Porthoustock Beach
Porthoustock beach is located on the more sheltered eastern side of the Lizard peninsula a couple of miles from the village of St Keverne.
Towards high tide the beach consists of a neat crescent of flat pebbles with quarry workings at either end. With cars parked along the back of the beach it possibly isn't what most people would describe as the archetypal fishing cove - but that's what it is. Pulled up on the beach are a collection of small fishing boats that work the plentiful waters here.
As the tide drops out it reveals an area of sand, the sort which is perfect for making sand castles!
Perhaps the most distinctive feature of Porthoustock is the enormous concrete silo at the southern end of the beach; now disused, this was used to store aggregate from the still working quarry. At the northern end of the beach is a quay used by the quarry to load aggregate onto boats.
Porthoustock is a popular spot for diving as it is located close to the infamous Manacles reef and all the shipwrecks associated with it.
Postcode
TR12 6QW
OS grid ref.
SW 8075 2180
Facilities
Besides the toilets there are no facilities at Porthoustock
Parking
There is a car park on the beach. Actually on the beach! You can park up on the pebbles, but take care not to block the fishing boats which are launched from here.
Porthoustock Beach Reviews (4)
Atmospheric is an understatement
Fantastic, tranquil and a lovely burger
Mr M
Apr 13th 2021Free to park and an amazing burger from the family run Thirsty Buffalo. Had the Buffalo burger and was totally impressed. Will be heading back.
Lovely quiet place
One of the above comments state “there isn’t any toilets” but if the visitor wasn’t deemed blind then they are totally inaccurate!!!! There is a clean and maintained toilet facility in the old RNLI launch shed! This just proves how incorrect information can be spread without seeing this beautiful place for yourself. My family of 4 boys frequently visit here with a picnic/BBQ and play on the beautiful kept football pitch. We collect pebbles and paint them on the benches. This little beach is perfect for fishing, especially Mackerel!
Don’t make your own judgment on this place without visiting it for yourself and exploring the area. It really is a stunning place.
Ask the man
Apr 04th 2022An antidote to the typical Cornish Cove and beach. Feels rather industrial with the brooding concrete bunker on one side of the beach and a quarry on the other. The beach is mainly pebbled with a strip of dark grey sand at lower tide and a row of boats and a collection of semi derelict huts tucked into the beach cliffs. There is a rather run down and uncared for feeling to the place, but it does have a gritty, realistic presence and is worth a visit. The car parking area is on the beach itself and there appears to be plenty of spaces - donations are requested. There is a scattering of houses at the head of the beach overlooking the sea, but does not appear to be any toilets or cafe or any other signs of tourism (which may appeal to some) although our visit was out of season.