Porthleven is one of Cornwall’s most characterful harbour towns. With its independent shops, bustling foodie scene, and dramatic coastal setting, it has quickly become a favourite place to return to.

On our latest visit, we decided to spend a day here, camera in hand, to capture the atmosphere and share our experience in this travel photo diary.

Whether you’re planning a family day out, searching for things to do in Porthleven, or simply curious about this Cornish harbour town, here’s what we discovered.

Arriving in Porthleven

We were staying at Clowance Estate for a family weekend break and had set aside Sunday to explore Porthleven. Having visited last year under difficult circumstances, having received bad news while away for a weekend in Helston, we were keen to make some new memories this summer. We’d noticed there were lots of eateries and a good vibe, as well as being allowed to swim in the harbour, which the kids were keen to do, but we weren’t prepared last year for this.

On this year’s weekend away at Clowance Estate, we had planned on Saturday to visit Penzance Lido, but the heavy rain and storms ruined that idea, so instead we tried Mousehole briefly. The rain was too heavy to stay long, so we were worried about being able to make it to Porthleven as planned for Sunday, but luckily the skies cleared and the rain took a break for the day. Phew!

After such a lovely summer, finally, after a couple of years of not-so-great summers in Cornwall, we typically had a heavy rain weekend forecast for our only weekend away during the whole summer! We decided to leave first thing on Sunday to make the most of the day as soon as we saw the sun was shining.

Arriving early in Porthleven turned out to be a good choice, as parking can get tricky. We were relieved to find a space easily and headed straight towards the harbour to start our day. The sky was now clear, but the sea was still rough, and the swimming area in the harbour was full of waves and a lot of debris, making it unsuitable for swimming. A shame, as we were prepared to swim this time, so we’ll try again next time we visit! Third time lucky perhaps!

Food and pasties by the harbour

The children quickly spotted Philps famous pasties and were determined to try one. They went for the vegan vegetable pasty, which looked so good that we all ended up with one!

Standing next to the harbour, watching colourful fishing boats bob in the water, we tucked in while trying to protect our food from sneaky seagulls.

If you’ve been to Cornwall before, you’ll know seagulls can be bold, swooping in from behind or even stealing food straight out of your hand.

Top tip: keep your pasty close to your chest and stay alert. Luckily, we managed to enjoy ours in peace as the sun came back out after a brief spell of clouds that made us fear for rain once more! The clouds were short-lived, luckily!

Walking around the harbour and watching the waves

We walked along the harbour towards the church, where waves were crashing dramatically against the walls. Even though the sunshine had returned, the sea remained too rough for swimming. For the second year in a row, we didn’t manage to get into the water, but it was still fascinating to watch the sheer power of the waves smashing against the harbour quay.

We made our way to the small Porthleven beach we had spotted last year but hadn’t explored properly. This time we spent longer there, where the kids enjoyed collecting small, smooth, precious-looking pebbles. They were so polished that they almost felt like glass, and the children loved holding them and trying to find the best one!

I sat on a rock towards the back of the beach, mesmerised by the rolling, crashing waves. I could have sat there for hours. The waves were the perfect type for wave-watching. They reminded me of the waves I’ve seen so often at Lusty Glaze, all smashing into each other, coming from all directions. It was relaxing to sit in the sunshine, mesmerised by the rolling, crashing waves.

Although no one was swimming in the sea, a lifeguard appeared and advised people not even to paddle at the shoreline. The rip currents were too strong, making it unsafe for anyone to be in or near the water.

Shops, fudge, and quirky finds

After spending time on the beach, we headed back into the town and browsed the shops and market stalls. The fudge van tempted us again with its vegan options — chocolate, vanilla, and salted caramel — and we bought a couple of packs for the children.

Porthleven has a lovely indie feel. We spotted Hand and Palm, a tiny shop so small it has a sign outside saying “Ooh, this is a shop” to make sure people don’t mistake it for a storage shed! Another shop overflowed with succulents spilling onto the street.

There’s even Sapling and Bud, a quirky succulent truck that had a queue of people waiting. At first, I thought it was a food truck with a queue, then realised it was a succulent truck. How fun! These details all add to the unique, indie vibe of Porthleven, which I really love.

Although I usually prefer to spend time discovering somewhere new whenever we go away, Porthleven is one place I’d happily revisit. In fact, it’s one of the few towns where I could even imagine living. While I normally can’t picture living anywhere other than Newquay, I think Porthleven would be a wonderful spot to call home.

The Shipyard Market and The Old Lifeboat House

Next, we visited the Shipyard Market, a mix of indoor stalls and outdoor eateries. Inside, we found local makers, jewellery, artwork, crafts, and even a distillery. The smell of Thai food drifted across the market, and outside, we noticed a bagel stand offering vegan options we’ll definitely try next time.

We also wandered down to The Old Lifeboat House, now an art gallery. Inside, white walls displayed beautiful artwork, many inspired by the ocean. Looking out of the old lifeboat windows towards the sea gave us some of our favourite views of the day.

Nearby, we admired the sculpture of the man and seagull gazing out to sea, along with the cannon and the iconic row of harbourfront houses. These little touches make Porthleven photogenic from every angle.

We also noticed a sign for The Trail, a walking route that guides visitors past historic buildings and key sights in Porthleven. Although we didn’t follow it this time, we still came across many of the landmarks it highlights during our wanderings.

Lunch in Porthleven

By lunchtime, we were ready for a break. We sat in the harbourside beer garden of the Harbour Inn, a cosy pub with outdoor seating right by the water.

After a drink, we searched for food. Cargo had burgers, fries, and nachos, but nothing vegan that appealed. Bola, a very pink café, was sadly closed.

Instead, we ended up at the Twisted Currant Tea Room, which has a hidden garden and an all-day vegan breakfast menu. The kids and I enjoyed a plant-based breakfast each, while my husband tried a ciabatta filled with plant-based goodness. It was hearty and satisfying, and a lovely way to round off our day.

Reflections on our day in Porthleven

Even though we didn’t get to swim as planned, our visit to Porthleven was full of highlights. From eating pasties by the harbour to browsing indie shops, watching waves, and enjoying vegan fudge, it was a day packed with memories.

Porthleven has a creative, independent spirit that makes it stand out. Between the art galleries, the quirky shops, and the bustling food scene, there’s so much to experience.

Even though I usually prefer visiting somewhere new each time we go away, Porthleven is one place I definitely want to return to again.

Next time, we may even stay in town itself, giving us more time to explore at sunrise and sunset, and a chance to indulge ourselves at as many eateries as possible!

Things to Do in Porthleven, Cornwall

• Walk around the harbour and admire the colourful fishing boats.
• Visit the small beach to collect tiny smooth pebbles.
• Browse the Shipyard Market for local crafts, jewellery, and unique food stalls.
• Explore The Old Lifeboat House art gallery.
• Check out the cannons.
• Follow The Trail to discover Porthleven’s historic buildings.
• Visit independent shops such as Hand and Palm or the succulent truck, Sapling and Bud.

Best Photo Spots in Porthleven

• The church and harbour walls with waves crashing.
• Views back across the harbour from The Old Lifeboat House.
• The sculpture of the man and seagull gazing out to sea.
• The colourful harbourfront houses.
• The boats moored in the harbour at sunrise or sunset.

Eating Out in Porthleven, Cornwall

• Philp’s Pasties — famous for their Cornish pasties, including vegan vegetable.
• Harbour Inn — traditional pub with great outdoor seating by the harbour, also serving stonebaked pizzas from their food hut in the harbourside beer garden.
• Twisted Currant Tea Room — vegan breakfasts served all day and a hidden garden.
• Cargo — burgers, fries, and nachos.
• Bola Café — quirky, pink café and deli.
• The Ship Inn — historic pub right on the harbour.
• Kota Kai — a stylish casual restaurant, popular with families.
• The Square — fine dining with a reputation for seasonal Cornish ingredients.
• Amélies — a relaxed harbourside restaurant serving Mediterranean-inspired dishes.

Porthleven Food Festival

Since our visit, I’ve spotted that Porthleven also hosts the Porthleven Food Festival, usually held in April or May each year. This 3-day-long annual event attracts thousands of visitors and showcases the very best of Cornwall’s food scene.

Stalls line the harbour with everything from artisan bakes and pasties to global street food, while local restaurants host special events and guest chef demonstrations. There’s also live music, family-friendly entertainment, and a real festival atmosphere that takes over the whole town.

It’s one of the biggest foodie events in Cornwall and a brilliant reason for us to return in future. I’m really keen to go back and experience it for myself.

Art Galleries and Shops in Porthleven

• Customs House Gallery — local artists’ work, ceramics, glass, and sculpture.
• Four Crows Gallery — showcasing paintings, art, and coastal crafts.
• The Shipyard Market — a hub for makers and independent traders.
• The Old Lifeboat House — iconic art gallery with coastal-inspired exhibitions.
• Seasalt Cornwall — a Cornish clothing brand with a store near the harbour.
• Hand and Palm — the tiniest shop in town with lots of charm.
• Sapling and Bud — the famous succulent truck.

Final Word

Our latest trip to Porthleven gave us the chance to replace difficult memories with happy ones. Despite the rough seas and no swimming, we enjoyed vegan pasties, fudge, indie shops, art galleries, and spent hours simply soaking up the atmosphere of this unique Cornish harbour town.

We’re already planning to return again, hopefully staying overnight next time to explore even more of what Porthleven has to offer — and perhaps time it with the Porthleven Food Festival for the full experience.