Porthleven

Packed with charm, tradition and heritage, the west Cornwall town of Porthleven is best known for its magnificent harbour, unspoilt scenery and delicious seafood. Conveniently located for exploring the Lizard Peninsula and far-west Cornwall, Porthleven features a large golden beach and is a popular surfing hotspot for locals and visitors.

Set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this picturesque fishing town is home to many cafes, restaurants and pubs, serving up locally sourced fish dishes as well as other long-standing menu favourites. Visitors can also sample Porthleven Pale Ale, named after this surfing town by local Cornish brewery, Skinner’s Brewery.

Porthleven Food and Music Festival takes place in April each year and brings together more than 150 local food and drink exhibitors as well as hosting a literature and acoustic tent, staging performances from local Cornish artists and performers from further afield, too.

The town of Porthleven is also home to a number of art galleries and studios, including the Art Academy Lifeboat Art Studios, which offers an extensive training programme in which budding artists can try their hand at painting, drawing or sculpture making, taking inspiration from the area’s artistic heritage.

For a spot of gentle walking and relaxation, Penrose Estate is well worth a visit. Featuring Cornwall’s largest natural lake and surrounded by tranquil countryside, this National Trust property boasts woodland tracks, open parkland and stretches of coastline, providing a stunning backdrop to a family day out.