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Porthallow Cove



OS Grid ref:- SW796233

Porthallow Cove situated on the east coast of the The Lizard peninsula just south of the Helford River, was once the centre of a thriving pilchard fishing industry. The name translates as "port at the end of the moor".

The easterly facing shingle beach boasts superb views across the mouth of the Helford and Fal rivers to The Roseland Peninsula . Rock pools appear on the beach at low tide wwhile parking is allowed on the beach. A large car park is also situated by the beach, with toilets facilities, beach café, pub, shops and other amenities nearby, including a vineyard.

Porthallow Cove attracts geologists from far and wide as it lies on the geological boundary fault line which separates Lizard Peninsula from the rest of Cornwall. Manacles Reef, a perilous rocky area that has sunk many oncoming ships, lays just a mile off shore.

There are some stunning coastal walks along the dramatic crags of Nare head down to Nare point at the mouth of Gillan Creek. Porthallow Cove lies within the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The valley footpath passes through areas covered with a rich carpet of bluebells in the springtime. Whilst walking in the area buzzards, goldfinches, woodpeckers, cormorants, shags, oyster catchers, various gulls, heron, egret, swans, seals, basking sharks and dolphins may all be sighted.


Porthallow Village

The small but characterful Cornish fishing village of Porthallow (known locally as "Pralla), remains unspoilt and uncommercialised and has much to offer the visitor.

Both the old village pub, the Five Pilchards and The Beach Cafe cater for evening meals. The pub's name "Five Pilchards" derives from the traditional Cornish way of counting pilchards in groups of five. The building is believed to date back over 300 years, but documentation of the fact is difficult to produce. The building as it now stands is an extension with the original forge and stable which is still found on the premises. The interior features a fascinating display of nautical artifacts. The village also has Porthallow Arts with a selection of local crafts and a Post Office stores.

The Trelowarren estate which previously owned the village leased it to The Porthallow Pilchard Curing Company from 1914 to 1937. It was then bought by the Porthallow Institute and Reading Room. In 1971, Trustees from the village bought and ran the beach. The South West Coastal Coastal Path runs through the village. From the coastal path there are fabulous views across Falmouth Bay to St Mawes and beyond.


Image 2 Courtesy of Llamaslayer



Cornish Towns and Villages

Cornish Landscape