Portwrinkle Local Area Information

About the Fish Cellars

This was a derelict building in Portwrinkle which was a 17th century Pilchard processing plant. Pilchards are the reason that Portwrinkle exists. The village was set up by the local landowners, the Carew-Pole family in order to take advantage of the pilchard fisheries. The shoals of pilchard would be spotted by a look-out on the hill above the village who would guide the boats into the shoal by semaphore. Pilchards were salted and pressed in the cellar and the oil which drained off was an important by-product. The fish could then be boxed and sent away for sale. In the mid 19th century with the pilchard fisheries beginning to decline, local fisherman bought the fishery from the landowner by forming a co-operative which they called "The Poor Man's Endeavour", quite a provocative name for the time. This continued until the First World War. The last factory producing traditionally processed Cornish pilchards operated in Newlyn and closed in October 2005.

There is a lot of useful local information on the parish website.

For dog owners there are lots of walks and beaches.

The beach below the Jolly Roger is dog friendly all year whilst the harbour beach is dog friendly out of the high season. You can, however, access the dog friendly beach from the harbour ramp.

Close by is Tregantle which is a superb beach, particularly at low tide. Tregantle Fort is owned by the MOD and at certain times this beach is closed. The noticeboard opposite the entrance to Fish Cellars gives details of all closures. Look out for the red flags.

There are several beaches across the cliff road at Whitsand including Sharrow and Freathy.

Mount Edgecumbe park, is another great place for all the family and has beautiful walks, cafes and outdoor activities.

If you park at the Maker Church at the top of the hill before descending to Cremyll you even have the delight of free parking.

The Finnygook Inn and Edgecombe Arms are dog friendly all year and do good food.

Eating Out

The Finnygook Inn is a fifteen minute walk back up the lane.  It is dog friendly and serves excellent food and drink. 

The View Restaurant is about three miles away along the cliff road above Whitsand Bay.  This is an excellent restaurant specialising in fresh locally caught fish and ideal for that special occasion. 

The Blue Plate at Downderry (Fine dining)

The Carew Arms in Anthony (good quality Pub / Restaurant)

Summink Different in Downderry (Gluten Free / Vegan Cafe)

Golf

There is a great 18 hole golf course right on our doorstep, The Whitsand Bay Golf Club,  and you can easily walk along with your clubs and save the car.

Within short driving distance are the championship courses at St Mellion, and the Looe Golf Club.  

Walking

We are situated right on the South West Coast Path. There are fantastic walks with breathtaking scenery all around Cornwall and if you like an active holiday where better could you be. 

There are lots of great walks to explore on I Walk Cornwall. 

Other Attractions

No trip to Cornwall can be made without considering The Eden Project and Lost Gardens of Helligan near St Austell. Both within a 45 minute drive.

Just across the water is the National Maritime Aquarium in Plymouth, a great day out for all the family. Leave the car and take the bus to Plymouth for a leisurely day. Alternatively, try the little summer ferry from Cawsand Beach which goes across the Plymouth Sound straight to the Barbican and the Aquarium. Yet another option is to take the Cremyll Ferry from the Edgecumbe Arms, another dog friendly pub, across to Plymouth and either walk in Via the Hoe or catch the bus.

The whole of South Devon and Dartmoor is also easily accessible via the Tamar Bridge. 

National Trust

Cornwall is full of beautiful National Trust properties with fabulous gardens.  Anthony House and Cotehele are nearby and just a little further afield, amongst others, is Lanhydrock House famous for it's Camelias and Rhododendrons. The mild climate and warm Atlantic Gulf Stream make Cornwall home to amazing early displays of spring flowering plants including the Cornish lanes packed with primroses around Easter.  

Saltram House and grounds, on the edge of Plymouth and just off the A38 at Marsh Mills, is another worthwhile place to visit.

Shopping

The nearest shop is the Community Shop in Crafthole for newspapers, and general groceries plus the Post Office. It is best to order newspapers to guarantee getting your choice. Tel 01503 230361

There are several shops in Millbrook including a CO-OP in the main street.

There is a Sainsbury’s in Torpoint on the main road through the town to the ferry.Tel 01752 611000

The nearest Waitrose is at Saltash. Turn on to the Callington road at the roundabout and the shop is a few hundred yards on the right.

Tel 01752 849067

Further afield is Plymouth and all the usual national chain shops.

Liskeard has a large Morrisons and Aldi.

The local Cornish out of town family shopping experience is Trago Mills between Liskeard and Bodmin.