Learn to surf when you rent a holiday cottage or holiday rental home in Porthcothan, Cornwall

Porthcothan is a coastal village between Newquay and Padstow in North Cornwall. It is in the parish of St Eval and Porthcothan Bay is popular with surfers, although some do not consider the surf as good as Perranporth, Polzeath, Newquay and Bude. This is one of the most scenic stretches of coastline to be found anywhere and it is an oasis of natural beauty. Other coastal villages nearby include Harlyn, Constantine Bay, Trevone, Treyarnon, Carnewas and Bedruthan Steps.

Places to holiday in Porthcothan, Cornwall

Porthcothan is a popular holiday destination not only for surfers, but it is also ideal for walking, cycling, fishing, horse riding, nature and birdwatching holidays or just to take it easy and soak in the views. The cliffs and headland to the north of Porthcothan belong to the National Trust and have stunning views of Trevone Lighthouse and Trevose Head.

In the summer months Porthcothan is filled with holidaymakers who travel from Scotland and all over England to stay in accommodation and to enjoy the beaches, bay and the rural farm surroundings. As self-catering is ever becoming more popular as a cheap holiday, many are renting out a cottage as an alternative to caravans or a tents for visitors to the area.

Holiday cottages allow you more freedom to explore the area without worrying about what time you need to return to your hotel and they are convenient for the beach and the rest of Cornwall. Porthcothan is a dog friendly beach and some cottages allow dogs.

Things to do in Porthcothan

Visitors wanting to learn to surf can do so at the Waves Surf School in St Merryn, which also has a very good surf shop called The Pit. For the golfer Merlin Golf and Country Club is set on a heath land hilltop with amazing views over the sea ,and Trevose Golf Club has three courses. Both are easy to reach from a holiday cottage in Porthcothan. The sheltered beach is ideal for families and Old MacDonald's Farm is fun for all the family with lots of animals to see and touch.

The eleven-mile coastal walk from your holiday cottage to Newquay is fairly easy and you can stop off for a bite to eat and drink at Mawgan Porth or Watergate Bay. Wadebridge Sports and Leisure provides a great environment for kids to learn new skills and participate in indoor football and there are many activities such as treasure hunts, trampoline and bouncy castle. The Cornish Shire Horse Centre at Trelow and Animal Playland at Rumford offer more family fun. Nearby Padstow has a museum and the historic house, Prideaux Place.

As well as the tropical Biomes at the Eden project, Cornwall has a number of beautiful gardens to visit including the Lost Gardens of Heligan, Pencarrow, Trevarno, Trebah and the National Trust Gardens of Glendurgan, Cotehele, Trelissick, Trerice, Tregwainton and Lanhydrock.

Weather in Porthcothan

Porthcothan has a mild maritime climate, but it can be unpredictable. When the wind blows off the sea it will feel much cooler.

Travel to Porthcothan

Plymouth and Newquay airports serve Porthcothan, as does the ferry at Plymouth. The nearest branch line railway stations are Newquay and St Columb Road. Western Greyhound buses run from Newquay to Padstow and stop at Porthcothan.