The Area & Local Activities
Porthpean House faces out to sea on the sheltered, south coast of Cornwall. Located between the maritime villages of Charlestown and Pentewan and hidden below the china clay town of St Austell. Porthpean Beach is a perfect place for a bucket and spade holiday with rock pools, calm waters and warm shallows for swimming.
Spectacular and unspoilt scenery all around makes for a perfect walking holiday and the Porthpean Golf club above the house is a five minute walk away. Enjoy kayaking, canoeing, rock climbing, snorkelling or wild swimming in the South Cornwall sea.
The calm waters of the bay can be seen from all the bedrooms at the front of the Porthpean House, so just chilling and looking out to sea is a rejuvenating way to spend your time or you can book up one of our therapists for a series of spa treatments from aromatherapy massage to Indian Head massage and Shiatsu.
Twenty minutes away are The Eden Project, which has to be included on a trip to Cornwall, or The Lost Gardens of Heligan, the nation's favourite garden. Twenty minutes around the bay is the exquisite ancient port of Fowey where you can book a boat to go on fishing or river trips or secluded beaches only accessible by sea.
Local Activities
Beach: Porthpean Beach is sandy with rock pools at low tide – perfect for shrimping and crabbing. There is a small café on the beach serving hot snacks and ice creams during the summer season.
Sailing: Sailing lessons are available at Fowey Gallants Sailing Club (20 minutes away in Fowey) T: 01726 832335 and if you can already sail you can take out temporary membership at the local sailing club, Porthpean Sailing Club, which is right next door to the house. (T: 01726 66266. Email: www.porthpeansc.co.uk ). They can lend you boats and there are regular races.
Water sports: Stand up Paddle boards, kayaks, wetsuits and boats. Porthpean Outdoor offer water and land based activities www.porthpean.com Tel 01726 72901 10% discount for guests (code available in house notes on arrival) or try Cornwall Watersports at Pentewan (10mins from the house) T: 01726 842939 www.cornwallwatersports.co.uk
Golf: Golf is available at Porthpean Golf Club T: 01726 64613 or email: porthpeangolfclub@hotmail.co.uk .
Walking: The South West Coast Path passes through Porthpean and offers some spectacular (and challenging!) walking in the area. (2023 - Duporth to Charlestown is now open) Check out Section 32: Mevagissey to Par on the website: www.southwestcoastpath.com
Massage & Yoga: For incredibly relaxing Shiatsu massage, Indian head massage and Dynamic Chair Massage, you can book an appointment with Jill Greenacre who will come to Porthpean House. She has been practising for 30 years and is highly experienced. Jill is also an accomplished yoga teacher and private sessions can be arranged T:07974 828006.
Horse riding : Barguse Riding Centre www.barguseridingcentre.co.uk
Cycle Hire: Bikes can be hired from Pentewan Valley Cycle Hire T: 01726 844242 www.pentewanvalleycyclehire.co.uk
NEARBY ATTRACTIONS:
THE EDEN PROJECT: Approximately 8 miles away. edenproject.com T: 01726 811911
THE LOST GARDENS OF HELIGAN: Approximately 5.5 miles away. heligan.com T: 01726 845100
KIDZWORLD: St Austell. www.kidzworldcornwall.com. T: 01726 815553. Great indoor activities for children on a rainy day.
FOWEY BOAT TRIPS: The Fowey river estuary is stunning and great for outings and picnics. Boat trips depart from Town Quay in Fowey. www.foweycruise.co.uk . T: 07776 141241.
THE CHARLESTOWN SHIPWRECK & HERITAGE CENTRE: Just over a mile and a half away, the largest private collection of this type in Europe. Web: www.shipwreckcharlestown.com T: 01726 69897
THE MINACK THEATRE: famous open-air theatre at Porthcurno, TR19 6JU. T: 01736 810181. www.minack.com .
SHOPPING: FOOD AND DRINK
The nearest, major supermarkets are Tesco and Asda in St Austell. For local produce try:
FISH:
The best local fishmonger is :RICHARDS (Fruit, Veg & Fish) Harbour Road, Par, PL24 2BD T: 01726 825078 .
If you looking to have a delivery of fresh local fish during your stay, try thecornishfishmonger
If you go further west, it is worth going to Newlyn to see the fishing boats coming in with their day’s catch. You can buy from the local fishmongers and also eat the best fresh fish and chips near the harbour.
MEAT:
PEARCE BUTCHERS, in Mount Charles (2A Polkyth Road, St Austell PL25 4LW - T: 01726 73091). Talk to Adrian who makes the best Cornish pasties and supplies excellent meat. (Mention you are staying at Porthpean House).
KITTOWS OF FOWEY a family run butchers with their own farm. T: 01726 832639 or order online: www.kittowsbutchers.co.uk
FARM SHOPS:
LOBBS FARM SHOP in the grounds of Heligan, is a fantastic farm shop supplying delicious deli items, cheeses, bakery goods, meat, oils, jams, etc. T: 01726 844411 www.lobbsfarmshop.com
EATING OUT:
The nearest place to eat is in Charlestown, a 5 minute drive away. A lovely, picturesque granite port with tall ships, often used as a location in the TV series “Poldark”.
The BOATHOUSE, Charlestown. www.theboathousecharlestown.co.uk T: 01726 63322
Edie’s, 10 Beach Road, Carlyon Bay T: 01726 813888 www.edieskitchen.co.uk
SAM’S IN FOWEY – T: 01726 832273. Relaxed, popular, child friendly restaurant
SAM’S ON THE BEACH – T: 01726 812255 . Beside the beach at Polkerris. www.samscornwall.co.uk
THE RASHLEIGH INN T:01726 813991. Also on the beach at Polkerris. Child Friendly.
THE LUGGER, Portloe is well worth a visit. Classical cuisine emphasising locally-sourced produce. This is a popular hotel and spa. The lunch menu is simple but dinner is excellent and you will need to book. If you want a pretty, but winding, drive home go via Port Holland and Caerhays. Then head for Mevagissey. This is classic Cornwall. T: 01872501322
HOTEL TRESANTON, St Mawes. Chic, romantic and excellent food. Child friendly. Booking is highly advisable. A great place for a long, lazy lunch or adults only dinner, sitting on the terrace above the water. T: 01326 270055
THE SHIP INN, Pentewan – T: 01726 842855 is the perfect place for lunch after a hearty morning’s walk along the exquisite coastline
RICK STEIN’S SEAFOOD RESTAURANT, Padstow. T: 01841 532700. Booking essential.
PORTHMINSTER BEACH CAFÉ, St Ives. A simple, white bistro style restaurant looking over a stunning white sandy beach. Near Tate St Ives and the Barbara Hepworth museum. This is an hour away, but well worth a day trip except on Saturdays (change-over day therefore heavier traffic). It is also easy to reach St Ives by train. T: 01736 795352
TAKE-AWAYS: There are a couple of take-aways at nearby Carlyon Bay, around the corner from Charlestown.
Chinese: “East Meets West” – T: 01726 814111 or Indian: “Eastern Paradise” – T: 01726 813141.
There are also many fish and chip shops nearby.
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