Travel and Vacations

Travel Destination: Historic Fishing Village of Porthleven Cornwall

Story Published on October 2, 2008 ⋅  Email this Story ⋅  Print this Story ⋅ Post a comment ⋅

The historic village of Porthleven, Cornwall is the most southerly working harbour in mainland UK. The harbour exists today due to HMS Anson being wrecked on Loe Bar on December 29th 1807. Tobias Roberts, a hero that day, swam through stormy seas out to the Anson. A rope was tied around Tobias enabling him to create an escape route for those on board. Although he successfully reached the ship, over one hundred crew perished including the ship’s Captain Lydiard.

Appalled by the loss of live and to avoid such an incident in the future, along with locals alike, Tobias Roberts battled with the Admiralty to ensure there was a harbor of safe refuge. Being a determined man, Tobias got Porthleven harbor constructed and then improved at a later date. Home to a much reduced number of fishermen, no commercial traffic of any size and a small number of pleasure craft, it took two acts of parliament before the harbor became what it is today.

Today, the harbor still plays a major role attracting visitors from all over the world. During the early 1990′s whilst serving on the local council, it became obvious that Porthleven’s economic future would become more and more reliant on attracting visitors. With this in mind the village’s first commercial website was introduced which is attracting visitors from around the globe.

Whilst serving on the local council in the early 1990′s it became clear that the economic future of Porthleven would become more dependent on holiday trade. Following this idea, Porthleven’s first commercial website was established which continues to attract visitors from around the world. The annual Discover Porthleven leaflet was produced to help publicize the village in addition to tourists signs being introduced.

Porthleven has a number of quality self catering cottages, B&B and hotels situated around the harbor, above the beach and within the village. Many accommodate commanding views of the bay, the harbor or surrounding countryside. The village also has a small drop in caravan and camp site. Porthleven has three Inns, the oldest being the Ship Inn. In these you will discover good food, good ale and friendly locals. According to local legend and the BBC the Ship has a few resident ghosts.

Porthleven has a number of quality self catering cottages, B&B and hotels placed around the harbor, above the beach and within the village many of which command views of the bay, the harbor or surrounding countryside. There are three Inns, the oldest being the Ship Inn. According to a local legend and the BBC resident ghosts have been experienced.

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