Traditional Cornish Cottage
Old Church Cottage is a traditionally built granite Cornish cottage located in the small fishing village of Porthleven on the South Western tip of Cornwall in England. It was built about 1840 as a one of four in a terrace of cottages near to the church, school and harbour to house the workers for a large local estate.
The cottage is a compact mid-terrace house comprising of three/four bedrooms and a bathroom upstairs, a shower downstairs.
About the location
Porthleven was traditionally a fishing village and fishing is still an important part of the village culture. An excellent description of Porthleven and some delightful photographs of Porthleven and the surrounding area can be found on www.helstonhistory.co.uk . It is a coastal village with a population of about 5000. Porthleven was also the home to many tin miners and Cornwall exported miners to many parts of the world. It is said that if there is a deep hole in the ground, you’ll be sure to find a Cornishman at the bottom of it. Consequently, scattered around the locality are many old mine workings.
Porthleven is situated on Mounts Bay which is also a world heritage site having in it St Michael’s Mount, an ancient island fortress and abbey. Porthleven has some delightful restaurants and is close to the Minack Theatre, an open air theatre on the cliffs at Porthcurnow that stages Shakespeare and other popular plays and not far from the world famous Eden Project. (www.edenproject.com).
The beautiful coastal walks, surf beaches and warm summer weather means that Porthleven receives many thousands of visitors each year, visiting for reasons as diverse as the famous Food Festival, fishing, surfing, walking or just relaxing.
Porthleven itself, has a very strong identity and the people of Porthleven are wonderfully friendly and welcoming to strangers owing to their connections with “cousin Jacks” in foreign lands. We can offer plenty of history, lovely beaches, a small fishing village, Cornish pasties, and a safe time.
Type of swap
- Home Exchange
Conditions of exchange
- Non smokers only
- No pets allowed
- Children welcome
- No small children
Porthleven (HE44648)
Cornwall, England
- 3 bed (sleeps 5) 2 bath
Preferred destinations
- Canada
- British Columbia
- Vancouver Island
- Open to offers

