Pictures of Porthleven
About Porthleven
Porthleven lies cradled within Mounts Bay on Cornwall's south-west coast. It is Cornwall's most southerly working port, renowned for its spectacular setting and for the panoramic views of the wide sweep of Mounts Bay. The distant hinterland view is of a gently rising hillside covered in pretty buildings backed by a landscape of rolling countryside dotted with a few scattered farms.
Porthleven has two picturesque harbours - the inner harbour is lined with dazzling white cottages, with the walls of the outer harbour giving shelter from the often tumultuous seas. Summertime sees a constant flow of fishing and sailing vessel's vying for position at the harbour-side.
The resort is full of attractive features, it has been the haunt of artist's for many decades, some arrive and are so enchanted with the place that they decide to stay on - thus visitors are able to buy their "new" work in local galleries and craft shops.
This is a very friendly village which holds fast to traditional Cornish customs, the Ship Inn is the place to go to join the locals and listen to old Cornish yarns and tales of smuggling. There are a few good shops, plenty of leisure facilities including tennis, football and cricket, sea fishing trips can be arranged and of course there are splendid golden beaches to relax on. The Cornish Coastal Path runs right through Porthleven giving plenty of opportunity to sample lovely walks with fine sea and coastal views.
There are lots of places to visit in the region including old tin and copper mines, the Poldark mine can be found just a short distance from Helston. There is a nature reserve, Penrose Park with its large fresh water lake, and you will find several beautiful gardens to explore situated around the mouth of the Helford River.
Visitors will find tea-rooms, cafe's and restaurants, nearly all serve locally caught fish and seafood, and for those who wish spend time in the area there is an abundance of friendly accommodation ranging from hotels to bed and breakfast, and holiday cottages.
Porthleven hosts annual events, the most popular of these is Lifeboat Day which usually takes place at the end of July.
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 Porthleven
| Poldown Caravan & Country Park | (1.8 miles, 2.9 km, direction W) | Pictures |
| Flambards Village | (2.1 miles, 3.4 km, direction E) | Pictures |
| Rinsey Head | (2.7 miles, 4.4 km, direction W) | Pictures |
| Trevarno Country Estate & Gardens | (2.8 miles, 4.5 km, direction N) | Pictures |
| Poldark Mines | (4.5 miles, 7.3 km, direction NE) | Pictures |
| The National Seal Sanctuary | (4.8 miles, 7.6 km, direction E) | Pictures |
| Prussia Cove | (4.9 miles, 7.8 km, direction W) | Pictures |
| River Valley Country Park | (6.4 miles, 10.2 km, direction NW) | Pictures |
| Frenchmans Creek | (7.2 miles, 11.6 km, direction E) | Pictures |
| Goonhilly Downs | (7.2 miles, 11.7 km, direction SE) | Pictures |
| St Michaels Mount | (7.3 miles, 11.7 km, direction W) | Pictures |
| Trebah Garden | (8.6 miles, 13.8 km, direction E) | Pictures |
| Glendurgan Garden | (8.8 miles, 14.2 km, direction E) | Pictures |
| Carn Brae Castle | (9.7 miles, 15.6 km, direction N) | Pictures |
| Lizard Lighthouse | (10.0 miles, 16.1 km, direction SE) | Pictures |
All attractions in PorthlevenAll attractions in CornwallComplete A to Z of attractions in EnglandRecommended towns near Porthleven
Gunwalloe, in the county of Cornwall (2.7 miles, 4.3 km, direction SE)
The coast along here is of great beauty, there are grassy promontories, dramatic headlands, sandy coves, and picturesque harbours.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Praa Sands, in the county of Cornwall (3.0 miles, 4.9 km, direction W)
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
Gweek, in the county of Cornwall (4.5 miles, 7.3 km, direction E)
Gweek existed as a thriving port for several hundred years, this fact is evidenced by the Old quays.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Mullion, in the county of Cornwall (5.3 miles, 8.5 km, direction SE)
One glance around this attractive town tells you that Mullion has always been a prosperous little place.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Marazion, in the county of Cornwall (7.3 miles, 11.8 km, direction NW)
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
Hayle, in the county of Cornwall (8.3 miles, 13.4 km, direction NW)
Three miles of golden sands backed by impressive sand dunes have made Hayle a perfect summer place for families to enjoy a holiday. It is an old town, made prosperous in the 18th-century when John Harvey opened his tin, copper and foundry business
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Kynance Cove, in the county of Cornwall (8.6 miles, 13.9 km, direction S)
The scenery surrounding Kynance Cove is as dramatic as it is beautiful.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Camborne, in the county of Cornwall (8.7 miles, 14.1 km, direction N)
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Lelant, in the county of Cornwall (8.8 miles, 14.2 km, direction NW)
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
Cadgwith, a Picturesque Village in the county of Cornwall (9.0 miles, 14.5 km, direction SE)
Cadgwith, is in a truly beautiful area, it lies next to Ruan Minor and close to the overwhelming magnificence of Lizard Point.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Mawnan Smith, in the county of Cornwall (9.4 miles, 15.1 km, direction E)
The village is about two miles from the Helford estuary, this offers scope for sailing, watching the wildlife of the area, and lovely riverside and country walks.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Lizard, in the county of Cornwall (9.7 miles, 15.6 km, direction SE)
For an abiding memory of sheer grandeur the spectacular scenery surrounding the village of Lizard set in the heart of the Lizard...
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Gwithian, in the county of Cornwall (9.9 miles, 15.9 km, direction N)
Gwithian has a beautiful white sandy beach with frothy Atlantic rollers which act as a magnet for surfers, for this is one of...
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Pool, in the county of Cornwall (10.0 miles, 16.1 km, direction N)
Pool is situated between Cambourne and Redruth in an area that was once the centre of Cornwall's prosperous tin mining industry.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Carbis Bay, in the county of Cornwall (10.0 miles, 16.1 km, direction NW)
Carbis, is a deeply curving, sheltered bay of soft golden sand that makes it a haven for sea-bathing.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
All towns in CornwallComplete A to Z of towns in EnglandNearby travel help
| St. Erth Station | (8.0 miles, 12.9 km, direction NW) |
| Hayle Station | (8.2 miles, 13.2 km, direction NW) |
| Newquay (Cornwall) Airport | (28.1 miles, 45.1 km, direction NE) |
| St. Mary's Airport | (45.1 miles, 72.5 km, direction W) |
| M5 Junction 31 | (89.4 miles, 143.8 km, direction NE) |
| M5 Junction 30 | (92.5 miles, 148.8 km, direction NE) |
| Porthleven to London | (247.4 miles, 398.1 km, direction NE) |
Hotels & Accommodation in Porthleven
| Hotel Name | Approximate distance from Porthleven center |
| Polurrian Hotel | (5.2 miles, 8.4 km, direction SE) |
| Camilla House | (10.1 miles, 16.2 km, direction W) |
| Blue Seas Hotel | (10.1 miles, 16.2 km, direction W) |
| Hotel Penzance | (10.2 miles, 16.4 km, direction W) |
| Carbis Bay Hotel | (10.3 miles, 16.6 km, direction NW) |
| Tarbert Hotel | (10.3 miles, 16.6 km, direction W) |
| Best Western Penmere Manor Hotel | (10.8 miles, 17.3 km, direction E) |
| Hawthorne Dene Hotel | (11.3 miles, 18.3 km, direction E) |
| The Green Lawns Hotel | (11.4 miles, 18.3 km, direction E) |
| Park Grove Hotel | (11.4 miles, 18.3 km, direction E) |
| All hotels in Porthleven |