Portscatho

Portscatho is a small fishing village on the eastern side of the Roseland, about 12 miles from Truro by road. It faces east across Gerrans Bay and has a sheltered sandy beach and a small working harbour where local boats still land crab and lobster. The village has a pub (the Plume of Feathers), a village shop, a cafe, and a post office - enough amenities to make a self-sufficient base for a week’s holiday without needing to drive far.

The coast path runs north through Gerrans village (about a mile) and on to St Mawes (about 4 miles), and south through Porthbeor Beach and Portholland to Portloe (about 5 miles). The Roseland Heritage Coast covers this section of the south Cornish coast, taking in a series of small coves and headlands that see relatively little foot traffic compared with the north coast beaches. Percuil River, which forms the western edge of the Roseland, is accessible by kayak or small boat from Portscatho.

The village itself is compact and quiet out of season. The beach is good for swimming at high tide. Holiday cottages in Portscatho are in demand because of the village’s combination of beach access and genuine community character; bookings here often extend over several years by the same returning families.

Where to Stay

Most places to stay in Portscatho are self-catering cottages. Kelsey is a three-bedroom terraced cottage on Victoria Terrace sleeping six, with an open fire and an enclosed rear garden with a BBQ. Larger groups can look at The Cowshed, which sleeps eight in four bedrooms around an open-plan kitchen and sitting room with a woodburning stove, or Rockpool in Gerrans, which sleeps seven across the main house and a self-contained annexe.