Porthleven Harbour

The Lizard

Porthleven's sturdy, double-walled harbour is crowned by two cannons recovered from the wreck of HMS Anson, which foundered on Loe Bar in 1807. This traumatic event inspired local cabinet-maker Henry Trengrouse to devote his life to inventing better life-saving tools, including the winch-powered 'Bosun's Chair' and a rocket-propelled rescue line.

More recently, the town's harbour hit the headlines in 2011, when massive storms ripped away the harbour gates, swamped the quay and very nearly washed away the town's church.

It's well worth Googling pictures of huge waves breaking against the spire.

Suggest an edit to this attraction

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

St Michael's Mount
7.5 MILES
Looming up in the middle of Mount's Bay and connected to the mainland at Marazion via a cobbled causeway, this abbey-crowned island is an unforgettable…
Tate St Ives
11.61 MILES
After an 18-month, multimillion-pound refit, St Ives' most illustrious gallery reopened its doors, complete with a monumental exhibition space that's been…
Kynance Cove
8.8 MILES
A mile north of Lizard Point, this National Trust–owned inlet is an absolute showstopper, studded with craggy offshore islands rising out of searingly…
Godolphin
4.12 MILES
This wonderful medieval house and garden was the family seat of the Godolphin family who, during the 17th and 18th centuries, were one of Cornwall's great…
Lost Gardens of Heligan
26.41 MILES
This is Cornwall's real-life secret garden. Formerly the family estate of the Tremaynes, Heligan's magnificent 19th-century gardens fell into disrepair…
Trelissick
15.63 MILES
Grandly located at the head of the Fal estuary, 4 miles south of Truro, Trelissick is one of Cornwall's most beautiful aristocratic estates, with a formal…
Chapel Porth
15.35 MILES
Two miles from St Agnes is one of Cornwall's most beautiful coves, Chapel Porth, a wild, rocky beach framed by steep, gorse-covered cliffs, owned by the…
Gwithian & Godrevy Towans
10.41 MILES
These wonderful side-by-side beaches join up at low tide to form one epic stretch of golden, flat sand. At the eastern end is the small, National Trust…

View more attractions

Nearby The Lizard attractions

1. The Loe

1.41 MILES

A mile south of Helston is Loe Pool, Cornwall’s largest freshwater lake, said by some to be the resting place of King Arthur’s magical blade, Excalibur…

2. Helston Folk Museum

2.21 MILES

There's plenty of background on the Furry Dance at the town's quirky museum, where the displays include replica shopfronts, a 5-tonne cider press and a…

3. Rinsey Beach

2.29 MILES

This rocky cove is a little off the beaten track, which means it's often fairly quiet, even in the heat of summer. Various mine-workings line the cliffs,…

4. Flambards

2.75 MILES

Just outside town is Flambards, Cornwall's oldest theme park. Attractions include the wartime-themed Britain in the Blitz, an aviation gallery and a…

5. Dollar Cove

3.82 MILES

This small cove, known in Cornish as Jangye-ryn (the name used on Ordnance Survey maps), is associated with some intriguing local legends. In 1785 the…

6. Church Cove

3.9 MILES

This golden sandy cove would be worth a visit in its own right, but doubly so thanks to its peculiar landmark – the tiny 15th-century Church of St…

7. Godolphin

4.12 MILES

This wonderful medieval house and garden was the family seat of the Godolphin family who, during the 17th and 18th centuries, were one of Cornwall's great…

8. Poldhu Cove

4.28 MILES

A west-facing beach bordered by gently sloping fields, this is a family-friendly stretch of sand that's easily reached from Mullion, which means you won't…

View more attractions