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

  • ChloeeAndrew

    Stranded in porthtowan any help would be appreciated

    Yesterday, 23:24

  • lochsidephotos

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

    Yesterday, 20:52

  • mr_djb

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

    Yesterday, 19:55

  • B_Roscorla

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

    Yesterday, 18:17

  • ScrivenerApp

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

    Yesterday, 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

    Yesterday, 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

  • IanLPhotography

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

    May 28th, 21:08

  • AmberTrenberth

    @ChloeeAndrew @LeilaDaSilva95 @jason_mraz you donkey,tomoz night rain or shine we will set up base on porthtowan beach #shallwecamp? #yolo

    May 28th, 17:09

  • RobHosking1

    That was 1 of the stranger callouts. Rescued a squirrel from the top of a telegraph pole in Porthtowan, using ladders and rope rescue kit

    May 28th, 16:09

  • pastortomswife

    RT @UDestinations: Then we drove around Cornwall to Portreath, Porthtowan, Hale, Redruth and others and then a romantic walk along the beach #UKvacation

    May 28th, 04:20

  • RobHosking1

    Road Traffic Collision, between North Country and Porthtowan. 1 person injured. Take care out on the roads #DriveToArrive

    May 28th, 03:52

  • whitno

    Porthtowan http://t.co/6gMzJxPL

    May 28th, 00:38

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