Season: winter
A high tide and a pale winter sun greeted me for this visit. Across the bay Gull Rock and the Nare Head were clearly visible, as was the beautiful Porthcurnick beach. Portscatho’s harbour, known as The Porth, is sheltered and picturesque, particularly on a high tide. If you walk along the harbour wall in the morning, the village is lit up by the early day sunshine, a fine sight to behold.
The pull of the sea.
A view from the harbour wall at Portscatho.
Season: summer
Torrential rain was falling in Portscatho on this occasion. It was mild, the tide was falling and a thick mist threw a blanket around the village in the morning. The small harbour held all of its inshore boats safe and seaweed was strewn on the revealed beach. These climatic vagaries make Cornwall interesting day-to-day, its micro climates giving one the impression of being on a boat at sea, proud against the elements, with the sea always near and the weather moving past quickly.
Simon’s affinity for the beach.
By the harbour at Portscatho on a rainy morning.
Season: autumn
It was a mild, misty morning in Portscatho, with Porthcurnick beach, the Nare Head and Gull Rock difficult to pick out. A short, easterly sea was breaking on the beach and the rising tide began to float the fishing boats in the small harbour. Renovations were starting on the many holiday lets here, but the shops were also open, serving the significant local presence in Portscatho.
How the sea frees Kerrie.
An easterly sea at Portscatho on a rising tide.
Season: spring
There was bright sunshine at Portscatho for this visit, with plenty of visitors about during the Easter holidays. The tide fell away, revealing Tattams beach and the small harbour. There are plenty of good shops and galleries to enjoy at this time of year in this thriving village.
Portscatho, as seen from the harbour beach.
With Nick and his family, reflecting on his Portscatho childhood.
Season: winter
This east facing fishing village on the Roseland Peninsula was very quiet during my December morning visit and I chatted to a visiting couple, who invited me into their holiday cottage. I was struck by a disparity between the old village and the rows of modern dwellings at the north end of the village, though occasional cob-built dwellings still remained from days of old. Portscatho is connected to the thriving village of Gerrans above and each village has a pub. The village also has art galleries, a cafe, a bric-a-brac shop and an excellent local store and deli, which incorporates a post office. With its picturesque setting, it’s easy to see why Portscatho is so popular with visitors and locals alike.
The beach through generations.
A clear distinction between old Portscatho and the new.
The beach here.
