Cornwall boasts a hidden treasure which genuinely appears to have been preserved in time.

Surrounded by stunning scenery and brimming with authentic Cornish character, this fishing village in South Cornwall is regarded as one of the area’s most exceptional destinations.

Described by Secrets of Cornwall as “a great secret frozen in time”, this tiny harbour village is magnificently positioned at the base of a steep and imposing valley which opens onto the beautiful Veryan Bay. Regarded as the jewel in the crown of Cornwall’s Roseland Peninsula, this coastal community offers quintessentially Cornish panoramas, yet remarkably without the typical bustling tourist masses.

The late Poet Laureate Sir John Betjeman – famously credited with rescuing St Pancras Station from demolition during the 1960s – once characterised this small hamlet as “one of the least spoiled and most impressive of Cornish fishing villages”, and it’s fair to say Portloe has thoroughly justified this praise.

The village’s name originates from the Cornish ‘Porth Logh’, meaning ‘cove pool’ – an apt description reflecting its picturesque setting within a cove encircled by steep hillsides. This naturally protected location secured its position as a thriving pilchard fishing harbour throughout the 17th and 18th centuries.

In fact, until the 20th century, more than 50 fishing vessels operated from the village’s sheltered cove harbour, a figure which has now declined to just two. These remaining boats continue their work, catching lobster and crab which is then delivered to the village’s two establishments – The Lugger and The Ship Inn.

Recognised as one of Cornwall’s most picturesque villages, Portloe is a genuine hidden treasure, untouched by the march of time and contemporary development, reports Cornwall Live.

The dramatic valleys surrounding the village have ensured Portloe’s protection from urban expansion throughout the years, leaving the village and its structures virtually unchanged since their original construction during the 17th and 18th centuries.

As with much of Cornwall, Portloe’s history is intertwined with smuggling, with French brandy being the primary illicit cargo brought through the village as locals attempted to sustain the hamlet’s declining fishing industry.

Famous connections

Portloe offers a genuine retreat from Cornwall’s summer throngs, providing simply a charming historic harbour and a modest beach which reveals a narrow strip of sand at low tide – its picture-perfect settings remain undisturbed by tourist bustle.

The village’s pristine shores have also established it as a sought-after filming destination throughout the years, notably featuring in Forever England (1935) with John Mills, Treasure Island (1949), The Camomile Lawn (1991), and more latterly in Richard Curtis’ romantic comedy hit About Time (2013), the BBC’s Wild West television production, and Irish Jam (2006).

Things to do in the picturesque seaside village

Visitors would be doing themselves a disservice if they overlooked Portloe’s two most celebrated venues – The Lugger hotel and The Ship Inn.

Positioned directly atop the harbour slipway, The Lugger offers diners the opportunity to savour freshly landed lobster, crab and fish whilst enjoying unparalleled vistas of the Cornish coastline.

Of considerable historical importance to Portloe, The Lugger previously served as a refuge for smugglers, with its landlord famously meeting his end at the gallows during the 18th century for trafficking French brandy.

Those seeking a more valley-oriented outlook and an authentic pub ambience can venture to the cherished Ship Inn, which originated as a 17th century fisherman’s dwelling and remains adorned with nautical artefacts to this day.

Offering delicious food, The Ship Inn has built its reputation on fresh seafood whilst also catering to those favouring more traditional pub classics.

A glowing Tripadvisor review of this stunning village reads: “One of those hidden treasures that we love. Tucked away and not easy to find, but so well worth the trip. 

“There is no beach to speak of, this is still very much a fishing village. One hotel, one pub, lots of fancy pants second homes and a handful of old fishing boats plying their trade. A great place to start a section of the coast path also. Or just sit and be, and let the day drift by.”

Another delighted traveller remarked about Portloe: “Lovely, timeless location, where they still winch small fishing boats up on the beach. The only other place I know of like this is Cadgwith Cove on the Lizard peninsula. Simple and unspoiled – thankfully not inundated with tourists like Polperro. There are beautiful clifftop walks to enjoy, or you can just sit and listen to the waves lapping on the shore.”

Beyond dining, drinking and soaking up the atmosphere whilst being treated to extraordinary coastal panoramas, there’s precious little else demanding your attention in this captivating Cornish fishing hamlet – and quite honestly, we struggle to imagine a more perfect way to whilst away the hours during a well-earned break.