Porthleven

Porthleven is an ancient port and fishing village in the English County of Cornwall situated on the Atlantic Coastline just south of Helston (the most southerly town in England).  It is the most southerly port on the UK mainland, and the only west facing port in Cornwall; and due to this latter aspect the harbour (that dates from around 1825) has never been easy to negotiate. Consequently, in past times it never flourished as well as other Cornish ports. However, because of its location it became very important for the shipping of tin and other ores (namely copper, lead and silver) from the nearby mines; and for a period in the mid 19th Century it enjoyed an extensive and thriving trade in pilchards.  But alike other Cornish coastal villages, Porthleven also has a darker history of Piracy & Smuggling and Wrecking (the pillaging of those ships unfortunate enough to suffer the vagaries of the treacherous coastline).  There are early photographs of Porthleven that show the vast number of sailing ships that frequented the port; more than you could imagine that such a relatively small harbour could support.  However, today only a small fishing fleet remains, the local mining industry that dated back some 400 years has gone and Porthleven has become a quiet and secluded village retaining much charm, character and a wealth of history.