Famously known for the Minack Theatre, Porthcurno is home to this entirely unique open-air theatre that’s perched up on the cliffs. With only the breathtaking and ever-changing view of the Atlantic Ocean as its backdrop, this is a truly special spot. Oh, and we haven't forgotten its home to one of the UK's most photographed beaches with its powder soft sand and stunning turquoise sea.

The name Porthcurno has evolved from the 16^th century Cornish spelling ‘Porth Cornowe’ and means ‘cove / landing place of pinnacles or horns’. This is a reference to the granite rock formations in Porthcurno and some evidence of the early commercial port activity still exist in the remains of man-made stone tracks for horse-drawn vehicles providing access to the beach to collect seaweed for land fertilisation. Porthcurno beach and bay enclosed by the Logan Rock headland have been listed among the ten most beautiful bays in the world.

PORTHCURNO - Porthcurno is one of Cornwall’s jewels, with soft white sand and a turquoise blue sea. The cliffs and coastlines are officially designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and widely considered to be some of the most visually stunning areas in the United Kingdom. These high cliffs protect the beach from the winds that whip the west and on a sunny day you’ll think you’ve landed in paradise.

PEDN VOUNDER - Next door to Porthcurno is the simply stunning Pedn Vounder, ‘Pedn’ meaning headland or end and ‘Vounder’ meaning lane, translating to ‘end of lane’. Pedn Vounder is often named as one of the world’s best beaches and has crystal clear water, clean, coarse sand, a dramatic cliff backdrop, and the Logan Rock headland off to the east. The only trick is that getting to Pedn Vounder isn’t easy and it’s not for anyone with mobility problems, children, or less than agile dogs. At low tide you can walk across from Porthcurno but be careful as the tide is only low enough for a couple of hours and the climbing alternative is challenging. Clothing is also optional.

SWIMMING - Porthcurno beach is good for experienced swimmers. There is steep shelving and the waves can be extremely powerful so care should be taken.

WALKING - Many walkers enjoy the cliffs by using the public footpaths and the protected South West Coastal Footpath passes through the area within just a few yards of the clifftops, the views are unbelievable and the coastal areas around Porthcurno are now owned, preserved and maintained by the National Trust. If you’re out walking then you may come across some conservation grazing ponies. The ponies have been rescued for various reasons including malnutrition and neglect so it’s fantastic they get a new lease of life on the cliffs and grazing is often the most natural and effective way to maintain habitats such as grassland and heathland. The ponies come off at the end of February so that the wildflowers aren’t affected in the spring. Please keep in mind that they are wild animals and do not approach or feed them and keep dogs under control.

There’s also a great walk that goes from Porthcurno to Penberth Cove. Tiny Penberth is a cove forgotten by the 21^st century and although you can drive close to the cove, we love to approach it by walking from either Lamorna or Porthcurno. The little fishing slip still serves a few boats and it’s interested to look at the old gear, gently rusting away, and contemplate times gone by. The route follows the Coast Path to the WW2 bunker overlooking Porthcurno and then follows clifftop paths overlooking Pedn Vounder beach to re-join the Coast Path towards Penberth Cove. The route then follows a footpath up the valley from the cove to Treen and returns across the fields to Porthcurno. You may even see the wild grazing ponies.

THE MINACK THEATRE - Just out of sight from Porthcurno beach is the Minack Theatre, a unique open-air theatre with a backdrop of Porthcurno Bay and the Logan Rock headland. It is the best place to see the splendour of this world wide favourite and can be accessed by foot from the coastal footpath in the cliff face or more easily by road taking the steep narrow hill towards St Levan church and turning left at the top. The Minack stages a full programme of live performances from the traditional Shakespeare to the more contemporary and you’re welcome to explore the dramatic cliff top site and enjoy the glorious sub-tropical gardens even when performances aren’t on. It was built by the late Rowena Cade who worked there into her eighties with the support of local labourers and her faithful gardener. The Rowena Cade exhibition centre, coffee shop and theatre are open to visitors for most of the year when performances aren’t on.

PORTHCURNO TELEGRAPH MUSEUM - Just before you get to the main car park there is the fascinating Porthcurno Telegraph Museum on the left. It tells the story of Cornwall’s role in the pioneering days of global communications, cables from here were buried beneath the beach in 1870 and then laid on the seabed all over the world. This made Porthcurno one of the most connected places on the planet and it’s still a hub of global communications to this day. You can explore interactive exhibitions, underground World War Two tunnels and experience live demonstrations from a working telegraph station. There’s even a café to enjoy a spot of lunch or afternoon coffee.

SHOPPING

PORTHCURNO BEACH CAFE has beach goods available in season and souvenirs are available at the Minack theatre and Museum shop.

THE APPLE TREE CAFE near Sennen sells locally baked bread and local vegetables, flowers, strawberries and bread are sold at many local stalls.

EATING

THE PORTHCURNO BEACH CAFE is a family run beach cafe offering a selection of drinks, lunch and afternoon tea. Dogs are welcome too!

THE LOGAN ROCK INN is a 16th century traditional village pub serving a variety of food and drinks. It stands a short walk away from the nearby village of Treen and overlooks Pendvounder Beach and Porthcurno Beach.

THE APPLE TREE CAFE is a family run cafe / restaurant 1 mile from Lands End. They offer freshly made to order breakfasts, lunches and light bites, along with a selection of sweet treats and sweet or savoury cream teas.

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