Porth Chapel beach is idyllically set below tall granite cliffs, with sands of broken shells dipping to the sea – it’s just a short walk from St Levan, tucked between Porthcurno and Porthgwarra and quite near to Land’s End. It is just a perfect spot for an afternoon away form the tourist’s hot spots of Cornwall for a few hours of peace and near solitude.
With soft summer days still before us this September, we still have time to discover some of the secret beaches and coves of West Cornwall and this week we visited Port Chapel beach.
Porth Chapel Beach
The first sight of the beach came framed by a fissure in the cliff and it was quite breathtaking. The glimpse of the golden sand and pounding turquoise waves rolling in to the shore was just lovely and full of promise for the afternoon ahead. I had to concentrate then on the steep path down. Naturally I soon regretted my slippery plimsolls for the last rock climb down to the sands! But onece there it was oh but it was so worth it!
Harmony of sea and sands
We sat, enveloped in the late summer sunshine, mesmerised by the surging waves – the Sunday papers forgotten beside us. There was a sure harmony of sea and sands at Porth Chapel. A harmony as each approaching wave with hypnotic, relentless rhythm reigned for moment of beautiful translucence, before subsiding to melt into the undulating sands. Each wave brought opaque drifts of vapour with the taste of the salt in pin prick droplets on our skin. While out to sea the sea birds dived in sure practised precision into the foam.
Couples would occasionally clamber down and mostly stood quietly in awe of this haven while dogs who would bustle over to investigate our towels for tasty titbits. But more people passed on the coastal footpath above us
I’m told it is possible to swim but not that day I think and then only for sure strong swimmers!
Finding Porth Chapel Beach TR19 6JT
We took the main A30 to Land’ End before turning off on to the B3283. The road was surprisingly busy even in September! We sat for a while in a traffic jam, as some drivers misjudged the compromises needed for passing places. But nothing could dampen our spirits with a picnic packed and beach towels at the ready!
Follow the narrow lanes until…
We soon moved on again in one of those little convoys that form in Cornwall. Very soon some of the queue turned left towards Logan Rock – I wonder if a Sunday roast lunch was calling them down to the pub there?
We continued though in the convoy of cars and watched a second batch turn off at Porthcurno for the beautiful beach and theatre there.
Our destination was up the hill though, a step winding climb with a spectacular glimpse down to Porthcurno beach. Watch for the sharp right turn into the car park beside the beautifully tended St Levan church.
Park inthe meadow behind St Levan church (£2)
Lucy Land Rover was in the lap of luxury in the immaculately mown meadow, for the afternoon in the spacious parking at St Levan church.
The walk to the beach was an unexpected extra pleasure, along a path to a well trodden Granite Bridge and on through the trees. Finally we felt the wind tug and buffet us as we emerged from the sheltered path on to the cliff top. Here we took a little detour over a modern bridge, to avoid an eroded area.
We finally packed our things to leave and passed an excited spaniel digging furiously in the sands and his owner said “He could dig all day!” as I glanced back, the dog was still digging. Time for somebody else’s turn to enjoy the beach!
Porth Chapel a short history
Porth Chapel takes it name from what is thought to be the earliest chapel in Cornwall. It was founded near to the beach by St Selevan and it probably dates from the eighth century. The chapel lays just below the holy or sacred well reached by steps -excavated in the 1930’s, some of which have been incorporated into the cliff path. The well is still even now, sometimes used for baptisms. Water from the well is said to cure Eye diseases and toothache with the greatest benefit coming from sleeping there overnight!
Cream Teas
Well not quite at the beach but our German guests enjoyed visiting a house in St levan for a Cream Tea. appropriately named “Porth Chapel cream teas” Other than that, the nearest facilities are at Porthcurno and The Minack Theatre.
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