding natural beauty in West Cornwall.
Porthtowan is situated in narrow winding valley flanked by soaring granite cliffs Facilities include the popular Blue Bar & Kitchen, cafes, beach shops, surf shops, water sports equipment hire, a children's play-park, a large public car park.
There is a a good sandy Blue Flag award winning beach which is backed by large dunes and dramatic cliffs. Extensive Porthtowan beach is excellent for surfing and hosts a number of surfing championships each year. The beach at Porthtowan has a lifeguard in high season and has a salt water bathing pool, a wall protects the pool from the crashing waves of the Atlantic.
It is possible to walk across the beach to St. Agnes at low tide and there are spectacular views over to St. Ive's lighthouse and harbour to the south. Porthtowan and Agnes Head is one of Cornwall's largest remaining heathlands.
The village became a frequented resort in Victorian and Edwardian times, when the local populace from the nearby town of Redruth and the surrounding areas visited there .
Porthtowan has a rich history of mining, examples of abandoned mines litter the landscape. Wheal Towan overlooks the village, it dates from the eighteenth century and was once one of Cornwall's most famous mines. Owned by Ralph Allen Daniell of Trelissick who it is treputed to have earned a guinea a minute, day and night from the mine during its heyday . Echo Corner mine stack is still visible. All along the heather decked cliffs the solitary remains of derelict mine buildings can be seen.Directions
Directions
Follow signposts to Porthtowan and take the small turning towards the coast. Either park in the large car park behind the Blue Bar or take a left just after the shop and park on the beach.