Dramatic cliffs, turquoise water and fine golden sand make the stretch of coastline between Porthcurno and Penberth one of the most beautiful in this part of Cornwall. It's also one of the most fascinating, home to the spectacular Minack Theatre and what was once the telecommunications hub of the entire British Empire.
The weather was so lovely last week, we abandoned all pretence of work and headed out on one of our favourite walks. This relatively easy three-mile circuit begins at Porthcurno and follows the South West Coast Path past the infinitely Instagrammable beach at Pedn Vounder and the famous rocking stone at Logan Rock to the little fishing village of Penberth. From there, it turns inland towards Treen and drops back down past the telegraph museum and into Porthcurno.
I‘ve written about the walk before and don’t want to repeat myself so, if you you’d like to read more about the route, click here. This is more of a photo essay from our visit.
If you're not particularly keen on walking, there are plenty of other things to keep you occupied. If conditions are right, you can follow the same route by paddleboard or canoe. In fact it's probably an easier way to reach the glorious golden sands of Pedn Vounder than taking the steep path down to the beach. Less famous than its more isolated neighbour, Porthcurno beach is also beautiful. It has the advantage of being more easily accessbile and there are lifeguards on duty during the summer.
Of course one of the main attractions in this area is The Minack Theatre, carved out of the cliffs above the ocean by the indomitable Rowena Cade and her gardener. It's worth exploring even if you're not seeing a play and the views from newly-revamped cafe are spectacular. As you can imagine, it's a popular destination during the summer so make sure you buy tickets in advance to ensure entry. I've written about The Minack here.
In 1870, the first undersea telegraph cable was brought ashore at Porthcurno, making the valley a hub for global communications. You can explore its history at The PK Porthcurno Museum of Global Communications. The gallery upstairs is great for kids and perhaps more fascinating is the bomb-proof bunker which was crucial to Allied communications during the Second World War. PK Porthcurno is also dog-friendly for those of you travelling with canine companions. You can find out more about the museum here https://pkporthcurno.com
A new discovery for us is Farm & Fort, a lovely little cafe and bar in Treen. We stopped off for coffee and cake as part of our walk but you can also park in the village. They're hosting a range of events over the summer including pizza nights and film screenings. Check out their Instagram account for the most up to date information.
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