Home to arguably Cornwall’s most iconic building, the Bickford-Smith Institute (no, it isn’t a church) Porthleven has a thriving residential community and a bustling, seasonal tourist trade.

Porthleven is host to the Food Festival each Spring, has a year round selection of award winning restaurants, a sprinkling of fascinating and unique shops and small businesses, and of course, a beach. Yet the place still retains its character with its small working fishing fleet and the numerous (Grade 2 listed) historic buildings around the Harbour and Dock area. There is so much more to Porthleven than may initially meet the eye.

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We will begin our tour at the start of the Pier, by the Bickford Smith Institute. Working our way slowly around the harbour and up onto the cliff top wrestling fields, Breageside, we will talk about Porthleven past and present and look at many of the Harbourside buildings and note their history and significance. With tales of new inventions,  shipwrecks, smugglers, heroic deeds and tragedies there is plenty within Porthleven’s story to keep you entertained.

Who was William Bickford Smith?

Who is the World WarII Flying Ace with a local connection?

Are the Harbourside Cannons real?

When was the harbour built?

What are the three lasting consequences of the ship wrecking of HMS Anson?