Panorama showing Portreath. The picture was taken from the beach in Portreath Bay at low tide. Much of the village is built on the hills around the bay.

Portreath Bay - Cornwall visitor guide showing a virtual tour of 'Portreath Bay' linked to an interactive map with local and travel information. 360° panoramas from Cornwall.

Portreath is a small village on the north coast of Cornwall, close to the town of Redruth. The beach here is very popular with surfers and body boarding at high tide when the swells are channeled in along the old harbour wall. The surf front is locally known as the 'Vortex'. The beach is closed to dogs during the tourist season and has a lifeguard.

The village behind the beach contains various shops, cafés and holiday accommodation (Bed & Breakfast and hotels), making Portreath a great base from which to explore the surrounding area.

Portreath has a long history with mining, a harbour was built here to import coal and export copper and tin. Copper ore was brought in from Chacewater for shipping to Wales. The loading ramp still exists, as do some of the tram lines connecting Portreath with the surrounding mines. Some of these have been converted into cycle paths.

This part of Cornwall is very popular for walking, and a coastal path heads along the coast in both directions from Portreath. To the south is the path from Portreath to Gwithian, which passes over the Reskajeage Downs with Hell's Mouth and other dramatic scenes en route. To the north the South West Coast Path heads for Porth Towan and St Agnes.

Just inland from Portreath is an ancient settlement site next to a disused quarry by Nance Woods. A stream runs up this small valley to Redruth passing old tin works on the way.

Walk: South West Coastal Path from Gwithian or St Agnes.
Drive: Portreath is on the B3300 about 5 miles from Redruth. It is 6 miles from Gwithian on the B3301. There is car parking at the back of the beach and a local bus stop.