Porthleven

Porthleven, the most southerly working port in the United Kingdom, is still very much a working fishing village, and this trade has always been very important throughout the years. Much of the catch is still sold locally but the main outside market is now at Newlyn.

Porthleven Harbour by T. F. Splatt, reproduced by kind permission of The Old Custom House Studio

In the mid 1800s the construction of the harbour started and for the next hundred years the village was of major importance for exporting minerals and clay together with importing coal and other goods.

Although, like so many small harbours around the coast, Porthleven no longer has its own lifeboat, you can see the Old Lifeboat House which served the community, and ships of passage, until 1929. Obviously, being still very much a working fishing village means that the community still values the work of the Royal National Lifeboat Institute and every year (this year Sunday 27th July) there is a day to raise money for that organisation.

The village remains very much unspoilt by progress and it is easy to soak up the atmosphere of its unique Cornish culture when looking at the buildings around the harbour. With its charm, character and a wealth of history, it’s no wonder that it has become such a popular destination with visitors.

Leigh and Adrian Santi moved to Porthleven and The Atlantic Inn in 2002. Whilst renovating and modernising to the extent needed to provide modern catering and facilities, their prime intention is to always keep any changes sympathetic to the pub’s unique atmosphere.

There is lively Saturday night entertainment and during the week they hold pub quizzes and darts. The regular customers are mainly local people (always a good sign) so you can get a real sense of the Cornish hospitality.

James Langley is now the established chef, having been at The Atlantic for four years.

The menu is varied and augmented by all sorts of daily specials. There is a selection of interesting wines and some lovely local real ales from Skinners at Truro. On a clear day sat on the terrace you can have uninterrupted views from The Lizard to Mousehole. Leigh and Adrian feel extremely lucky to live in such a beautiful place and hope you will come and share it with them during your stay in the area.

Dane and Paula run The Lugger Restaurant & Bar and assure you of a warm welcome on your visit. Dane, an “Autodidacte Chef” with many years experience, works his magic in the kitchen and creates dishes in-house using only fresh produce and fish from local farms and boats, creating a constantly changing menu of honest food at sensible prices, all this is enhanced with an extensive selection of wines, beers and other drinks.

The Lugger offers unrivalled views of the Historic Harbour from the dining room and patio area, on which, on a warm day or evening, you can dine al fresco or just enjoy a drink whilst watching the world go by. Since taking over the restaurant in 2005, Dane, Paula and their team have made The Lugger on of Porthleven’s leading restaurants.

Step through the door of Quayside Fish in Fore Street and you realise that this is much more than a just a fishmongers as you are immediately surrounded by an expanse of local products. Delicious sauces and marinades from the famous Halzephron Herb Farm, jams and jellies with a ‘bit of a kick’ from the Cornish Chilli Company and crystal clear honey from hives just up the road at Breage, are amongst the interesting selection. Alongside are speciality wines from vineyards as close as the Camel Valley to a wonderful Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand.

As you venture further into the shop you will sense the familiar Quayside enthusiasm as you approach the gleaming fresh fish counter, overflowing from end to end with a staggering display of colour and selection of different species. There are also the ever popular smoked specialities, succulent Quayside roast salmon, lightly smoked prawns and crevettes to name but a few.

Great care is taken in the preparation of all orders whether they are going to be collected from the shop or distributed throughout the UK on a next day delivery.