Cornwall is easily considered by many keen adventurers one of the best holiday destinations in the UK and this quaint village makes up just a tiny yet mighty part of it.
On the east side of the peninsula, roughly seven miles southeast of Truro, lies Portscathothe charming seaside village drawing in fewer tourists. From its quaint cottages lining the seafront to its baby-blue waters, there’s a welcoming feel to this small patch of Cornwall that is often overlooked by visitors.
The area’s east-facing cove means it offers perfect shelter from winds and therefore made it an ideal base for fishermen throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. To this day the fishing village acts as a much smaller-scale port, providing fresh fish to locals.
This very same shelter, also known as Gerrans Bay, offers a great, safe swimming spot, and its close proximity to a number of sandy beaches makes it worth a visit for families. After a dip in the clearest of waters, there’s a charming set of spots to wander around in the heart of the village.
The centre is home to several shops, made up of a grocery store and butchers, as well as several galleries and gift shops. Not to mention, the village pub, and local’s favourite dive, The Plume of Feathers, is a great resting place that serves up Cornwall’s best ales and tasty grub.
A visitor wrote on TripAdvisor: “What a great pub. The staff were really friendly and helpful even though it was ever so busy being the end of May half term. The menu was not extensive, but boy was it tasty and good. It tasted more like home-cooked than busy-pub-cooked, and there were some interesting twists on traditional dishes.
“The ale was well kept, and the wine served at the correct temperature. A wonderful dining experience in a lovely village setting, and we will definitely go back.”
Holidaymakers love to soak up the sea, sand and sun as much as they can during their stay in Portscatho, which has formed part of a sweet tradition. At sunset, you’ll spot families, both locals and tourists alike, gathered around to watch the sky become tainted with orange as they jump off the pier and into the water.
One visitor from Global Travellers made note of a few of their favourite spots when it came to the food the fishing village had to offer. They wrote that their favourite part of their visit was a coastal walk, finished with lunch at The Hidden Hut, and a chocolate brownie from Tatam’s in the centre.
For those slightly more active travellers, there are several stunning walks on offer in and around Portscatho. One of them includes the circular walk along a two-mile stretch of beach, taking you around the entirety of Gerrans Bay so you can view it in all of its glory while on an easy-moderate trail. Other tourists opt for a circular walk on the Roseland coast.