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All you need to know
The quintessentially Cornish fishing village of Porthallow offers a taste of times gone by, and is well placed for exploring both the stunning Helford River and the Lizard Peninsula.
Off the beaten track, unspoilt and filled with character, Porthallow really is a quintessential Cornish fishing village.
On the east coast of the Lizard Peninsular, not far from the Helford River, Porthallow is steeped in history and was once a busy fishing port, famous for its pilchard fleet. Today, remains of old pilchard cellars can be seen on the edge of the beach, and the village pub is aptly named The Five Pilchards. Unsurprisingly, the dog-friendly pub serves fresh, locally caught seafood, as well as hearty pub classics. Thought to be over 300 years old, it’s filled with interesting nautical artefacts and memorabilia.
A small pebbly beach sits in front of the village and is lined with brightly coloured fishing boats, lobster pots and fluorescent orange buoys. The beach is dog-friendly throughout the year, making Porthallow perfect for pet-friendly holidays.
Holidays in Porthallow are best spent exploring the stunning Cornish coastline by foot. The South West Coast Path runs right through the village; head one way to discover the craggy cliffs of the Lizard or the tranquil waters and sleepy creeks of the Helford River in the other direction. In fact, Porthallow marks the halfway point of the coastal path between Poole in Dorset and Minehead in Somerset.
For the more adventurous, Porthallow is a great spot for diving. A mile offshore is the infamous Manacles reef, an outcrop of jagged rocks which lie just beneath the surface of the sea where many a boat has met its untimely end. As such, there are lots of shipwrecks scattered around the reef for you to dive down and explore. Diving equipment and snorkelling trips can be booked in neighbouring Porthkerris Cove. If you’d rather remain on dry land, you can take a trip to nearby St Keverne, where hundreds of victims lie in the church graveyard.
Poldark fans will love exploring the familiar scenes scattered along the Lizard Peninsular, including exposed headlands, wild-flower cliffs and the craggy coves of Nampara. Lizard Point, the most southerly tip of the UK, is just over 10 miles away from Porthallow and is well worth a visit.
Step back in time and explore Cornwall’s rugged natural beauty when you book a holiday in Porthallow.
A family run dive centre with highly experienced instructors and skippers based at Porthkerris, a beautiful secluded cove tucked away on the eastern side of the Lizard Peninsula. From here you can dive the Manacles reef and numerous shipwrecks, or if you prefer shore diving there is the Drawna Rock just off the beach, the perfect training ground for beginners.
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Roskillys is a working organic farm in a stunning location on the southern tip of Cornwall where you can explore the farm on pretty wooded trails, visit the milking parlour and café and find out how they make their amazing ice cream – and sample some of course !
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Sup2You offers simple online hire of inflatable paddle boards making it easier than ever to get out and enjoy the UK’s beaches, coastline and waterways. Paddleboarding is the perfect way to stay active, have fun with your family and explore the beautiful region where you’re staying; but with everything else you need to bring on holiday sometimes you won’t have the car space to bring your own! With SUP2You the process couldn’t be easier, simply click the link below, select the board and duration online, and your paddleboard will be couriered next day to your holiday cottage.
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Toad Hall Cottages guests can enjoy 10% off their hire when booking for 3 days or more with code Toad10
A friendly charter business based at Helford Passage offering fishing trips and sea safaris.
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(16)
Based in a kiosk on Helford Passage beach, Helford River Boats runs the passenger ferry which runs between Helford Passage and Helford village, home to a fantastic riverside pub, The Shipwrights Arms. They also offer a fleet of self-drive motor boats, rowing boats, Sit-On kayaks and paddleboards which you can hire and explore the stunning Helford River estuary at your own pace. Visit Daphne du Maurier’s Frenchman’s Creek, Port Navas Oyster Farm or the hidden coves and quiet beaches. No previous boating experience is necessary as Helford River Boats provide full instructions, as well as safety equipment and a map of the river. They can also provide a water taxi service, which must be booked in advance.
Helford River Boats, The Kiosk, Helford Passage, Nr Falmouth TR11 5LB (T: 01326 250770)
Enjoy 10% off boat hire with your Toad Hall Cottages Discount Card
Greatfriendly service
September 2023
Friendly and helpful. We had a beach mooring for the week but sadly couldn’t use the boat every day because of poor weather.
September 2023
The men who ran the Ferry were very friendly and helpful.
August 2023
Too expensive to use the ferry. Adds £36 for 4 to go for a meal at the Shipwrights or coffee at Holy Mackeral. Sorry for those two businesses
July 2023
I love the little ferry to Helford - such fun!
June 2023
Just great
July 2022
Brilliant service as always
October 2021
Booked the ferry and hired a boat and a kayak, all excellent, very friendly staff very helpful and very busy all day.
September 2021
Very helpful. Ice creams were good as well
June 2021
See Helford River Cruises - I think I left my review in the wrong place.
June 2021
Very useful and professional service for moorings and ferry crossing . Delicious ice creams too
August 2020
Thank you Ian and Sarah for your help with all aspects of boats, ice cream and sun cream and hats. I hope the rest of the season goes really well for you! Philip
July 2020
Fantastic friendly service.
September 2019
Great little service. With friendly and extremely helpful staff. Would recommend and would use again when in the area
August 2019
Always excellent. We have had boats on the river for years, always well looked after in our absence. Also use the ferry occasionally, excellent, also buy ice cream etc from the kiosk. Everything you or a child could possible want! An essential part of the HP experience. Keep up the good work, and thank you.
August 2019
very friendly and helpful when renting boats and using ferry
July 2019
(16)
Found in the small Cornish village of Porthallow, The Five Pilchards offers a great pub atmosphere and high quality homemade food available in the restaurant, conservatory and outside courtyard. All ingredients are sourced from local suppliers making it the ideal spot to sample the fabulous produce that Cornwall has to offer. The surrounding area is also a beautiful place for cliff walks with stunning views of Falmouth Bay.
The Five Pilchards Inn, Porthallow, Helston, Cornwall TR12 6PP (T: 01326 280256)
Up for sale
September 2023
nice local pub, good beer didn't try the food ourselves but pizzas looked nice
July 2023
This was a very friendly pub. We arrived mid May so it had limited opening hours but their takeaway pizza was delicious!
May 2023
Nice pub right on the beach. Not a very extensive menu and a bit limited if you are veggie and don’t eat fish. We had delicious fish and chips so on complaints from us
August 2022
Friendly and welcoming - enjoyed a tasty mid-week lunch
June 2022
Very friendly staff, good food at a reasonable price. Would advise booking at weekends
May 2022
Friendly, clean and welcoming. An honest Cornish pub, we would highly recommend.
September 2021
Good food and friendly staff
September 2021
Really enjoyed our fish and chip lunch outside in the sun!
September 2021
Good food and service
July 2021
Lovely pub right on the edge of the beach.
June 2021
Very friendly, unpretentious pub serving honest food & excellent ale & cider. Fully operating outside currently, due to extensive outdoor seating both in marquee & alongside beach. Ideally placed for weary Coastpath walkers!
April 2021
Lovely, friendly pub with fabulous food. We had two great meals here. Very good service
August 2020
We booked a table here on 4th July, the 1st day the pub had been open after lockdown. We received a friendly welcome and although it was a reduced menu there was a good choice. I enjoyed a bowl of local mussels which were delicious. We returned for another meal a different evening later in the week. The standard of food was excellent and presentation also. Would be a great place for overnight stay.
July 2020
Not presently open.
July 2019
At the moment the 5 pilchards are closed They are now operating out of the community center with a limited service but still good
July 2019
(9)
Discover this beautifully quaint café located just a minutes’ drive from Porthallow Beach. Serving a range of fabulous, homemade and locally sourced food. Sit down for breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea in the Cornish sun and take in your surroundings. Vegan/vegetarian options available and dogs are welcome.
Fat Apples Cafe, The Old Vineyard, Porthallow, TR12 6QH (T: 01326 281559)
Closed
September 2023
Our second visit here and as glorious as ever- especially on a sunny day when you can sit outside under one of the awnings. Excellent fresh food and friendly owners.
July 2023
An absolute gem, super dog-friendly and very welcoming - the food was exceptional! Do book though.
June 2022
Brilliant breakfasts in a really friendly and relaxed environment.
September 2021
Lovely cafe
April 2021
Absolutely lovely little cafe, highly recommended, but book in advance!
September 2020
Absolutely fabulous! Wonderful food, delightful staff and dog friendly. What more do you need?!
September 2020
Lovely little cafe offering delicious homemade food.
August 2019
Lovely just the same as last time we visited great food lovely people
July 2019
(3)
A family friendly pub in St Keverne serving coffee and cake from 10am daily, along with lunch and dinner 7 nights a week, and popular Sunday Roasts. The pub is in walking distance of the coast with its pretty coves and is dog friendly.
The Three Tuns, The Square, St Keverne TR12 6NA (T: 01326 821101)
Amazing pub. The food was home cooked and superb. Would highly recommend the fish pie which was delicious! The night visited the pub was full of locals who were very friendly and entertaining. Would highly recommend.
May 2023
A very friendly welcome from all the staff. Excellent food - very generous portions.
May 2023
Closed for refurbishment
July 2022
(4)
A pretty, welcoming pub in the heart of St Keverne offering good food and an extensive range of real ales. Plenty of parking and tables outside to soak up the summer sunshine.
The White Hart, The Square, St Keverne TR12 6ND
Very welcoming pub with basic affordable pub grub. Not too much choice but service was quick
May 2023
Friendly staff, good choice of food.we ate here twice and enjoyed both meals
May 2022
Fantastic pub, excellent sunday roast and very good service, Thank you
June 2021
Excellent food, we had a super Sunday roast, good value.
July 2019
(1)
A popular bistro on the High Street at St Keverne serving inventive and beautifully presented dishes using the best local ingredients.
The Greenhouse, 6 High Street, St Keverne, Cornwall TR12 6NN (T: 01326 280800)
Amazing food never seen a chef so chilled whilst cooking
June 2022
(6)
A small sheltered pebble beach with lovely views where fishermen used to launch their boats in their hundreds. Today there are still a few working fishing boats pulled up on the shore and the unspoilt village has a popular pub, aptly named The Five Pilchards. Car parking literally on the beach so not far to carry all the kit, lots of rockpools exposed at low tide and great snorkeling just offshore.
Nothing special
September 2023
A very quiet beach. Great coastal walks with stunning views over the sea.
May 2023
Gorgeous beach and easy to get to the sea. Shale and rock beach but enough space for kids to enjoy themselves
August 2022
lovely quite pebble beach, pub right on the beach with public toilets
June 2021
A lovely sheltered beach of rocks and pebbles so no good for sandcastles etc. We visited regularly after 7 pm and not during the day and it was almost always deserted (Spring bank holiday week) Great to just watch the waves roll in and soak up the ambience.
June 2021
Beautiful but not much going on.
July 2019
Godrevy Cove is a lovely sandy beach over 300m in length and unlike other beaches in the area, there is still plenty of sand at high water. Access is via the Coast Path but it’s not a difficult walk, only about 500m from the hamlet of Rosenithon where you can leave the car on the road. There’s good swimming and snorkelling here, as well as rock pools at low tide and the beach is never crowded. You can also access next door Leggan Cove across the foreshore at low water, a similar but smaller and more sheltered beach.
This is a real gem but quite tricky to access, so it’s not for everyone. Almost hidden on the southern banks of the Helford River, this idyllic sand and shingle cove is surrounded by thick woodland and is a fantastic spot to swim or sunbathe, often without another soul in sight. To get there either cut through the gardens of the Bosahan estate (summer months only, admission charges apply), bring a small boat or walk about a mile along the coast path from Helford Village. No amenities due to its location, dogs allowed all year round.
(1)
A quiet and secluded shingle beach on the Helford River in between the villages of Durgan and Mawnan. Access is via a short woodland walk from Durgan and then a steep path down to the beach, which means it’s rarely crowded and ideal if you prefer peace and quiet to cafes and facilities, of which there are none. The water is safe for swimming here and there are rocky outcrops to explore and jump off. It’s worth bearing in mind though that while there is a large beach at low water, with the highest tides it’s completely covered. Dogs welcome all year round.
This beach would probably be a problem for pushchairs but is a little more secluded. We met a lot of dog walkers.
September 2021
Prisk Cove beach can only be reached on foot, either from the village of Mawnan through a pretty wooded valley or via the South West Coast Path. Located just south of Rosemullion Head the beach consists mainly of shingle with a huge expanse of rockpools exposed at low tide. Parking at Mawnan Church or on the road, dogs welcome all year.