Cornwall


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-nbsp">WHY?&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The UK’s most southerly working port, Porthleven on Cornwall’s south coast is a picturesque harbour town overlooking Mount’s Bay between Penzance and The Lizard. Porthleven lies within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the South West Coast Path passes through the town. The distinctive clock tower dominates the imposing harbour wall, and the waves crashing over it draws the winter storm watchers to the town – as well as many a cameo on weather forecaster’s backdrops. Like many Cornish coastal towns, Porthleven’s granite buildings huddle into the prevailing south-westerly winds and houses a hardy community that centres round harbour life, as well as foodies, creatives and holiday-makers who return year on year.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eat">EAT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXdDq2QsgixmbsVc8uJEEnAgBM2O628j8xGFRj6VvDnCq4l2keWCrfqne4diXw2v2RhSWGex_9VXbxXBngGZWJ-CS2Fz4eaeO3Vz4yftZFLBnLHY4va0j2AXCG0Rn5hyF6Ee9LtD7ATYVNJOLHKm8Otnjac?key=egrNQ-4BM7E0v0MLiAg2dw" alt="Jude Kereama Kota Restaurant Cornwall UK" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Kota</figcaption></figure>



<p>Porthleven is one of Cornwall’s original foodie hotspots, rivalling Padstow for award-winning restaurants. Muddy Award-winner <a href="https://www.thesquareatporthleven.co.uk/">The Square</a> is listed in the Michelin Guide, and locals rate <a href="https://cornwall.muddystilettos.co.uk/life/people/whats-cooking-jude-kereama-kota-restaurant-porthleven/">Jude Kereama</a>‘s Kota and Kota Kai. Jude was chef patron of 2024’s <a href="http://porthlevenfoodfestival.com/">Porthleven Food Festival</a> which draws crowds from Cornwall and further afield with a host of celebrity chefs in attendance. Also on the historic harbourside is Amélie, and new sister restaurant <a href="https://www.cantinaporthleven.com/">Cantina</a>. The Mussel Shoals – inspired in name by the famous Alabama recording studio – is also right on the front.</p>



<p>The original Origin Coffee shop at Harbour Head is the perfect place to sip an espresso and enjoy the maritime views. Ice-cream lovers from the young upwards rate Nauti But Ice. Drinkers are spoilt for choice for pubs, with The Ship Inn, the Atlantic Inn and the newly renovated <a href="https://harbourinnporthleven.co.uk/">Harbour Inn</a> all in the centre. Pasty lovers enjoy not one but two pasty shops – Ann’s Pasties, and Philps, and don’t miss <a href="https://www.cedsbagels.co.uk/">Ced’s Bagels</a>. In nearby Helston, Cast Café and the new Mexican <a href="https://www.instagram.com/pica_rico_deli/">Pica Rico deli</a> are both loved by the locals, with Cast Café hosting events with visiting famous chefs.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shop">SHOP</h2>



<p>Just Lily (ahem, another Muddy Award winner) began in Porthleven and you’ll find plants for sale from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/p/SaplingBud-100063806491583/">Sapling &amp; Bud</a>. Locals like the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/theshipyardmarket/">Shipyard Market</a>, where you’ll find Porthleven Beer Seller, as well artisan bakery <a href="https://porthlevenbeerseller.co.uk/">Butcher’s Bakehouse</a>, and there are a host of small independents gathered round the harbour, as well as two art galleries – Waves Surf Art Gallery and Muddy Awards finalist, The Customs House Gallery. For supermarkets it is 10 mins drive to nearby Helston, and then the bright shopping lights of Penzance and Falmouth are in opposite directions, depending on your sartorial needs.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-amp-wellbeing">HEALTH &amp; WELLBEING</h2>



<p><a href="http://climbcornwall.com/">Climb Cornwall</a> offers guided sea cliff climbing and kayaking is popular from the harbour itself. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/saltysistersporthleven/?hl=en-gb">The Salty Sisters Porthleven</a> swim regularly in local locations including the harbour. Mor Holam wood fired sauna offers weekend sauna sessions behind the Grade II listed Lime Kiln at the harbour.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-community">COMMUNITY</h2>



<p>Porthleven is a close-knit community of locals and returning visitors. Keep an eye out for the Porthleven Torchlight Procession which takes place on the August bank holiday, the Christmas Harbour Lights, and performances by the Porthleven Town Band, who just won the third section in the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain last year. Flora Day in nearby Helston is a big deal, held on 8 May each year.</p>



<p><a href="https://www.porthlevenfoodfestival.com/">Porthleven Food Festival</a> is an annual three-day event held in the town in April. Presented in partnership with acclaimed chef Jude Kereama, this <a href="https://cornwall.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/whats-on/whats-on-at-porthleven-food-festival/">free foodie event</a> is a must in the culinary calendar. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nearby-attractions">NEARBY ATTRACTIONS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXf9p7ihPB6FOv8mBfCd5TEuuhy04_i7YZZn2c0P9EX9fQegaDuZoocWYN33rb1S2F-d6qZkJCTFK49plmGKdCtbbGKXQXIrUAlGqfAGXdRvm4to0Lr-YPYARJDLDgvmb9IVA58gG7u_EP9aj-lsEgTlz3k?key=egrNQ-4BM7E0v0MLiAg2dw" alt="Porthleven Cornwall" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Porthleven</figcaption></figure>



<p>Porthleven sits on the coast of Mount’s Bay between Penzance and The Lizard, with both within easy access. The National Trust Penrose Estate and Loe Pool are nearby, with the sandy Praa Sands to the north and the National Trust beaches of Poldhu Cove, Gunwalloe Cove, and Kynance Cove to the south. The granite cliffs of Rinsey Cove hide Ray Pool, a large tidal seapool nestled in the foot of the cliffs – it is a bit of a scramble down but in calm clear weather, a must for wild swimmers.</p>



<p>Family attraction Flambards is just outside nearby Helston, along with Helston Railway, the Museum of Cornish Life and the Muddy Award-winning Cornish Seal Sanctuary not much further at Gweek. Wheal Prosper Tin Mine, although closed, sits high above the cliffs at Rinsey, and of course the iconic Bickford-Smith tower on the harbour wall is a local landmark.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-culture">CULTURE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXeKcL-sHcz_Gmh9uNNY70pyPH2khMTpYlNc0jE6XOAOG3SA9l51XdoujA7Fc5JsH-LDjxXJmbbIogGsBDMQ2kvKeH9XZuliBhroKNj2eMxtXWhWqhgNUF0-fSuaFbMo8aRdzkMd3-XqbkxINWKz7EM6gck?key=egrNQ-4BM7E0v0MLiAg2dw" alt="Dave and Bird Porthleven - sculpture overlooking Porthleven harbour at twilight" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Holly Bendall&#8217;s<em> Dave &amp; Bird</em> sculpture overlooking Porthleven harbour</figcaption></figure>



<p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/porthlevenarts/?hl=en">Porthleven Arts Festival</a> often runs in October, with more than 60 events across the town including exhibitions, art, workshops, music, poetry and performance, although it is taking a break for 2024. Last year’s festival saw the unveiling of harbour-side sculpture, ‘Waiting For Fish’, a life-size bronze sculpture of a man and bird by local artist Holly Bendall. Based on a real-life resident, the sculpture is affectionately known locally as ‘Dave and Bird’.</p>



<p><a href="https://c-a-s-t.org.uk/">Cast Helston</a> is an arts and science centre dedicated to enriching cultural life in Cornwall and the South West and encouraging national and international connection and exchange – working with partners such as the Eden Project and other contemporary art events. <a href="https://www.trevowhelston.co.uk/">Trevow Helston</a> is a local pop-up theatre company with big ambitions, one of which is to repurpose underused spaces in the centre of Helston, breathing new life into these often beautiful and historic spaces, and in Porthleven itself, the Out of the Blue pub is home to the Porthleven Museum.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-average-house-prices">AVERAGE HOUSE PRICES</h2>



<p>Properties in Porthleven had an overall average price of  £392,878 over the last year. The majority of sales were detached, selling for £525,195. Semis sold for £404,312., with terraced houses fetching £258,833. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">HOT PROPERTY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1333" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/07/Porthleven.jpeg" alt="This 4 bed semi detached character cottage is the heart of Porthleven. On the market for £550,000." class="wp-image-34585" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/07/Porthleven.jpeg 1333w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/07/Porthleven-800x600.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/07/Porthleven-1000x750.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/07/Porthleven-768x576.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1333px) 100vw, 1333px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">This 4 bed semi detached character cottage is the heart of Porthleven. <a href="https://christophers.uk.com/wellmore%2C-porthleven%2C-helston~3534" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">On the market for £550,000</a>.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nurseries">NURSERIES</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.firststepscornwall.co.uk/porthleven-nursery/">First Steps Nursery</a> in Porthleven is part of the St Elvan’s Children Centre, offering care for children aged 0 – 8 yrs, as well as running courses that parents can attend to enhance parenting and family life.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-schools-nbsp">SCHOOLS&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Porthleven Primary School is the village school. Helston Community College is the local secondary, with a sixth form, part of Truro &amp; Penwith Academy Trust. If you’re after independents you’re going to have to travel – <a href="https://www.stpiranshayle.net/">St Piran’s School </a>is in Hayle on the north coast, or it is up into Truro where you’ve got the choice of <a href="https://www.polwhelehouse.co.uk/">Polwhele House School</a>, <a href="https://cornwall.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/truro-school/">Truro School</a>, <a href="https://cornwall.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/muddy-guide-to-the-best-schools-2-truro-high-school-for-girls/">Truro High School for Girls</a> and <a href="https://cornwall.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/truro-prep-school-review/">Truro Prep</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-kept-secret-nbsp">BEST KEPT SECRET&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Surfers reckon Porthleven is Cornwall’s best reef break, and allegedly ‘Bez’, the maraca-wealding dancer of 90s band, <em>The Happy Mondays</em>, has a fishing boat in Porthleven. China Clay was first discovered here in an extinct volcano and the leader of the Dambuster Raid Guy Gibson VC, has a road named after him as he regarded Porthleven as his hometown.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-commute">COMMUTE</h2>



<p>It’s a 10 min drive to Helston where RNAS Culdrose is one of the area’s major employers, and around 30 mins up to Falmouth. Penzance is the nearest station, the very end of the track, so you can be at London Paddington in a not-very commutable length of 5.5hrs. There is the option of the Night Riviera sleeper service to emerge meeting-ready at 6.45am in Paddington though, should you need a more occasional option.</p>



<p><em>View the full <a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live">Top 300 Best Places to Live</a>.</em> </p>


Porthleven

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