Porthleven is the most southerly port in the country. It had a humble beginning as a small hamlet where local fishermen and miners working at the nearby tin, copper, lead and silver mines resided. As the harbour is at the base of a natural valley known as Methleigh valley, the land is split into two 'halves', Breageside towards Rinsey and Breage and Sithneyside towards mullion. The village itself also extends back towards Helston across areas known as: The Moors, Torleven and Boslan. The land of the Sithneyside area of the harbour was originally part of the then vaster Penrose estate, the last of the true members of the Penrose family being John Penrose who died in the mid 1700's.
In 1811 King George II passed an act of parliament for the construction of the harbour at the core of the village. A total of £8,500 was paid for the 11 acres of land acquired from Methleigh manor for the land around Breageside and for the 11 acres of land in Sithneyside from the Penrose estate. Before construction commenced, the work was estimated to cost £60,000 (£1.8 million in today's prices) and was estimated to take a total of five years. Ten years after the suggested deadline, three further acts of parliament to force completion of work and at nearly four times the original cost - the harbour was completed. However, it wasn't until 1876 when it appeared as it is today - when the inner harbour walls, crane and wooden baulks where fitted to offer better protection for the boats within the inner harbour during rough weather. During the building of the harbour 70 men had to move 400,000 tons of gravel and sand by hand using wheelbarrows to create the protective breakwaters on the outside of the harbour.
Today over 1400 full time residents live within the area. It is a tight knit, friendly and welcoming community with a high sense of pride and belonging.
The coordinates for parking, which is in Vicarage road, are N50 05.259, W005 18.899. It is a fairly quiet road and parking is usually accessible at some point along it's length. It may be busier on Sunday mornings due to the proximity to the church. From here walk down through the gate into the churchyard to the church
Part 1:- St Bartholemews Church N50 05.200, W005 18.979 B= The date the church was built was 1B91.
Out from church, turn right down main street, turn left at the chemist
Part 2:- Salt Cellar Steps N50 05.245, W005 18.960 C= The total number of steps you climb =C0.
Turn right at top of steps, up hill to The Atlantic Inn
Part 3:- Atlantic Inn (nice beer) N50 05.245, W005 18.960 D= The year Christopher St John Sprigg stayed is 193D.
At the junction turn down the hill straight across Cliff Road, and through path past post box and down steps.
Part 4:- Old Chapel N50 04.873, W005 18.821 E= 1E90 - 1820
Turn around, and with sea on left walk along the road, down hill, towards institute.
Part 5:- N50 04.924, W005 18.974 You should be standing next to a large sign at the top of the slipway - F = The number of Small white squares containing flags, in the yellow portion of the board at bottom LHS of sign..
Part 6 50 yds RHS, Guy Gibson Plaque G= 1G18 - 1G44
Walk around Institute along the outer harbour past The Harbour Inn, to the Harbour lamp
Part 7:- Harbour Head Lamp N50 05.115, W005 18.973 H= The number of similar lamps = 1H.
Walk across harbour head, and turn left towards the lime kiln
Look left as you continue on and
Part 9:- Cannons J= Total number of cannons guarding the harbour.
Walk past the ship inn (nice beer) continue up hill towards the final
Final Cache is located at:
N:- 50 0D.(F-C)JB
W:- 005 1G.(H-E)DH