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Historic Towns & Picturesque Villages

The River Arun, at Arundel

Arundel

in the county of West Sussex

War Memorial in the Church

Wroxham

in the county of Norfolk

Porlock Bus service.

Porlock

a Seaside Town in the county of Somerset

Pictures of Portreath

a Seaside Town in the county of Cornwall

About Portreath

The blossoming of Portreath began when Francis Basset, a member of one of Cornwall's wealthiest families, built a pier in 1786 to serve the local tin and copper mines. This turned what was previously a small hamlet into a thriving community with a busy harbour. Ships laden with ore sailed to the Welsh coast returning with coal to fuel the engine-houses of the mines whose pumps fought a constant battle against flooding. Historically, coasters visited the harbour from this time until the trade ceased in the 1960's. At this point the village reverted once again, it now makes a delightful tourist destination for holidaymakers.

Portreath lies on Cornwall's magnificent North-western coast, it occupies a picture-postcard valley setting of woods, streams and fine rural meadow-land, with its crowning glory being the beach lying beneath rugged cliffs topped with springy turf and heathers.

The hill rising above the cliffs shows an interesting mix of old stone properties lining the zig-zag paths. Some of these belonged to former mine workers and some to fisher-folk. There are a few newer buildings, but as nearly all are attractively colour-washed there is a strong sense of unity, despite differing architectural styles.

The resort offers visitors a multiple of choice of things to do; there are lovely coastal walks taking in the breathtaking panorama of the bay, a sandy beach for sunbathing, and for the more energetic there is good surfing and other sea-sports including wind-surfing and fishing.

For visitors wishing to discover the rich industrial heritage of the region there are plenty of old mine relics to be discovered in the area as well as mining museums in restored mines.

Portreath has a lovely pastoral hinterland where you can wander at will amongst woods or down leafy lanes to find an abundance of rare plants, fragile wild flowers, and a healthy range of wildlife habitats.

The resort offers excellent shops, inns, restaurants, cafe's, guest houses and hotel's, friendly bed and breakfast establishments, caravan and camping facilities, and picturesque holiday cottages. All in all, in this gorgeous little coastal resort you can enjoy a romantic weekend sailing, surfing or just lazing, but why not choose to visit for a family holiday so that you can enjoy to the full all this lovely place has to offer.

Recommended towns & villages near Portreath

Hayle Beach, Cornwall

Hayle (32 Pictures) in the county of Cornwall

(7.8 miles, 12.5 km, direction SW of Portreath)

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..

St Ives from the air

St Ives (261 Pictures) a Seaside Town in the county of Cornwall

(9.2 miles, 14.8 km, direction W of Portreath)

There is a magical quality surrounding the whole of the Cornish coast of which St.Ives is a small but special part...

Truro backstreet

Truro (41 Pictures) a Historic Market Town in the county of Cornwall

(10.5 miles, 16.9 km, direction E of Portreath)

Truro, today is Cornwall's unofficial capital and adminstrative centre but in the Middle Ages Truro was one of the towns which controlled Cornwall's flourishing tin mining industry...

Porthleven, Cornwall, UK

Porthleven (55 Pictures) a Picturesque Village in the county of Cornwall

(12.1 miles, 19.5 km, direction S of Portreath)

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...

Marazion from St Michaels Mount, Cornwall

Marazion (109 Pictures) a Seaside Town in the county of Cornwall

(12.3 miles, 19.8 km, direction SW of Portreath)

The picturesque village of Marazion with its quaint cottages, shops and pubs, is in a sublime position on the west Cornwall peninsula..

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Nearby attractions..

Cornish Beam Engine, Pool, Cornwall - National Trust

Cornish Mines and Engines (4 Pictures)

(2.4 miles, 3.8 km, direction SE)

This museum set on lonely cliffs far above the swirling Atlantic Ocean is where visitors to the area can learn all about.....

Carn Brae, Redruth, Cornwall, on a beautiful clear day

Carn Brae Castle (6 Pictures)

(3.3 miles, 5.3 km, direction SE)

..

Godrevy Lighthouse

Godrevy (47 Pictures)

(5.3 miles, 8.4 km, direction W)

This hauntingly beautiful spot was initially made famous by centuries of shipwreck caused by perilous rocks scattered around its.....

Callestock Cider Farm, Penhallow, Cornwall. 1996.

Callestock Cider Farm (5 Pictures)

(7.9 miles, 12.7 km, direction NE)

..

Truro, Cornwall. Truro Cathedral from the river

Truro Cathedral (23 Pictures)

(11.0 miles, 17.6 km, direction E)

A former 16th-century parish church once stood on the site of this sumptuous cathedral, which was designed by John Loughborough.....

True love never runs smooth.

The National Seal Sanctuary (13 Pictures)

(12.0 miles, 19.4 km, direction S)

The Seal Sanctuary was set up in 1958 in the small village of St Agnes, in 1974 we moved to Gweek after we needed more space for.....

St Michaels Mount from the gardens in Marazion

St Michaels Mount (138 Pictures)

(12.8 miles, 20.7 km, direction SW)

The priory on St.Michael's mount is dedicated to the Archangel who is believed to have appeared to local fishermen in AD 495. The.....


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