Porthtowan
Porthtowan is a small village and is a popular summer tourist destination which lies within the Cornwall Mining Landscape, a World Heritage Site. Porthtowan lies on Cornwall's north Atlantic coast about 2 km (1.2 miles) west of St Agnes, 4 km (2.5 miles) north of Redruth, 10 km (6.2 miles) west of Truro and 15 km (9.3 miles) south-west of Newquay.
Mainline railway services, including the nightsleeper service, from London, stop at Redruth and Truro. Newquay Airport is nearby and private jets, charters and helicopters are served by Perranporth airfields. Its name comes from the Cornish words 'porth' and 'tewynn' to mean Cove of Sand Dunes.
Porthtowan's history is associated with mining and one of its most prominent buildings is a former engine house converted for residential use. It is also within walking distance by National Trust coastal walks to nearby Chapel Porth, Wheal Coates, Trevaunance Cove and St Agnes.
Porthtowan owes much of its present day character to its popularity as a local seaside resort in Victorian and Edwardian times when the local populace from Redruth and the surrounding areas went there, particularly on Bank Holidays. Overlooking Porthtowan are the remains of Wheal Towan, one of Cornwall's most prolific 18th century copper mines, which provided Ralph Allen Daniell of Trellissick with a fortune estimated at the time as a "guinea a minute" night and day.
Porthtowan has a Blue Flag Beach consisting of wide soft white sands and dunes.
Porthtowan has more recently become well known as a surf resort and the surfclub building can be found directly on the beach. This is where the judges can be found for the annual SAS Rip Curl Cornish and Open Longboard Championship which is widely covered by the local radio station Atlantic FM. The beach is kept under the constant scrutiny of the St Agnes based charity Surfers Against Sewage.
Porthtowan is conveniently located just off the A30, ideal for exploring the rest of Cornwall and its various sights and attractions - in an idyllic and tranquil area of the north Cornish coastline. The boutique resorts of St. Ives, with its own Tate gallery, the Maritime Museum in Falmouth and the Blue Reef Aquarium in Newquay; a town famous for its surf culture and numerous competitions are all just a short drive away from The Cove.
This small beach village also has possibly the coolest bar in the South West (Blue Bar) with excellent food, sunset views and free WiFi, a convenience store, post office, Fish and Chip shop and surf hire.
Porthtowan's best features:-