{{Short description|Village in Cornwall, England}} {{Use British English|date=June 2016}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2023}} {{Infobox UK place |country = England |coordinates = {{coord|50.28234|-5.23682|display=inline,title}} |official_name = Porthtowan |cornish_name = Porthtewyn |population = |unitary_england = Cornwall |lieutenancy_england = Cornwall |region = South West England |constituency_westminster= |post_town = St Agnes |postcode_district = TR4 |postcode_area = TR |dial_code = |os_grid_reference = SW695475 |static_image_name = Approaching Porthtowan - geograph.org.uk - 2007324.jpg |static_image_caption = Porthtowan }}
'''Porthtowan''' ({{langx|kw|Porthtewyn}}, meaning ''landing place at the sand dunes'') is a small village in Cornwall, England, UK, which is a popular summer tourist destination. Porthtowan is on Cornwall's north Atlantic coast about {{convert|3.5|km|abbr=on}} southwest of St Agnes, {{convert|6|km|abbr=on}} north of Redruth, {{convert|16|km|abbr=on}} west of Truro and {{convert|24|km|abbr=on}} southwest of Newquay in the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape, a World Heritage Site.
Porthtowan is popular with surfers and industrial archaeologists; former mine stacks and engine houses dot the landscape.<ref name=SAF1/> It lies on the South West Coast Path.
==Geography== Porthtowan lies along the {{convert|627|ha|acre|adj=on}} Godrevy Head to St Agnes heritage coast,<ref name=SSSI>{{cite web|title=Godrevy Head to St Agnes|url=http://www.sssi.naturalengland.org.uk/citation/citation_photo/1003195.pdf|publisher=Natural England|access-date=6 December 2011|year=1989}}</ref> which is located on the north Cornwall coast of the Celtic Sea in the Atlantic Ocean. It lies between Godrevy Head (with the Godrevy Towans) and St Agnes Head, north of the village of St Agnes.<ref name=SSSImap>{{cite web|title=Godrevy Head to St Agnes map|url=http://www.natureonthemap.naturalengland.org.uk/map.aspx?map=sssi&feature=1003195,sssi,HYPERLINK,LABEL|publisher=Natural England|access-date=6 December 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013050043/http://www.natureonthemap.naturalengland.org.uk/map.aspx?map=sssi&feature=1003195,sssi,HYPERLINK,LABEL|archive-date=13 October 2012}}</ref><ref name=OS>Ordnance Survey: Landranger map sheet 203 ''Land's End'' {{ISBN|978-0-319-23148-7}}</ref><ref name=BritExpress>[http://www.britainexpress.com/countryside/coast/st-agnes.htm ''St Agnes Heritage Coast.''] British Express. Retrieved 18 September 2012.</ref> The Godrevy to St Agnes Heritage Coast has been a nationally designated protected area since 1986. The marine site protects 40 species of mammals and amphibians.<ref>[http://www.protectedplanet.net/sites/St_Agnes_Heritage_Coast ''St Agnes Heritage Coast.''] Protected Planet. Retrieved 18 September 2012.</ref><ref>[http://www.protectedplanet.net/sites/St_Agnes_Heritage_Coast/species ''Species''] Protected Planet: St Agnes Heritage Coast. Retrieved 18 September 2012.</ref>
thumb|Porthtowan Cliffs seen from West Cliff by R. Spence Porthtowan is within walking distance of National Trust coastal and cliff-side walks. Between Porthtowan and Agnes Head is one of Cornwall's "largest remaining heathland[s]." Ironically, the heath survived – and was not turned into arable land – because of the soil contamination of previous mining activities. Few plants or species other than heathers and spiders can thrive in the area's environmental condition.<ref>[http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/servlet/pdf/1/603605/Trail/Walking/Look_out_St_Agnes_%28Carn_Gowla%29_walk.pdf Look out St Agnes to Carn Gowla Walk.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023082713/http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/servlet/pdf/1/603605/Trail/Walking/Look_out_St_Agnes_%28Carn_Gowla%29_walk.pdf |date=23 October 2012 }} National Trust. Retrieved 28 September 2012.</ref>{{#tag:ref|The land, now owned by the National Trust, between St Agnes and Porthtowan was obtained in 1957 from Viscount Falmouth and others. It is 81.04 hectares (200.25 acres).<ref>[http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/servlet/file/store5/item724521/version1/nt_acquisitions_dec2011-2.pdf National Trust Acquisitions December 2011-2.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120603070439/http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/servlet/file/store5/item724521/version1/nt_acquisitions_dec2011-2.pdf |date=3 June 2012 }} National Trust. p. 29. Retrieved 28 September 2012.</ref>|group=nb}}
==Toponymy== Its name comes from the Cornish words "porth" and "tewyn" to mean landing place at the sand dunes.<ref name=SAF1>[http://www.stagnesforum.com/walk3.php ''Porthtowan, Banns Vale, Mount Hawke and Chapel Porth.''] St Agnes Forum. Retrieved 28 September 2012.</ref>
==History== Porthtowan's history is associated with mining and one of its most prominent buildings is a former engine house converted for residential use.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cornish Mining WHS - St Agnes Mining District |url=https://www.cornishmining.org.uk/areas/st-agnes-mining-district |access-date=2024-06-25 |website=www.cornishmining.org.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Engine House - Projects - CAD Architects, Cornwall |url=https://cadarchitects.co.uk/project/the-engine-house/ |access-date=2024-06-25 |website=Architects Truro, Cornwall based CAD Architects |language=en-GB}}</ref> Allen's Corn Mill operated at Porthtowan between 1752 and 1816.<ref>[http://www.pastscape.org.uk/hob.aspx?hob_id=426067 ''Allen's Mill.''] English Heritage National Monuments. Retrieved 21 September 2012.</ref>
Porthtowan owes much of its present-day character to its popularity as a local seaside resort in Victorian and Edwardian times when the local populace from Redruth and the surrounding areas went there, particularly on Bank Holidays.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-06-28 |title=Porthtowan |url=https://www.stagnes-pc.gov.uk/project/porthtowan/ |access-date=2024-06-25 |website=St.Agnes Parish Council |language=en-GB}} {{Source-attribution|no-icon=y}}</ref>
==Mining== Coastal settlements in Cornwall between Perranporth and Porthtowan had copper, lead, iron, tin and zinc mines. Porthtowan mines mainly produced copper.<ref name=Camm>Simon Camm. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=majEN4GGtoMC&pg=PA50 Cornish Rocks and Minerals]''. Alison Hodge Publishers; March 2010 [cited 29 September 2012]. {{ISBN|978-0-906720-71-4}}. p. 50.</ref>
===South Wheal Towan=== The South Wheal Towan copper mine also operated in the area. Still visible is its Echo Corner mine stack.<ref name=SAF1/> The mine had a slide lode that intersected with the main lode, Hamptons and Downright lode. In addition to copper pyrites, brown iron ore was also found in the mine.<ref>James Bastian Hill; Donald Alexander MacAlister; Sir John Smith Flett. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=vDbPAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA305 The geology of Falmouth and Truro and of the mining district of Camborne and Redruth]''. Printed for H. M. Stationery Off., by Wyman & Sons; 1908 [cited 29 September 2012]. p. 241.</ref>
===Tywarnhayle Mine=== The Tywarnhayle mine was opened in 1826 as United Hills Mine but the name was changed in 1848 to Tywarnhayle Mine. It was an important source of copper ore until about 1860.<ref>Barton, D. Bradford (1965) '' A Guide to the Mines of West Cornwall''; 2nd ed. Truro: D. Bradford Barton; p. 43</ref> Its engine house, Taylors Shaft, is visible in the hills surrounding the coastal village.<ref name=SAF1/>
The mine was located about 1 kilometre southeast of Porthtowan. It was the United Hills Mine on 3 February 1830 when an engine boiler exploded and killed nine people.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1830-02-05 |title=Dreadful accident - Nine Persons Killed |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-west-briton-dreadful-accident-nine/150060819/ |access-date=2024-06-25 |work=The West Briton |pages=2}}</ref> In 1906, money was invested to drain and work the Tywarnhayle mine. Water was piped out by Cornwall's first electrical centrifugal pumps, made by Worthington Simpson, at the rate of 1,000 gallons per minute.<ref name=SAF1/> The amount of copper ore mined between 1826 and 1906 was 86,800 tons.<ref>Barton, D. Bradford (1965) '' A Guide to the Mines of West Cornwall''; 2nd ed. Truro: D. Bradford Barton; p. 47</ref>
<gallery widths=200px heights=200px> File:Tywarnhayle mine, near Porthtowan - geograph.org.uk - 73824.jpg|Tywarnhayle mine. This disused mine and its extensive spoil tip is on the north valley side, about 1 km south east of Porthtowan. File:Footpath leading to Mount Hawke from Tywarnhayle Mine - geograph.org.uk - 1200063.jpg|Footpath leading to Mount Hawke from Tywarnhayle Mine </gallery>
===Tywarnhayle Stannary=== In Cornwall the mining industry had its own judicial system. Tywarnhayle was one of the four stannaries. There were three others: Blakemore, Foweymore and, lastly, Kerrier and Penwith. The Stannaries managed mining law, taxation, court proceedings and jails.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1447–1448 |title=Catalogue description (membrane 8) - Account roll - Cornwall; the 4 stannaries |url=https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/5fa16bdb-2fe9-4cfa-91ee-8663d2a9445f |access-date=2024-06-25 |website=discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk |language=English}} {{Source-attribution|no-icon=y}}</ref>
===Wheal Coates=== {{main|Wheal Coates}} The mine is renowned for its pseudomorphs, in this case tin oxide, or cassiterite, that takes on the shape of the feldspar crystals that it replaces within granite.<ref name=Camm/>
<gallery widths=200px heights=200px> File:Tin mine near St Agnes 2.JPG|Wheal Coates File:Tin mine near St Agnes.JPG|Wheal Coates File:Road Junction - geograph.org.uk - 182403.jpg|Road Junction. One road leads down into the steep valley which reaches the sea at Porthtowan. On the hillside in the distance is a lone engine house from an old mine. </gallery>
===Wheal Ellen=== Wheal Ellen was a 19th-century copper mine. Remains of the mine are visible. It operated primarily from 1826 to 1862.<ref name=SAF1/>
===Wheal Lushington=== Wheal Lushington, also known as the New Wheal Towan, was a copper mine located on a hill overlooking the beach. The engine house that was built in 1872 was never used as an engine house and has since been converted for other uses.<ref>Barry Gamble. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=1yhxoRzAspAC&pg=PA44 Cornish Mines: Gwennap to the Tamar]''. Alison Hodge Publishers; April 2011 [cited 29 September 2012]. {{ISBN|978-0-906720-82-0}}. p. 47.</ref>
<gallery widths=200px heights=200px> File:Wheal Lushington, Porthtowan.jpg|The former Wheal Lushington engine house which has been converted into a café File:Engine house behind Porthtowan beach - geograph.org.uk - 1198692.jpg|Engine house behind Porthtowan beach now converted into a dwelling house </gallery>
===Wheal Towan=== Wheal Towan was one of Cornwall's most prolific 18th century copper mines.<ref name=Lewis/><ref name="Henwood1871"/> In 1772, women and girls worked at the mines, earning 4 to 6 d per day.<ref>Lynne Mayers. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=b-jSi_8QBYwC&pg=PA240 Balmaidens]''. Hypatia Publications; 1 June 2004 [cited 29 September 2012]. {{ISBN|978-1-872229-48-5}}. p. 27.</ref> In 1809 Wheal Towan had a cobbing shed which was a building used to break the ore up with a pointed hammer weighing up to four pounds. Teenage girls (bal maidens) sat on low benches and broke the ore to remove the rock and break the ore into small pieces. It was a loud and difficult task, but not as difficult as bucking which came next; this required the ore to be broken down into a powder or granules with a flat-ended cast iron hammer.<ref>Lynne Mayers. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=b-jSi_8QBYwC&pg=PA240 Balmaidens]''. Hypatia Publications; 1 June 2004 [cited 29 September 2012]. {{ISBN|978-1-872229-48-5}}. pp. 64, 63–65.</ref>
Sometime before 1826 the mine resulted in £130,000 profit, having been mined to a depth of 150 fathoms. It was then closed until 1826. Two 80-inch cylinder steam engines called Wilson's engine from the engineer Samuel Grose (1791–1866) were used in 1826 to drain the mine. The monthly output between January 1827 and March 1828 from the engine ranged from 48.9 to 84.2 million 94 pound bushels.<ref name=Lewis>Samuel Lewis. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=TZfHYLQ9hhEC&pg=PT68 A Topographical Dictionary of England: With Historical and Statistical Descriptions]''. Lewis; 1833. p. PT 68.</ref><ref name="Henwood1871">William Jory Henwood. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=tAlbAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA54 Address Delivered at the Spring Meeting of the Royal Institution of Cornwall, on the 23rd of May 1871]''. 1871 [cited 29 September 2012]. pp. 51–52.</ref>
It was also known as West Wheal Towan (1850–1867), Lelant Wheal Towan and West Wheal Lucy (1872). During the period he owned it, the mine provided Thomas Daniell (1715-1793) with an income estimated at the time as a "guinea a minute". His son Ralph Allen Daniell acquired the Trelissick estate, but in 1835 his son Thomas was declared bankrupt.
The first underground steam engine was built in Wheal Towan in 1785. It was reopened in 1872 as West Wheal Lucy and abandoned soon after.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wheal Towan Mine Cornwall |url=https://www.cornwall-calling.co.uk/mines/st-agnes/wheal-towan.htm |access-date=2024-06-25 |website=www.cornwall-calling.co.uk}}</ref>
The only remains on the surface are burrows created from the mine's operations. The burrows head in the direction of Towan Cross.<ref>D. B. Barton. ''A Guide to the Mines of West Cornwall''; 2nd ed. Truro: D. Bradford Barton, 1965. p. 42.</ref>
<gallery widths=200px heights=200px> File:Kites Shaft, Mineshaft Cover - geograph.org.uk - 187191.jpg|Kites Shaft mineshaft cover, West Wheal Towan mine File:Kites Shaft (Disused) - geograph.org.uk - 23513.jpg|Kites Shaft (disused), a typical old Cornish mine shaft; it has been boxed and had new fittings round the top for public safety </gallery>
==Religion== Porthtowan has a Wesleyan chapel.<ref name=MountHawke-Church>[http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/Cornwall/MountHawke/index.html#ChurchHistory ''Church History.''] Mount Hawke. GENUKI. Retrieved 28 September 2012. Also see:[http://www.caerkief.co.uk/Churches/MountH.html Mount Hawke Parish Church] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120210185540/http://www.caerkief.co.uk/Churches/MountH.html |date=10 February 2012 }}.</ref>
<gallery widths=200px heights=200px> File:The Chapel on the Hill - geograph.org.uk - 186605.jpg|The Chapel on the Hill, Methodist Church, Porthtowan </gallery>
==Culture and activities==
===Beaches=== thumb|View of the Pool from the cliff showing where the step used to start. Taken at high tide |alt=Photo showing a view down Eastcliff down towards the sea and the tidal pool in the rocks. thumb|Porthtowan Beach on the north coast of Cornwall, England. thumb|Lushington Beach near Porthtowan, Cornwall, England.
Porthtowan beach is a family and surfing Blue Flag beach. Designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), along the coast are Gullyn Rock, Diamond Rock and sandstone and slate cliffs.<ref>[http://www.beachesincornwall.co.uk/stives/porthtowan Porthtowan.] Beaches in Cornwall. 28 September 2012.</ref><ref>Mark Rainsley. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=NW2gJ0MAz_kC&pg=PA190 South West Sea Kayaking]''. Pesda Press; 15 April 2008 [cited 29 September 2012]. {{ISBN|978-1-906095-05-5}}. p. 190.</ref> It has more recently become well known as a surf resort and the surf club building. This is where the judges can be found for the annual SAS Rip Curl Cornish and Open Longboard Championship. The beach is kept under the constant scrutiny of the St Agnes based charity Surfers Against Sewage,<ref>[http://www.surfersvillage.com/surfing-news/5070 SAS / Rip Curl Cornish Open set for next weekend]. Porthowan Beach, Cornwall, UK 9–11 August 2002. Surfers Village. Retrieved 28 September 2012.</ref> which was founded in 1990 to improve water quality in Chapel Porth, Porthtowan, and Trevaunance beaches.<ref>Mark Rainsley. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=NW2gJ0MAz_kC&pg=PA190 South West Sea Kayaking]''. Pesda Press; 15 April 2008 [cited 29 September 2012]. {{ISBN|978-1-906095-05-5}}. p. 35.</ref>thumb|Porthtowan Beach from the East Cliff |alt=Photo taken from Eastcliff looking south down the coast towards St Ives. There was waves coming in across the cove.
Porthtowan also has a hidden tidal pool in the rocks and nestled up against the cliff. It is only accessible at low tide since the steps on the east cliff have fallen into disrepair.<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 November 2022 |title=Porthtowan Tidal Pool |url=https://explorecornwall.uk/attractions/porthtowan-tidal-pool/ |access-date=25 March 2024 |website=Explore Cornwall |language=en-US}}</ref> ===Restaurants and pubs=== The Unicorn pub is a beachside bar, eaterie, hotel and hostel, which offers live music, dj's and panoramic sunset views.
Overlooking the Porthtowan Beach is the Blue Bar, which has live music or disc jockeys on the weekend.<ref>David Else; Fionn Davenport. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=6cBuHueeTCMC&pg=PA379 Great Britain]''. Lonely Planet; 1 May 2009 [cited 29 September 2012]. {{ISBN|978-1-74104-491-1}}. p. 379.</ref>
Porthtowan Beach Cafe is located on Beach Road, and serves breakfast and lunch, as well as evening feast nights. The cafe was opened in 2012 by Heather Anne Jones.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Porthtowan Beach Cafe, Porthtowan, Porthtowan beach, Cornwall|url=https://www.porthtowanbeachcafe.com/|access-date=21 February 2021|website=porthtowancafe|language=en}}</ref>
Moomaid of Zennor has an parlour serving ice cream made locally at Tremedda Farm near Zennor.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Moomaid of Zennor Ice Cream – LUXURY CORNISH FARMHOUSE ICE CREAM|url=https://www.moomaidofzennor.com/|access-date=21 February 2021|website=www.moomaidofzennor.com}}</ref>
===Amateur dramatics=== An amateur theatre group, Porthtowan Players, formed in 1968,<ref>{{cite web|title=Porthtowan Players history|url=http://www.porthtowanplayers.com/history/40-years|access-date=7 December 2012}}</ref> operates from a permanent stage facility within Porthtowan Village Hall. The group puts on a pantomime, musical theatre show, short plays and a youth production each year.
==Transport== There is a bus service within Cornwall by a number of operators. The major operators in the Cornwall area are First South West and Hopleys Coaches.<ref>[http://www.cornwallpublictransport.info/bus_operators.asp Bus Operators.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018095932/http://www.cornwallpublictransport.info/bus_operators.asp |date=18 October 2012 }} Cornwall Public Transport. Retrieved 22 September 2012.</ref><ref>[http://www.cornwallpublictransport.info/bus_tickets.asp Bus tickets.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120624055625/http://www.cornwallpublictransport.info/bus_tickets.asp |date=24 June 2012 }} Cornwall Public Transport. Retrieved 22 September 2012.</ref> Service runs through the village of St Agnes and other towns.<ref>[http://www.cornwallpublictransport.info/pdf_tts/HOPLEYS_Service%20304.pdf Porthtowan to Truro Schedule.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141230193905/http://www.cornwallpublictransport.info/pdf_tts/HOPLEYS_Service%20304.pdf |date=30 December 2014 }} Cornwall Public Transport. Retrieved 22 September 2012.</ref><ref>[http://www.cornwallpublictransport.info/bus_maps.asp Bus maps.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120626013034/http://www.cornwallpublictransport.info/bus_maps.asp |date=26 June 2012 }} Cornwall Public Transport. Retrieved 22 September 2012.</ref> Rail service is offered out of Newquay railway station, Redruth railway station, Truro railway station and other western Cornwall municipalities, which is connected with bus service through the Ride Cornwall and Plusbus programs.<ref>[http://www.cornwallpublictransport.info/pdf_tts/18541247_a5_west_cornwall_guide.pdf West Cornwall Guide.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120524174410/http://www.cornwallpublictransport.info/pdf_tts/18541247_a5_west_cornwall_guide.pdf |date=24 May 2012 }} Cornwall Public Transport. Retrieved 22 September 2012.</ref>
Ferry service is available to the Isles of Scilly from Penzance; Padstow to Rock; and other locations.<ref>[http://www.cornwallpublictransport.info/pdf_tts/Ferries.pdf Ferries.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150608070553/http://www.cornwallpublictransport.info/pdf_tts/Ferries.pdf |date=8 June 2015 }} Cornwall Public Transport. Retrieved 22 September 2012.</ref> Air travel is available through Newquay Airport<ref>[http://www.newquaycornwallairport.com/ Main Page / Travel.] Newquay Cornwall Airport. Retrieved 22 September 2012.</ref> and private jets, charters and helicopters are served by Perranporth Airfield.<ref>[http://www.privatejetscharter.net/article/helicopter-flights-perranporth-airfield Helicopter Flights Perranporth Airfield.] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130221235257/http://www.privatejetscharter.net/article/helicopter-flights-perranporth-airfield |date=21 February 2013 }} Private Jets Charter. Retrieved 28 September 2012.</ref>
==In culture== * Porthtowan was the inspiration for several paintings by G.E. Treweek entitled: ''A Glimpse of the Sea, Porthtowan; A Sketch of Porthtowan; and Looking up the Valley, Porthtowan''.<ref>Royal Cornwall Polytechnic Society. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=kXUKAAAAIAAJ&pg=RA1-PA167 Annual report]''. 1892 [cited 29 September 2012]. p. 167.</ref>
==Notes== {{Reflist|group=nb}}
==References== {{reflist}}
==Further reading== {{Commons category|Porthtowan}} * Bob Acton. ''Around St. Agnes and Perranporth: Round Walks from Holywell to Porthtowan''. Landfall Publications; 1 April 1994. {{ISBN|978-1-873443-16-3}}. * Thomas Shaw. ''Foolish Dick and His Chapel: The Story of Porthtowan Methodism, 1796–1967''. T. Shaw; 1967*.
{{St Agnes Parish, Cornwall}} {{authority control}} {{Portal bar|Cornwall}}
Category:Villages in Cornwall Category:Beaches of Cornwall Category:Surfing locations in Cornwall Category:National Trust properties in Cornwall