PORTREATH
A spectacular
beauty spot

Each year millions of people from all over the world visit Cornwall. The county has the longest coastline in the United Kingdom and possesses a wealth of natural beauty whether on the seashore or inland.

We believe that our village of Portreath and its immediate surrounds, situated on the north-west coast, is one of the most spectacular beauty spots in the county. Portreath nestles in a valley between high cliffs and has a secluded sandy beach which is ideal for the family and for the more energetic water sports enthusiasts. The village has a friendly atmosphere and caters for most needs of visitors whether holidaying in the area or touring whilst based in the village.

For the holiday-maker who prefers to keep to the local area, there are many facilities to enjoy including the beautiful beach for swimming, surfing and wind-surfing, fishing the National Trust coastal footpath with unsurpassed, breath-taking scenery and inland wooded and parkland walks where wild flowers and many species of birds abound.

Although Portreath is un-commercialised, the local amenities provide for all holiday and touring needs. There are large car parks, cafes and licensed restaurants, a good range of shops, three public houses, a garage, hotels and guest houses, a wide selection of self-catering facilities, and camping and caravan sites with good services.

Portreath, Our Roots
As with many such communities Portreath grew from humble beginnings thanks in the main to the commercial activities of one family, in our case this was the Basset family.

This noble family, signatories to Magna Carte, came to Britain in the time of William the Conqueror and settled in Kent. Eventually part of the family settled at Tehidy near Portreath where in 1617 records show that land was leased from them. It was from this period the Basset's family influence on the area came to bear, recognising the value and potential that a working harbour would bring to the mines and industry in the area from as early as the 1700s they set about building the harbour most of which can still be seen today.

Their continued investment was substantial over the next 100 years or so and brought prosperity to this little village. Portreath was the main harbour for exporting minerals and ore to South Wales and importing coal also from Wales to fuel the great steam engines used so substantially in the tin mines inland. Other industries at that time included fishing, shipbuilding, rope making, tin streaming. The port that the Bassets had the foresight to build is still active, nowadays used mainly by small boat owners and an intrepid group of inshore fishermen.