Pictures of Porthcurno
in the county of Cornwall
About Porthcurno
You do not have to go to Greece or Italy to enjoy the delights of open air theatre. Porthcurno is the home of the unique Minack Theatre, whose magnificent setting rivals that of any open air theatre to be found anywhere. The theatre has a long history that stretches back to 1932 when it first opened with a performance of The Tempest, since when thousands have flocked to this the Minack to enjoy the pleasures of Theatre in a picturesque setting.
High granite cliffs shelter the beautiful white sandy beach which is both a sun trap and a haven for sun worshippers. Porthcurno is safe for swimming and surfing and in the summer months gaily painted canoes, fishing boats and yachts, provide a colourful spectacle along the shore-line. There are many attractive coastal walks which offer glorious views over land and sea. The area is home to an abundance of wildlife with some rare and beautiful flowers and plants flourishing in the fields and meadows of the surrounding countryside.
There are many myths and legends surrounding these ancient parts of Cornwall and you will have no difficulty finding a local inn with a friendly 'mine host' happy to regale you with tales of the days when smuggling provided the main income for many local families. Times in those days may have been hard but the folk-lore is certainly stirring and colourful.
All along this famous coastline you will find attractive villages, intreguing little coves and beautiful bays and beaches. One of the most exquisite spots is a site which is now owned by the national trust, Treryn Dinas. This is a high, jagged headland that was fortified during the iron-age, it affords the most wonderful vista's in every direction.
Planning a visit? Please see below for other recommended towns, attractions and recommended hotels nearby.
Distances and directions below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner
Recommended attractions near Porthcurno
| Minack Theatre | (0.5 miles, 0.8 km) | Pictures |
| Lands End | (2.9 miles, 4.6 km, direction NW) | Pictures |
| Tregiffian Burial Chamber | (3.3 miles, 5.3 km, direction NE) | Pictures |
| Tater Du Lighthouse | (3.4 miles, 5.5 km, direction E) | Pictures |
| Longships Lighthouse | (3.9 miles, 6.4 km, direction NW) | Pictures |
| Cape Cornwall | (6.2 miles, 10.0 km, direction N) | Pictures |
| Chun Castle | (7.2 miles, 11.6 km, direction N) | Pictures |
| Chun Quoit | (7.3 miles, 11.8 km, direction N) | Pictures |
| Levant Mine & Beam Engine | (7.6 miles, 12.2 km, direction N) | Pictures |
| Lanyon Quoit | (7.6 miles, 12.2 km, direction NE) | Pictures |
| Men-an-Tol | (8.2 miles, 13.2 km, direction N) | Pictures |
| Pendeen Lighthouse | (8.4 miles, 13.5 km, direction N) | Pictures |
| Chysauster Ancient Village | (9.6 miles, 15.5 km, direction NE) | Pictures |
| St Michaels Mount | (9.8 miles, 15.7 km, direction NE) | Pictures |
| Prussia Cove | (11.3 miles, 18.2 km, direction E) | Pictures |
All attractions in PorthcurnoAll attractions in CornwallComplete A to Z of attractions in EnglandRecommended towns near Porthcurno
Sennen in the county of Cornwall (2.4 miles, 3.9 km, direction NW)
Sennen is but a stone's throw from the towering cliffs of Land's End from which there are magnificent views across a swirling deep blue ocean, its waves, tinged with a creamy-white froth, sometimes hiding bulky, basking sharks.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Sennen Cove in the county of Cornwall (2.9 miles, 4.7 km, direction NW)
Sennen Cove lies at the foot of steeply rising slopes to which old whitewashed cottages cling haphazardly around the hillside.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
St Just in the county of Cornwall (5.7 miles, 9.2 km, direction N)
Attractive town dominated by its historic parish church, superb town clock and the handsome building of the Wellington Hotel overlooking the market square.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Mousehole in the county of Cornwall (5.9 miles, 9.4 km, direction NE)
This delightful coastal village, with its wealth of history, lovely old harbour and beautiful headland walks, makes an interesting base for exploring the superb scenery of Mount's Bay and Land's End.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Botallack in the county of Cornwall (6.6 miles, 10.6 km, direction N)
Botallack is an historic village attracting many visitors to its heritage coastline which is dotted with the workings of old, long abandoned mines.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Trewellard in the county of Cornwall (7.1 miles, 11.4 km, direction N)
Looking at the quiet beauty of wave lashed Botallack Head you can see all that remains of one of the most successful of all Cornwall's mines.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Penzance in the county of Cornwall (7.3 miles, 11.8 km, direction NE)
A jolly town with a year round holiday atmosphere, where everyone is made to feel welcome.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Madron in the county of Cornwall (7.4 miles, 11.9 km, direction NE)
The beautiful church dedicated to St.Maddern is the focal point of the village. Interestingly, it was once the village church...
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Pendeen in the county of Cornwall (7.5 miles, 12.0 km, direction N)
In this fascinating area of old Cornish Tin Mines, Pendeen Lighthouse, built in 1900 to guide shipping off the coast between Cape Cornwall and Gunard's Head, makes a striking feature.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Marazion in the county of Cornwall (10.2 miles, 16.3 km, direction NE)
The picturesque village of Marazion with its quaint cottages, shops and pubs, is in a sublime position on the west Cornwall peninsula
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Zennor in the county of Cornwall (11.0 miles, 17.7 km, direction NE)
This hauntingly beautiful village stands starkly above cliifs that in parts are over 300ft above the sea.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Praa Sands in the county of Cornwall (13.1 miles, 21.1 km, direction E)
Magnificent gorse covered acres form a superb back drop to a seemingly endless stretch of golden sands which continues to draw countless visitors to Praa Sands.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Carbis Bay in the county of Cornwall (13.4 miles, 21.5 km, direction NE)
Carbis, is a deeply curving, sheltered bay of soft golden sand that makes it a haven for sea-bathing.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Lelant in the county of Cornwall (13.7 miles, 22.0 km, direction NE)
The estuary on which the pretty holiday resort of Lelant stands is a paradise for bird watchers, it is also an old village with a long maritime history.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
St Ives in the county of Cornwall (14.0 miles, 22.5 km, direction NE)
There is a magical quality surrounding the whole of the Cornish coast of which St.Ives is a small but special part.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
All towns in CornwallComplete A to Z of towns in EnglandNearby travel help
| Penzance Station | (7.6 miles, 12.3 km, direction NE) |
| St. Erth Station | (12.9 miles, 20.8 km, direction NE) |
| St. Mary's Airport | (29.5 miles, 47.4 km, direction W) |
| Newquay (Cornwall) Airport | (39.9 miles, 64.2 km, direction NE) |
| M5 Junction 31 | (104.5 miles, 168.1 km, direction NE) |
| M5 Junction 30 | (107.5 miles, 172.9 km, direction NE) |
| Porthcurno to London | (262.6 miles, 422.6 km, direction E) |
Hotels & Accommodation in Porthcurno
| Hotel Name | Approximate distance from Porthcurno center |
| Camilla House | (7.4 miles, 11.9 km, direction NE) |
| Blue Seas Hotel | (7.4 miles, 11.9 km, direction NE) |
| Tarbert Hotel | (7.4 miles, 11.9 km, direction NE) |
| Hotel Penzance | (7.8 miles, 12.5 km, direction NE) |
| Carbis Bay Hotel | (13.6 miles, 21.9 km, direction NE) |
| All hotels in Porthcurno |
