Surfing and the coast
Portwrinkle in South Cornwall is a fairly exposed beach break that has unreliable waves. Winter is the favoured time of year for surfing here. Offshore winds are from the north. Waves just as likely from local windswells as from distant groundswells and the best swell direction is from the southwest. The beach break offers both left and right hand waves. Good surf at all stages of the tide. Often Crowded. Rocks are a hazard.
Surfing forecast
Stately homes and country houses
For the more culturally-minded, there are a number of beautiful stately homes within an hour’s drive, two of which are under 10 minutes away.
Antony House and Garden | By road: 10 minutes
Antony House is a beautiful early 18th-century mansion with a fine collection of paintings, furniture and textiles. The grounds, landscaped by Repton, sweep down towards the Lynher estuary and include formal gardens with topiary, a knot garden, modern sculptures and the National Collection of Daylilies. Antony House was also the shooting location for Disney and Tim Burton’s enchanting Alice In Wonderland.
Mount Edgecumbe | By road: 10 minutes
Mount Edgcumbe House is the former home of the Earls of Mount Edgcumbe. Set in Grade I Cornish gardens within 865 acres of country park on the Rame Peninsula, South East Cornwall.
Mount Edgcumbe House was first built in the 1500s and was restored after World War Two. It is jointly owned by Cornwall Council and Plymouth City Council and is one of the region’s most popular historic tourist destinations.
Port Eliot House & Gardens | By road: 10 minutes
Port Eliot has the rare distinction of being a Grade 1 listed house with a Grade 1 listed park and garden. Like most houses, Port Eliot has a front door and thereabouts the similarity ends. There are 11 staircases, 15 back doors and 82 chimneys. The roof covers half an acre and not once in living memory has it been completely watertight.
The house and gardens are open from Monday 13th March to Thursday 29th June 2017 (by guided tour until Easter Sunday; tours start at 2.15pm and 3.45pm). Gardens open 2-6pm. The house and gardens are open every day except Saturdays and the 2-5 June 2017. For more information visit their website below.
Cotehele House | By road: 30 minutes
Cotehele was the ancestral home to the Edgcumbe family for centuries. The Tudor house, perched high above the River Tamar, is decorated with tapestries, arms and armour, pewter, brass and old oak furniture. The interior tour has changed little over the years, although the furnishings were titivated as Cotehele continued to inspire its adoring owners.
Outside, explore the formally planted terraces, or lose yourself in the Valley Garden, which includes a medieval stewpond and dovecote and leads down to the river. Seek tranquillity in the Upper Garden or visit the two orchards planted with local apples and cherries.
Lanhydrock Castle | By road: 30 minutes
Lanhydrock is the perfect country house and estate, with the feel of a wealthy but unpretentious family home.
After a devastating fire in 1881 the Jacobean house was refurbished in high-Victorian style, with the best in country house design and planning and the latest mod cons.
Discover two sides of Victorian life: from the kitchens, nurseries and servants’ quarters, which offer a thrilling glimpse into life ‘below stairs’, to the luxurious family areas, elegant dining room and spacious bedrooms which reveal the comforts of ‘upstairs’ living.
Gardens
There are fantastic and inspiring gardens close by from the interesting commonplace to something much more exotic.
The Eden Project | By road: 45 minutes
The Eden Project contains artificial biomes boasting plants that are collected from all around the world. The project is located in a reclaimed Kaolinite pit, located 1¼ miles (2 km) from the town of St Blazey and 3 miles (4½ km) from the larger town of St Austell, Cornwall.
The complex is dominated by two huge enclosures consisting of adjoining domes that house thousands of plant species; each enclosure represents a natural biome. The first dome emulates a tropical environment, and the second, a Mediterranean environment. The Project is also home to The Eden Sessions, an outdoor live music arena.
The Lost Gardens of Heligan | By road: 1hr 15 min
The Lost Gardens of Heligan, near Mevagissey in Cornwall, are one of the most popular botanical gardens in the UK. The style of the gardens is typical of the nineteenth-century gardenesque style, with areas of different character and in different design styles.
Heligan, seat of the Tremayne family for more than 400 years, is one of the most mysterious estates in England. Read its wonderful story here.
More gardens in Cornwall
50 Glorious gardens to visit
An in-depth article with 50 gardens in Cornwall to visit during your stay. Recommended reading.
50 Glorious gardens (external link)
Walking
The South West Coastal Path is directly outside your cottage and meanders along the wonderful coastline. There are also several inland walks, ranging from a half-hour stroll to a two-hour romp. Find out more via our contact page.
Beaches
Portwrinkle boasts two beaches directly below the village – and a short 10-minute drive will bring you to Tregantle and Freathy Beach. Dog lovers: one of the beaches at Portwrinkle is dog-friendly all-year round.
Cornish Towns and Villages
Looe, Polperro, Cawsand, Kingsand, Polruan and Fowey (ferry from Polruan) are all within driving distance. These and many more waiting to be discovered are close by – and well worth a day trip.
Fishing Trips
Mackerel fishing, shark fishing, conger fishing trips and much more are all available and run from the popular fishing town, Looe. Most can be booked on the day at the boat.
Over the water into Devon
Barbican, Plymouth
Portwrinkle is only half an hour away from Plymouth, home to the Nationally famous Theatre Royal.
A short hop to Cawsand or Cremyll brings you to the foot Ferry, where you can take a trip across Plymouth Sound to The Barbican for a really nice day out. Vehicles can use the Torpoint Ferry if you need to bring a car.
The Barbican Fish Market is the oldest and most interesting part of Plymouth with a plethora of great pubs and restaurants. The National Marine Aquarium features the largest shark tank in Europe and is well worth a visit. Plymouth Hoe is also within walking distance of The Barbican.
Cinema complex
Vue Plymouth is a 15 screen cinema situated within the Barbican Leisure complex. The large cinema can seat up to 3,315 guests and all screens benefit from the latest audio and visual technology. The Sony 4K digital cinema experience delivers a new level of picture quality from every seat, spectacular detail even on the largest screens, and world-leading 3D images. With four times the megapixels of 2K and HD, cinema goers will be amazed by the detail and fluidity of images. Sony Digital 4K Digital screens give cinema goers an experience they simply can’t get at home. It is also surrounded by a large indoor tenpin bowling arena and a range of restaurants and bars and is the perfect venue for a fantastic night out. Free parking is available to all visitors of the complex.
