Buzby View Lodge B&B Porthtowan is located on Cornwall's picturesque North coast centrally located to larger town amenities but pleasantly under developed in today's modern world, midway between St Agnes and Portreath with views of St Ives Bay together with it's lighthouse and harbour to the south, St Agnes Head, Trevaunance Cove and Chapel Porth to the north, the renowned South West Way coastal footpath passes through this beautiflil area of cliffs and adjoining land some of which is owned by The National Trust |
 Porthtowan Post Office Porthtowans cliff walks are superb, with special area's set aside for picnic's There are a magnificent array of wild flowers together with many species of birds to be seen, also the occasional sighting of basking sharks and dolphins in the warmer summer months, Larger tanker and freight carrying vessels are often visible on the horizon going into and coming from the Port of Bristol. |
 The beach in Winter Porthtowan and St Agnes are renowned for their history of mining during the industrial revolution, unfortunately no longer a viable enterprise but many of the old engine houses remain and are in fact now being restored both by the National Trust and private individuals. One of the more remarkable mining projects undertaken was the 'Navvy Pit' still to be seen today on the way to Mount Hawke, a pit or excavation an acre in area and 150 ft deep was abandoned in 1843 after the multitudes of tiny veinlets of copper ran out. Tywarnhale Mine was important for at least 150 years, and is still used for training students of mining, Wheal Ellen with its unusual castellated stack stands guard over the valley leading down to the sea. Wheal Lushington engine house standing almost on the beach was never used as intended owing to the economical climate, no shaft was sunk no engine fitted, and was eventually used as a private dwelling and still is to this day. |
 The Commodore Inn St Agnes harbour many attempts have been made to build a successlul structure that would withstand the winter gales The first in 1632 through to the forth in 1793 which lasted until 1915, when in July during bad weather a stone was washed out, this was not replaced, and in October the wall was breached, the deterioration continued through to 1924, leaving only the pile of granite block that can be seen to -day. During the same period four schooners were built on St Agnes Beach the first in 1873 the last in 1877, which were used for the transportation of the minerals loaded from St Agnes harbour to various other ports. The forth and last 'Lady Agnes' launched 6th September 1877 and registered at Hayle. She was last known to be active in the 1940's and was eventually broken up in 1948 having lain derelict through the Second World War. |
 Winter Scene Many visitors and locals make good use of the services provided by the smaller bus companies on local routes, organised tours ,attraction visits, and shopping trips, are available during the summer months. Transportation of yesteryear is still in evidence as a lot of the old rail or tramways are now used as pathways and bridleways which it is now possible to follow on foot bicycle or horse The rail system used at the turn of the century reached into what on today's terms seems almost inaccessible bays and inlets ,built on and running up cliff faces that a person has difficulty in climbing, the tin and copper ore had to be moved from inland mines to harbour's such as St Agnes and Porthtreath to be shipped all over the world If the tin was 'washed'(mined) on a beach that did not have sufficient depth of water to allow a boat to come in, it had to be hauled in wagon's by man, horse, steam, or water power up the cliffs. Then loaded onto the rail system and transported back down to the harbours. Various Days throughout the summer season are devoted to commemorating the achievements of the people and engineers involved in such projects, one of the more notable being Trevithick day to mark his invention of the steam locomotive. Fete's ,open, and special day's together with Lifeboat Day's not only provide funds for the organisations and charities but also a wealth of entertainment for visitors and Porthtowan's possible more recent claim to fame is the filming of part of the television series 'Wycliffe 'at a local hotel located on the beach, this together with other series (Blue Peter, Poldark) all making use of the rugged and beautitul countryside must confirm it as some of the best available. The area can safely be described as a rural farming community without the problems that seem to be blighting a lot of other areas. It is also very well provided for with a good standard of eateries ranging from wayside cafes to Cordon-bleu restaurants. Valerie and David Parkinson |