Porthtowan
A frequent winner of the Blue Flag award Porthtowan beach has all the qualities and amenities one would expect. Porthtowan has a seasonal lifeguard service making it a great all-round family beach.
Eateries
Blue Bar, a beach bar with an unparalleled location, is situated on the edge of the beach and provides great food and drink. Another pub and restaurant in the village is The Unicorn on the Beach. At Towan Cross is the Victory Inn, a 5–10-minute walk away, it is a genuine 17th century Cornish cliff top pub with a great menu and lively atmosphere. Originally opened to slake the thirst of miners from the nearby copper and tin mines. In bygone days, pedestrian funeral corteges would stop outside, rest the coffin on the nearby horizontal cross, the Towan Cross, and take refreshment within. The Beach Café provides a great breakfast and light lunch menu.
Coastal paths
The South West Coast footpath is on your doorstep, with an abundance of flora and fauna. If you’re walking the Cornish cliff paths look out for shearwaters, skuas, gannets and kittiwakes, seals and dolphins can be seen in the waters below the rugged cliffs. A bird you may want to look out for around Porthtowan is the Cornish chough. This smart, red-legged corvid is Cornwall’s county bird. Choughs had died out in Cornwall, until some enterprising Irish choughs settled here just a few years ago! They’re doing well now; and as they nest in cliffs and disused buildings (such as old tin mines), you may be lucky and glimpse one.
A beautiful walk is from Porthtowan to Chapel Porth following the route of the South West Coast Path. At low tide you can walk along the beach from Porthtowan to Chapel Porth.
Relaxing in the garden
Number One Penventon is situated on the West side of the bay, which is less busy than the east side. For a quiet day. You can relax in the garden and view the beach and activities across the sand dunes and green.