Porthgwarra Cove, Cornwall, is a tiny picturesque fishing cove nestling in some of the most beautiful coastline in England. It has been used as a location for a number of films, including "Shell Seekers", "Love Story" and, most recently, the BBC production of Rosamund Pilcher's novel "Coming Home". Its small sandy beach is safe for bathing. Seals in the cove can be watched from the bedroom windows of Carn Scathe House.

• Old Porthgwarra
• Facilities in and around Porthgwarra
• Getting to Porthgwarra

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Porthgwarra began to develop as a fishing cove in the mid 1800's: the Terrace (including Carn Scathe House) was built around 1870. In those days the slipway was covered with sailing boats that used to travel the seven miles to the Wolf Rock in search of good fishing grounds. If the wind failed them they would be becalmed for days. The area around Porthgwarra became famous for shell fish, especially lobsters. The remains of the old crab wells for storing the shell fish can still be seen at low tide between the rocks.

A small shop selling food, drinks, cards etc. is open in the cove during the summer season. Porthcurno (3 miles away), Sennen (5 miles) and St Buryan (5 miles) have general stores: the PK stores in Porthcurno also has a Post Office and off-licence. Larger shops are available in Penzance, including both Tesco and Safeway supermarkets.

Most of the villages in the area contain a pub or hotel, usually providing food as well.

The nearest Anglican church is at St.Levan, a ten minute walk along the cliff path. The nearest Methodist chapel is in Polgigga.

Porthgwarra is a very small place: so small that it doesn't appear on many road maps! The map on the left gives an idea of where it is. The OS Grid reference is SW372218 - try the OS 'Getamap' website for more details (enter either the grid ref or 'Porthgwarra' in the search box). Before visiting you may like to get a copy of the Ordnance Survey map of the area: either the 1:50,000 Landranger (No.203) or the 1:25,000 Explorer series (No.102).

Porthgwarra is 10 miles south-west of Penzance, and only a few miles along the Cornwall Coastal Path from Lands End.

To get to Porthgwarra by car, use the M5, then take the A30, continuing around the Penzance bypass. Three miles west of Penzance turn left at Catchall on the B3283 and carry on straight through St Buryan. After three miles turn left at Polgigga where there is a signpost to Porthgwarra.