About Us

Meet your Guide

Meet your guide

I first visited Porthleven in 1985 and am now lucky enough to have my home here. Though my wife’s family hail from just around the corner, on the north coast of Cornwall, we have always had a special attraction to and affection for Porthleven.

It’s difficult to define what it is about Cornwall and Porthleven in particular that for me, makes it so uniquely different to anywhere else.  Is it, the beauty of the rugged coastline, the unpredictable weather in the constantly changing seasons, or the moods of the sea, from tranquil, still as a mill pond one day, to a wild and roaring beast the next?  Perhaps it’s the rich cultural history of fishing, farming and mining, or is it the magic of the myths and legends, the retained traditions, the hustle and bustle of the busy summertime as a contrast to the quiet, shorter winter days, or is it on a more personal level, simply a memory of the last childhood holiday that we had together, here, as a family?

I think a its all of that and yet there is something more. A feeling, a warmth, a comfort, a character to the place and a homeliness that wraps itself around me. Here, I’m relaxed, more at peace, and more at home. Living  right here in Porthleven, I genuinely can’t think of anywhere I’d rather be. To quote my favourite Cornish song “This is my Cornwall” and this is my home.

The many, many, visitors who come to Porthleven each year are testament to the beauty and character of the town and to all that it has to offer. I’d like to share with you some of what I’ve learned about Porthleven, its sites and buildings, it’s history and heritage, its character and its continuously unfolding story.  I’d be delighted if you would join me for a Porthleven Town Talk.

David

Sue F
Sue F
2024-04-25
Can’t recommend this talk enough. As already mentioned you feel as if a friend is taking you for a walk and sharing so much information with you. We have regularly visited Porthleven but David pointed out things we had never noticed and so much more. He explained and confirmed things we had wondered about. Really worth doing and am sure everyone in the party will enjoy it.
Nev I
Nev I
2024-03-08
An must-do for any trip to Porthleven David is incredibly knowledgeable and his tour is fascinating!! The tour is very immersive and Porthleven has a completely different feel to it once you’ve heard all the history and stories of those who lived here in the past. This tour should be an essential part of your trip. David is so friendly too. Thank you so much 😊
Natalie B
Natalie B
2024-03-08
Fun, professional, informative This is an exceptional 'tour'. Feels more Like a friend taking you for a walk. It feels easy and fluid but it is underpinned with an extraordinary amount of knowledge and endless genuine enthusiasm . David gave us an insight to the history of Porthleven with great respect, even honour to its people past and present. Fun, professional, informative. I highly recommend.
Emily A
Emily A
2024-03-08
Short walk. Long history. If you’re going to stay in Porthleven for any amount of time, it is worth it to take this tour, simply to familiarize yourself with the village and gain a deeper appreciation for its history and culture. David is extremely personable and passionate about Porthleven. He gave a very comprehensive tour and answered all our questions.
Thomas S
Thomas S
2024-03-08
A deeper appreciation of Porthleven and Cornwall. David is a knowledgeable and passionate guide and storyteller. His enthusiasm never flagged and he knows how to situate his stories in the long history of Cornwall from the saints of the 5th century through to the present day. On our two trips to Porthleven he made such a difference to our understanding of what we were seeing. Thank you, David!
CandPTravellers
CandPTravellers
2023-12-29
Brilliant walking tour of Porthleven We were amazed at the extent of David's knowledge about Porthleven a village he clearly loves with a passion. This tour was fascinating from start to finish, David held our attention with historic facts, local anecdotes and personal insight. Through his tours, David is keeping Porthleven history alive. We strongly recommend this tour for anyone interested in Porthleven. Thank you David
Robert H
Robert H
2023-12-05
4 Hours Very Well Spent Despite it being bitterly cold David made the 4 hour tour (that flew by) with his knowledge. Great value for money but this tour and the one on the 12th Dec are free with any donations going to ‘The Foodbank’. Would recommend this tour to anyone that would like to learn more history and facts about this amazing place.
GloucestershireJess
GloucestershireJess
2023-10-24
Fascinating afternoon Highly recommended. Really interesting to find out more about the history of the village and scratch beneath the surface of what you usually see as a visitor
Passport23137999933
Passport23137999933
2023-10-12
Porthleven then and now An excellent tour. David was very knowledgeable and informative. We have strong family links to Porthleven and he was able to entertain us with stories of important historical facts and personal insights into days gone by in this lovely harbour town.
Pam J
Pam J
2023-09-27
Fantastic experience The guided walk with David was really interesting and entertaining. He was good company and the pace of the tour was just right. It has made our stay in Porthleven even more enjoyable !