James’s guidebook
Sightseeing
A stay in Porthcurno would not be complete without a visit to PK Porthcurno – Museum of Global Communications. As a guest of Telegraph Cottage, you have unlimited free visits to the museum for the duration of your stay (subject to availability, pre-booking recommended. This only applies to people staying at the cottage). You are also entitled to a discount of 10% in the museum shop and Café PK throughout your stay. PK Porthcurno is open daily from April to October, and operates a reduced opening schedule from November to March - please check in advance to avoid disappointment.
Come and explore how this once uninhabited valley became the home to the largest telegraph station in the world. Discover the World War Two bunker where the telegraph station was hidden to protect allied communications. View the exhibitions and interactive displays in a museum experience that will intrigue and delight all ages.
Porthcurno Telegraph Station (known by its international code name ‘PK’) was founded in 1870, when the first submarine cable landed on the beach here at Porthcurno, linking Britain with India and eventually the rest of the British Empire. Until that time Porthcurno was virtually uninhabited with only a farm and a small cluster of cottages near the top of the Valley. It was only an accident of geology – the sharply shelving beach at Porthcurno, which makes it unsuitable as a fishing harbour – that led to PK becoming the world’s largest telegraph station. By the 1950s, Porthcurno had become an international training college for telecommunications under the ownership of Cable & Wireless. The site and buildings you can see around Telegraph Cottage were all part of a bustling college campus with nearly 600 students. In 1993, the college closed relocating to Coventry, and Porthcurno was quiet again.
72 místní doporučují
PK Porthcurno
A stay in Porthcurno would not be complete without a visit to PK Porthcurno – Museum of Global Communications. As a guest of Telegraph Cottage, you have unlimited free visits to the museum for the duration of your stay (subject to availability, pre-booking recommended. This only applies to people staying at the cottage). You are also entitled to a discount of 10% in the museum shop and Café PK throughout your stay. PK Porthcurno is open daily from April to October, and operates a reduced opening schedule from November to March - please check in advance to avoid disappointment.
Come and explore how this once uninhabited valley became the home to the largest telegraph station in the world. Discover the World War Two bunker where the telegraph station was hidden to protect allied communications. View the exhibitions and interactive displays in a museum experience that will intrigue and delight all ages.
Porthcurno Telegraph Station (known by its international code name ‘PK’) was founded in 1870, when the first submarine cable landed on the beach here at Porthcurno, linking Britain with India and eventually the rest of the British Empire. Until that time Porthcurno was virtually uninhabited with only a farm and a small cluster of cottages near the top of the Valley. It was only an accident of geology – the sharply shelving beach at Porthcurno, which makes it unsuitable as a fishing harbour – that led to PK becoming the world’s largest telegraph station. By the 1950s, Porthcurno had become an international training college for telecommunications under the ownership of Cable & Wireless. The site and buildings you can see around Telegraph Cottage were all part of a bustling college campus with nearly 600 students. In 1993, the college closed relocating to Coventry, and Porthcurno was quiet again.
The Minack is one of the world’s most famous and photographed outdoor theatres. Built into the cliffs above Porthcurno beach, it offers spectacular views across Cornwall’s Atlantic coastline, and welcomes more than 100,000 people a year to its performances.
180 místní doporučují
The Minack Theatre
The Minack is one of the world’s most famous and photographed outdoor theatres. Built into the cliffs above Porthcurno beach, it offers spectacular views across Cornwall’s Atlantic coastline, and welcomes more than 100,000 people a year to its performances.
Telegraph Cottage is located just 5 minutes from one of the most picturesque sections of the longest National Trail in the UK, the South West Coast Path. This incredible path hugs the coastline for 630 miles through some of the most breath-taking coastline of the UK. From Porthcurno you can walk towards Land’s End and explore smuggling coves, tidal beaches, and protected nature reserves. If you head towards Penzance, you’ll experience some tough ascents and descents, but the effort is worth it as you traverse a stunning ancient landscape. We recommend checking out the South West Coast Path Association website for further details on the path.
72 místní doporučují
South West Coast Path
South West Coast PathTelegraph Cottage is located just 5 minutes from one of the most picturesque sections of the longest National Trail in the UK, the South West Coast Path. This incredible path hugs the coastline for 630 miles through some of the most breath-taking coastline of the UK. From Porthcurno you can walk towards Land’s End and explore smuggling coves, tidal beaches, and protected nature reserves. If you head towards Penzance, you’ll experience some tough ascents and descents, but the effort is worth it as you traverse a stunning ancient landscape. We recommend checking out the South West Coast Path Association website for further details on the path.
Pedn Vounder’s name comes from the Cornish ‘Pedn’ (pronounced Pednee) meaning ‘End’ and Vounder meaning ‘lane’. This is a tidal beach which can sometimes be accessed on foot from Porthcurno beach at low tide, depending on how the sand has shifted. Pedn Vounder is cut off at high tide - so please check tide timetables when planning your trip! It is also worth noting that Pedn is an unofficial naturist beach. Please note that Lifeguard cover is only in place during summer season from 19 May to 30 September and covers Porthcurno only. Dogs are not allowed on Porthcurno beach during this period. Be aware that high tide cuts off beach access to Pedn and disguises Porthcurno sand shelf drop off, powerful tides and waves mean that caution is advised when swimming. See RNLI safety info below or visit https://rnli.org/ To the east of Porthcurno cove along the coast path is the arresting granite headland of Treryn Dinas best known as the location of the Logan rock, a naturally occurring 60-tonne rock balancing 30 metres above the sea.
99 místní doporučují
Porthcurno Beach
Pedn Vounder’s name comes from the Cornish ‘Pedn’ (pronounced Pednee) meaning ‘End’ and Vounder meaning ‘lane’. This is a tidal beach which can sometimes be accessed on foot from Porthcurno beach at low tide, depending on how the sand has shifted. Pedn Vounder is cut off at high tide - so please check tide timetables when planning your trip! It is also worth noting that Pedn is an unofficial naturist beach. Please note that Lifeguard cover is only in place during summer season from 19 May to 30 September and covers Porthcurno only. Dogs are not allowed on Porthcurno beach during this period. Be aware that high tide cuts off beach access to Pedn and disguises Porthcurno sand shelf drop off, powerful tides and waves mean that caution is advised when swimming. See RNLI safety info below or visit https://rnli.org/ To the east of Porthcurno cove along the coast path is the arresting granite headland of Treryn Dinas best known as the location of the Logan rock, a naturally occurring 60-tonne rock balancing 30 metres above the sea.
The Jackson Foundation is a unique, ambitious, and award-winning art-space celebrating and championing arts and the natural world. Housed within a massive ex-industrial building in the centre of the former mining town of St Just, the Foundation was set up by leading contemporary artist Kurt Jackson and his wife Caroline and hosts an annual programme of quality contemporary exhibitions working in partnership with a variety of environmental and non-profit organisations.
14 místní doporučují
Jackson Foundation
North RowThe Jackson Foundation is a unique, ambitious, and award-winning art-space celebrating and championing arts and the natural world. Housed within a massive ex-industrial building in the centre of the former mining town of St Just, the Foundation was set up by leading contemporary artist Kurt Jackson and his wife Caroline and hosts an annual programme of quality contemporary exhibitions working in partnership with a variety of environmental and non-profit organisations.
Discover the story of the Cornish tin and copper mining industry at Geevor Tin Mine. Explore the mine buildings at your own pace and take a visit into 18th century Wheal Mexico Mine where men worked 200 years ago. One of the most evocative and moving experiences of a visit is The Dry – the changing rooms of the mine, which have been left almost exactly as they were on the day that the miners came up to the surface for the last time in 1990.
133 místní doporučují
Důl Geevor Tin
Discover the story of the Cornish tin and copper mining industry at Geevor Tin Mine. Explore the mine buildings at your own pace and take a visit into 18th century Wheal Mexico Mine where men worked 200 years ago. One of the most evocative and moving experiences of a visit is The Dry – the changing rooms of the mine, which have been left almost exactly as they were on the day that the miners came up to the surface for the last time in 1990.
Food scene
This Beach Café is open from April to September, fully licenced café serving wines, spirits, teas and coffee, lunch and snacks – Dogs welcome!
99 místní doporučují
Porthcurno Beach
This Beach Café is open from April to September, fully licenced café serving wines, spirits, teas and coffee, lunch and snacks – Dogs welcome!
Located just a stone's throw from tidal Porthgwarra Beach, this small coastal cafe with garden, is where you can find light lunches, Moomaid of Zennor ice cream, and homemade cakes - perfect for seaside family picnics. You'll also find traditional Cornish cream teas and freshly baked pasties. Dogs welcome.
37 místní doporučují
Porthgwarra Cove Cafe
Located just a stone's throw from tidal Porthgwarra Beach, this small coastal cafe with garden, is where you can find light lunches, Moomaid of Zennor ice cream, and homemade cakes - perfect for seaside family picnics. You'll also find traditional Cornish cream teas and freshly baked pasties. Dogs welcome.
This 16th century traditional village pub in Treen serves a variety of real ales and home cooked food.
28 místní doporučují
The Logan Rock Inn
This 16th century traditional village pub in Treen serves a variety of real ales and home cooked food.
Just a couple of miles up the hill, towards Land’s End, café serving locally sourced food, alongside their own roasted Penmarace coffee. Check out their website for details of special evening openings.
13 místní doporučují
The Apple Tree Cafe
Just a couple of miles up the hill, towards Land’s End, café serving locally sourced food, alongside their own roasted Penmarace coffee. Check out their website for details of special evening openings.
The closest town to Porthcurno is the historic mining town of St Just, and this café is just off the main square. Serving delicious home-baked cakes, local Yallah coffee, with all fruit and veg supplied by three local farms. We highly recommend the café for breakfast or lunch, good selection of vegetarian and vegan options available
26 místní doporučují
Cafe Dog & Rabbit
North RowThe closest town to Porthcurno is the historic mining town of St Just, and this café is just off the main square. Serving delicious home-baked cakes, local Yallah coffee, with all fruit and veg supplied by three local farms. We highly recommend the café for breakfast or lunch, good selection of vegetarian and vegan options available
We are a small café in the heart of Penzance serving wholesome homemade food, cakes, cream teas and artisan coffee to sit in or take away. We have a strong focus on sustainability, with local produce at the heart of our seasonal changing menu and plastic-free practices standard in our everyday prep and service. With our iconic glass shopfront, cosy interior and stand out food, The Honey Pot has become an institution in the town. The café is notoriously busy with both locals and visitors throughout the year, so it is always best to phone ahead or use our online booking form before your visit.
39 místní doporučují
The Honey Pot
5 Parade StWe are a small café in the heart of Penzance serving wholesome homemade food, cakes, cream teas and artisan coffee to sit in or take away. We have a strong focus on sustainability, with local produce at the heart of our seasonal changing menu and plastic-free practices standard in our everyday prep and service. With our iconic glass shopfront, cosy interior and stand out food, The Honey Pot has become an institution in the town. The café is notoriously busy with both locals and visitors throughout the year, so it is always best to phone ahead or use our online booking form before your visit.