Portloe, Cornwall: A Guide to the Roseland's Prettiest Fishing Village
Portloe on Cornwall's Roseland Peninsula: the harbour, coast-path walks, nearby St Mawes, Caerhays and Heligan, where to eat and how to get there.
Tucked into a steep cove on Cornwall's south coast, Portloe is the kind of village that looks too perfect to be real: whitewashed and slate cottages, fishing boats pulled up on a tiny slipway and green headlands dropping into the sea. It's no surprise that film and TV crews love it. This guide covers what to do in and around Portloe, the best walks and how to plan a visit to the Roseland Peninsula.
Portloe at a glance
- Location: Roseland Peninsula, south Cornwall, between Mevagissey and St Mawes.
- Nearest city: Truro, about 25 minutes by car.
- Best for: couples, walkers and anyone who loves quiet, unspoilt villages.
- Best time: May, June and September for good weather and fewer crowds.
In the village
1. The harbour and cove
Portloe's tiny harbour still has working crab and lobster boats. Sit on the rocks to watch the boats come in, explore the rock pools at low tide and look out for seals off the headland.
2. Eating and drinking
The village has a small hotel restaurant overlooking the cove, a traditional pub and seasonal tearooms. Expect local crab, lobster and fish – booking ahead is wise in summer.
Walks on the coast path
3. Portloe to Portholland
The South West Coast Path runs right through the village. Heading east, a dramatic but strenuous stretch climbs over headlands to the tiny coves of Portholland and on towards Caerhays – allow two to three hours one way.
4. Portloe to Nare Head
Heading west, the path leads to Nare Head, a National Trust headland with sweeping views over Gerrans Bay and, on clear days, towards the Lizard. Look for seabirds, wildflowers in spring and seals below.
Around the Roseland
5. St Mawes and St Just in Roseland
St Mawes is a sailing village with a Tudor castle, waterside pubs and a ferry to Falmouth. Nearby, the church of St Just in Roseland sits in a subtropical garden on a creek – one of Cornwall's most beautiful churchyards.
6. Caerhays and the Lost Gardens of Heligan
Caerhays Castle has famous spring gardens of camellias, magnolias and rhododendrons, with a beach below. A little further, the Lost Gardens of Heligan near Mevagissey were rediscovered and restored in the 1990s and are a wonderful day out.
7. Veryan and the King Harry Ferry
The nearby village of Veryan is known for its unusual round houses. To cross to Falmouth and the Lizard, take the King Harry Ferry, a chain ferry across the wooded River Fal.
Practical tips
- Driving: lanes are narrow and steep; park at the top of the village and walk down.
- Public transport: buses are limited – a car makes exploring easier.
- Where to stay: in Portloe itself, in holiday cottages on the Roseland, or in St Mawes or Truro.
- More Cornwall: for surfing, coasteering and wild swimming, see our active Cornwall guide.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Portloe?
Portloe is a small fishing village on the Roseland Peninsula on Cornwall's south coast, between Mevagissey and St Mawes, about 25 minutes' drive from Truro.
Is there parking in Portloe?
There's a small car park at the top of the village. The lanes are very narrow, so avoid driving down to the harbour and arrive early in summer.
Has Portloe been used as a film location?
Yes, its picturesque cove has appeared in several British TV dramas and films, which is part of why it's called a scene-stealer.
What is there to do near Portloe?
Walk the South West Coast Path, visit St Mawes and its castle, the gardens at Caerhays and the Lost Gardens of Heligan, and take the King Harry Ferry across the Fal.
Keep reading
Ice Baths, Surfing and Coasteering: An Active Getaway in Cornwall
Learn to surf at Fistral, go coasteering along the cliffs, try cold-water swimming and ice baths, and walk the South West Coast Path – an active break in Cornwall.
9 of the UK's Best Seaside Towns and Staycation Spots
Dawlish, Seahouses, Brodick on Arran, Hayle, Saundersfoot and more – nine of Britain's best seaside and countryside towns for a staycation, and what to do in each.
Castle Combe and the Prettiest Villages of the Cotswolds
Castle Combe, Bibury, Bourton-on-the-Water, the Slaughters, Lacock and Broadway – how to visit the Cotswolds' most beautiful villages, with tips for avoiding the crowds.
Strolling the Ancient Hillforts of Southern England
Walk the Iron Age hillforts of southern England – Maiden Castle, Old Sarum, Cadbury Castle, Uffington, Cissbury Ring and more – with family-friendly routes and tips.