The Parish of St Levan lies only 7 miles from Penzance.

This area is bordered by cliffs and the sea, leading to a number of picturesque coves, beaches and small harbours.

The points of main interest are Porthcurno, Logan Rock, St Levan, Porthgwarra and Penberth.

Porthgwarra

Porthgwarra is a small hamlet directly on the coast. There is a small sandy beach within a cove, reached via a slipway or a tunnel carved through the granite rock.

Porthgwarra has adequate facilities, a car park, small cafe / shop, public toilets and a public telephone.

After leaving the B3315, much of the road is only wide enough for one vehicle, but there are overtaking points.

Tunnel To The Beach 

Porthwarra

Slipway Leading To The Beach

The Cove at Porthgwarra

Caves At The Top of The Slipway

St Levan

St Levan’s Stone

Within the church of St Levan is St Levan’s stone. The legend goes that this was used by the saint as a seat. He is suppose to have split the stone in two with his staff and made a prophecy. That when a mounted and loaded a pack horse could ride through the split rock, the world would end.

Holy Well

There is a pre-Christian holy well at St Levan. As with many holy wells in Cornwall its water is reputed to have healing powers and is still used in the Church for baptisms. It can be reached by a flight of granite steps.

Logan Rock

Logan Rock is a huge boulder that can be rocked by a single person. In 1824 a band of sailors rocked it so much, that they dislodged it, preventing it from rocking. At much expense they were forced to put it back in place. Logan Rock is part of a prehistory Promontory Fort, Treryn Dinas.

Logan Rock

Promontory Fort at Logan Rock

Penberth Cove

Penberth is a small, quiet, fishing cove owned by the National Trust. Of interest is an old capstart wheel, which was once used to pull the fishing boats up the granite slipway. It is not now used, instead it has been replaced by an electric winch.

There are only basic facilities, public toilets, public telephone plus minimal parking. There is now a ban on dogs in the actual cove, that is to say on the slipway and immediate area, but of course dogs can go on the coast path which has now been rerouted to keep them away from the slip area. This is for public health reasons as fresh fish is landed on the slipway.

Porthcurno

Porthcurno is a small village lying in a valley, only four miles from Land’s End. It has an outstanding beach that looks very tropical; with sand comprised of shell fragments and a clearblue sea.

This small village has adequate facilities; public bar, cafe, public toilets, telephone plus a Post Office and General Stores. There is a large car park only a short walk from the beach. During the summer period there are no dogs allowed on the beach.

Located in Porthcurno are two places of interest, The Museum of Submarine Telegraphy and the Minack Theatre.

Porthcurno Beach