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Porthleven

In Brief

Name: PORTHLEVEN
Classification: Town
Twinned with: Guisseny in Brittany, France
Population: 3,059 in 2011
Notable former residents: Victorian theologian Pender Hodge Cudlip and Commanding Officer of the Dambusters, Guy Gibson
Films shot in town: ‘A Distant Scream’ (1986) and scenes from the famous ‘Poldark’ TV series
Interesting factoid: Storms have been fierce and regular over the years in the seas that lap Porthleven. In fact, the RNLI stationed a lifeboat at the town as far back as 1863

SEASIDE PORTH OF CALL: PORTHLEVEN 

The most southerly port in Great Britain has a charm all of its own. Porthleven, just down the road from the town of Helston, is picture-perfect, especially when viewed from its iconic granite harbour or fine beach. The town has enjoyed its fair share of shipwreck stories over the years due to its location on the coast but these days it’s a great holiday destination that keeps its old-world fishing port charm while also offering some ace arty shops and hearty eateries. Walkers flock to the town due to the sheer amount of coastal hikes on offer around its edges and experienced surfers flock to the town for the decent waves out there when there isn’t a vicious storm on the horizon. You should flock there too and eat, shop, hike, sunbathe and wander like you’ve never done before.