Portscatho Holiday Guide & Visitor Info

Portscatho Holiday Guide

Portscatho Holiday Guide

Date Posted: 17 Sep 2024

PORTSCATHO WEATHER

Why you should visit Portscatho?

Out-of-the-way Portscatho is a village with a view.  The ancient village is situated in a cove on the stunning Roseland Peninsula, a beautiful area of south-east Cornwall, between the River Fal and the sea, whose name means “rowing boat harbour”.  It is no longer much of a fishing village though there are a few local boats and an old stone jetty but for visitors, it offers incredible views, with hidden coves and beaches nearby.

This pretty village is fronted by a small beach with the larger Porthcurnick beach just around the bay, and is a superb starting place for exploring the Roseland Peninsula, a relatively quiet corner of Cornwall, filled with creeks, villages and meandering country lanes.  It is a place where the stresses and strains of everyday life slip away, perhaps something to do with the calming tones of the water, and the mild climate.  The cove provides some shelter from the elements, too, for fine swimming and a soft sandy family-friendly beach.

There is a memorial dedicated to servicemen who lost their lives in Burma during World War II, and the area attracts many artists.  There is also an old seaman’s chapel where the pious founder, William Billing, fisherman, is buried beneath his own pulpit.  Five minutes up the hill lies its twin village of Gerrans with its parish church, pub, shops and breathtaking views across the bay.

Best walks in Portscatho

Why not spend a day doing a circular walk starting from Portscatho, heading west on the coastpath to St. Anthony’s Head, then on through the grounds of the beautiful Place House (formerly home of the Spry family) and the church before cutting inland to Froe, Bohortha or Porth and heading back to Portscatho?  It is all quite well signposted to make it easier.  Further afield, you can visit Flambards for a great family day out, or the seal sanctuary at Gweek or the villages of the Lizard Peninsula. Make it even more exciting and shorter) by catching the ferry from St Mawes to Falmouth to cut out roads via Truro.

Best places to eat in Portscatho

The local pub is the 18th century dog-friendly The Plume of Feathers in the heart of the village, yet still a stone’s throw from the beach, which serves great food and a large selection of drinks. The Driftwood is a fine dining restaurant just a short jaunt away, overlooking the turquoise waters of Gerrans Bay, or maybe try the rather different Hidden Hut, set on the coast path on the cliffs above Porthcurnick Beach, for fresh, seasonal cooked food in the sea air. It is a little tricky to get to so you need good mobility (there is no parking on site and the ground is fairly rugged). Dawn French described it as “yum yum in my tum” while no less than Rick Stein has described it as “an unforgettable eating experience”. It certainly is one of the hottest snack stands around. Meanwhile up in Gerrans, you have another very decent pub, The Standard Inn.

Why you should visit Portscatho:
  • Somewhere unique to Cornwall
  • Set in the stunning Roseland Peninsula
  • Beaches of golden sand
  • Varied eating choices
  • Beautiful walking country
  • Pastoral and peaceful for a tranquil stay
  • Close to many places to visit

Categories: Things to do