Portreath

During the 19th century, this now quiet village was at its busiest with over 100,000 tons of copper passing through the port and equally vast quantities of coal were received here from the coalfields of South Wales. Prior to the quay being constructed by the Basset family in 1760, copper ore from the mines around Redruth had to be loaded on to ships from the beach, which was not only a slow job, but also a dangerous one. Some years later, in 1809, the new Harbour was connected to the mines by the first railway in Cornwall. The Basset family was one of the four most powerful families in Cornwall with extensive lands and mineral rights in this western part of the county. Inland at Carn Brea, near Redruth, there is a memorial dedicated to the family. With the general decline in mining fortunes in the county in the early years of the 20th century, the influence of the family also waned. Tehidy house, just south of Portreath, was destroyed by fire and never rebuilt, though in 1918 some of the buildings were turned into a hospital. Today the estate is a country park and open to the public.

Portreath is historically rich and naturally blessed, and now cares for the needs of a multitude of visitors each year. This popular holiday spot has a secluded, sandy beach, which is ideal for the family and for the more energetic watersports enthusiasts. Like many beaches on the north Cornish coast, surfers, and in particular body-boarders, turn up in force at high tide on big swells to surf the harbour wall, or ‘Vortex’ as it is known. Though you may be content with the beach here, Portreath is within walking distance of other coastal attractions, notably the awe-inspiring Hell’s Mouth, a cauldron of waves and black rocks at the base of high cliffs. While just to the north of Tehidy Country Park, the village also marks the starting point of the Mineral Tramway Walks.

For a fun day out, Treasure Park, at Tolgus Mill,near Portreath, is a unique shopping and attractions experience; for heritage visit the Tolgus tin museum and climb aboard the Tolgus Tin 4-D haunted mine ride; Cornish Goldsmiths has the largest collection of gold jewellery in the West Country, but it’s not all about gold, you will find silver, crystal and pearls, too. Other surprises to be had here include pottery painting, the chance to have your photo taken with the Dolorian car from the film Back to Future or to make a bear and bring it to life.

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