Four bedrooms: 1 x king-size with TV and en-suite bath, shower over, basin, and WC, 1 x small double, 1 x twin with TV, 1 x single (children’s pirate room). Shower room with walk-in shower, basin, heated towel rail, and WC, Downstairs toilet. Kitchen. Utility. Dining room. Sitting room with woodburning stove
Porthleven is one of south west Cornwall’s hidden, coastal gems, located near Helston, famous for it’s annual Flora Dance Festival. Situated between Lizard Point and Land’s End, Porthleven retains the feel of a traditional Cornish fishing village, enjoying uninterrupted views of the Atlantic Ocean and the beautiful Cornish coastline. The iconic clock tower sits on the harbour entrance and the pubs, shops, cafés and restaurants cluster around the historic picturesque inner harbour, where there is plenty of boating and marine activity. With a warren of streets lined with classic Cornish, granite cottages, an extensive beach manned with lifeguards, the chance for alfresco dining in one of a number of well reviewed restaurants, and crabbing off the harbour, there are plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy, all year round. Porthleven is building a reputation for eating out with a popular food festival established in the spring. Out of season, Porthleven has one of the best surf breaks in the country where you can sit down and get lost for hours watching the energetic surfers riding the waves. There are some fabulous hidden coves along this stretch of coastline, including Praa Sands, Poldhu Cove, and Rinsey, a magical setting for the more energetic. You may have even seen pictures of Porthleven on television, being one of the best spots in the UK for storm watching, with the crashing winter waves often being used as the backdrop to weather forecasts. Walkers will enjoy the South West Coast Path, adventuring west past Rinsey Head with spectacular views, or south across Loe Bar to Penrose Estate with it’s National Trust cafe, and on to Gunwalloe Church Cove. Take a trip to the Isles of Scilly by boat or plane and marvel at the display of sub-tropical gardens at the stunning Tresco Abbey. The Eden Project near St. Austell offers an interesting day out. Porthleven is the ideal base for discovering the delights of west Cornwall and the Lizard Peninsula.
With its sweeping beaches, rugged moorlands, hidden woodlands, and rolling countryside estates, Cornwall is a superb destination if you want to spend some time bird watching on holiday.
One of the best spots is Hayle Estuary Nature Reserve, managed by the RSPB. This rich wetland habitat attracts a variety of birdlife, including teals, wigeons, and goosanders. While winter offers the highest numbers, spring and early summer also bring migrant waders such as oystercatchers, dunlins, and whimbrels to the tidal pools and marshes.
Marazion Marsh, also managed by the RSPB and overlooking the iconic St Michael’s Mount near Penzance, boasts Cornwall’s largest reedbed. It’s a haven for species like chiffchaffs, Cetti’s warblers, little egrets, and grey herons. Bitterns are regularly recorded here, and birds of prey, including sparrowhawks and buzzards, are often spotted too.
For a variety of songbirds and raptors, head to the Rame Peninsula near Cawsand. This beautiful area of tidal creeks, sandy beaches, and peaceful farmland attracts goldcrests, firecrests, warblers, and buntings. You may also glimpse birds of prey such as hobbies, merlins, peregrine falcons, and, if you’re lucky, the rare hen harrier.
At Stithians Lake, a large reservoir, breeding birds like little grebes, coots, and moorhens are common. Waders such as greenshanks, ruffs, and curlew sandpipers can also be seen foraging along the muddy banks.
Not far from St Ives, St Ives Island, actually a headland between Porthmeor and Porthgwidden beaches, is a top spot for seabird watching, especially in autumn. Huge flocks of skuas, terns, gannets, fulmars, and auks pass by, alongside waders like purple sandpipers, whimbrels, and turnstones.
Finally, no trip to Cornwall would be complete without exploring Bodmin Moor. This dramatic granite moorland, scattered with ancient ruins and rich in wildlife, is especially rewarding in spring and summer, when skylarks, stonechats, wheatears, and sedge warblers arrive to breed. In autumn and winter, the moor plays host to thousands of golden plovers, along with snipes and the more elusive jack snipe.
