Porthtowan is a small coastal village on the north coast of Cornwall, England, sitting above a long sandy beach that faces the Atlantic Ocean. The beach is popular with surfers, rockpoolers and walkers, and the South West Coast Path runs through the cliffs above, giving wide views along the rugged coastline.
The village grew up around 19th‑century tin and copper mining and you can still spot old engine houses and mining remains that link it to the wider Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape. Today its economy leans heavily on tourism and outdoor activities, with a tight‑knit local community, cafés and pubs serving visitors drawn by the surf culture and coastal scenery.
Postcode districts covering Porthtowan
Most populated places nearby
- Redruth 3.3 miles5.3 km
- Falmouth 11.6 miles18.7 km
- St. Austell 20.7 miles33.4 km
- Truro 7.8 miles12.6 km
- Camborne 5.3 miles8.6 km
- Newquay 11.8 miles19 km
- Penzance 17.5 miles28.2 km
- Helston 12.3 miles19.8 km
Neighbouring places
- Mount Hawke Built-up area 1.4 miles2.2 km
- Illogan & Portreath Ward 2.2 miles3.5 km
- Redruth North Ward 2.3 miles3.8 km
- Scorrier and Wheal Rose Built-up area 2.4 miles3.9 km
- St. Agnes Built-up area 2.5 miles4.1 km
- Blackwater Built-up area 2.7 miles4.3 km
- Portreath Built-up area 2.7 miles4.4 km
- Illogan Built-up area 2.8 miles4.6 km
- Redruth Built-up area 3.3 miles5.3 km
- Redruth Central, Carharrack & St. Day Ward 3.4 miles5.5 km
- Pool & Tehidy Ward 3.8 miles6.2 km
- St. Day Built-up area 3.8 miles6.2 km
Example postcodes in Porthtowan
TR4 8AD, TR4 8HD, TR4 8GY, TR4 8AB, TR4 8UB, TR4 8AP, TR4 8AZ, TR4 8FJ, TR4 8FF … See all
Transport links
- Newquay Cornwall Airport 15.4 miles24.7 km
- Exeter International Airport 86.1 miles138.5 km
- Redruth Railway Station 3.4 miles5.5 km
- Camborne Railway Station 5.6 miles9 km
Hotels near Porthtowan Ad
- Beacon Country House Hotel 3 1.9 miles3.1 km
- Portreath Arms 2.6 miles4.2 km
- Penventon Park Hotel 4 3.5 miles5.6 km
- Rose in Vale Country House Hotel 4 3.8 miles6.2 km
- Inn for All Seasons 2.5 miles4 km
- Townhouse Rooms 4 8.3 miles13.3 km
- St George's Hotel 4.9 miles7.9 km
- The Valley Cottages 5 7.3 miles11.7 km
- Newperran Holiday Park 7.7 miles12.4 km
- The Alverton 4 8.7 miles14 km
Local points of interest
- Chapel Porth Beach Beach 1.3 miles2.2 km
- Perranporth Beach Beach 5.9 miles9.5 km
- Perranzabuloe Museum Museum 5.9 miles9.5 km
- Holywell Bay Beach Beach 8.7 miles14 km
- Poly Joke Beach Beach 9.5 miles15.4 km
- Pencalenick Estate 9.9 miles15.9 km
- Crantock Beach Beach 10 miles16.2 km
- Fistral Beach Beach 11.1 miles17.9 km
- Newquay Heritage Archive & Museum Museum 11.3 miles18.2 km
- Trenance Gardens Gardens 11.5 miles18.5 km
- Lane Theatre Theatre 11.5 miles18.6 km
- Huer's Hut Historic site 11.6 miles18.7 km