Porthtowan guide

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Porthtowan derives its Cornish name from its most obvious feature - its sandy beaches and dunes (towans). It owes its present day character to its popularity as a local seaside resort in Victorian and Edwardian times when the local populous from Redruth and the surrounding areas flocked here, particularly on Bank Holidays. Today's conveniently placed shops and tourist amenities have their roots in this period when a handful of bathing machines served the adventurous swimmers of the day, most people then being content merely to take tea after a walk on the cliffs. The cliff walks are still splendid, but there is now much more to Porthtowan than just tea rooms! One local folk tale tells of a voice from the sea; "The hour is come but not the man." A ghostly figure spotted at the top of a nearby hill, in response to the call, rushed down and vanished beneath the waves. Overlooking Porthtowan are the remains of Wheal Towan, one of Cornwall's most celebrated 18th century copper mines and scene of a fortune amassed by Ralph Allen Daniell of Trelissick, "guinea a minute" Daniell - his reputed income night and day. In 1897 the wreck of the Rose of Devon left a lasting scar on the locality, bodies of dead sailors being buried in the cemetery at nearby Mount Hawke where a Cornish cross now marks the sad event. Mount Hawke is the country cousin to Porthtowan one and a half miles inland. Founded on mining and agriculture, and once a local centre for rope making, the village has become popular in the last 20 years. Several lovely wooded walks are possible from here as well as access to some of Cornwalls most exclusive areas of natural beauty.


Latest Tweets featuring Porthtowan

  • Emmerlouiseshaw

    @hightopsneakers where!? I ada pasty so not mega hungry BUT i wanna go porthtowan and get icepoles!

    Yesterday, 16:57

  • CampingNo1

    Beautiful site in a secluded valley 2 miles from the lovely sandy beach of Porthtowan and 6 miles from Truro. http://t.co/03vRrGgx

    Yesterday, 16:31

  • Etheringtons

    @BigGreenEggUK if your heading towards Porthtowan we have some excellent rib eyes & cornish chicken to throw on!!www.etherington-meats.co.uk

    Yesterday, 12:03

  • YPCmakingwaves

    Look out for our mobile youth work van tonight in St Agnes & Porthtowan, give us a beep/ wave if you see us :)

    May 30th, 16:50

  • J_Munney

    @annaruane94 @vicky_clowser #porthtowan http://t.co/XEBMug7Z

    May 30th, 15:15

  • littlemissecole

    Porthtowan is buzzing #wedding

    May 30th, 13:44

  • ChloeeAndrew

    Stranded in porthtowan any help would be appreciated

    May 29th, 23:24

  • lochsidephotos

    RT @B_Roscorla: http://t.co/QYhxRlzv #Surfers at #Porthtowan #Cornwall iPhone Case by #Cornish #Seascapes - $35.00

    May 29th, 20:52

  • mr_djb

    nice, but very small, session at Porthtowan s'arvo. What a beautiful day!

    May 29th, 19:55

  • B_Roscorla

    http://t.co/QYhxRlzv #Surfers at #Porthtowan #Cornwall iPhone Case by #Cornish #Seascapes - $35.00

    May 29th, 18:17

  • ScrivenerApp

    @katetowsey There are some lovely beaches around here. Porthtowan being a personal favourite. Good surf and the Blue Bar! :-) Cheers, DJ.

    May 29th, 12:48

  • iamfi0na

    @_sweetc0rn HATRED. yes, lets just grab a camper and black keys and be off! solution: around truro, porthtowan is our special beach :3 xxx

    May 29th, 11:56

  • PropertyCornish

    RT @IanLPhotography: Seaweed Shadows - Sunset at Porthtowan in Cornwall #flickr #photography #cornwall http://t.co/DP4kVSBm

    May 28th, 22:09

  • PeterRichards14

    RT @IanLPhotography: Seaweed Shadows - Sunset at Porthtowan in Cornwall #flickr #photography #cornwall http://t.co/DP4kVSBm

    May 28th, 21:56

  • Piggybackmenow

    RT @IanLPhotography: Seaweed Shadows - Sunset at Porthtowan in Cornwall #flickr #photography #cornwall http://t.co/DP4kVSBm

    May 28th, 21:11

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