Porthchapel Beach
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Porthchapel Beach | |
|---|---|
 Porthchapel from Pedn-men-an-Mere | |
 Interactive map of Porthchapel Beach | |
| Coordinates: 50°02′22″N 5°39′30″W / 50.03940°N 5.65829°W | |
| Location | Cornwall |
Porthchapel Beach is a secluded beach located on the south coast of the Penwith Peninsula in Cornwall, England. Situated near the village of St Levan, it is renowned for its white shell-sand, turquoise waters, and rugged granite cliffs with the The Independant naming it as the sixth most beautiful beach in Cornwall in 2025.[1]
The beach is tucked between the more famous Porthcurno to the east and Porthgwarra to the west.[2] Part of the Penwith Heritage Coast, the beach is surrounded by granite cliffs and is much quiter than the surrounding beaches due to its limited accessibility.[3]
The beach's fauna includes grey seals, dolphins, and various seabirds such as fulmars and shags.[4]
History
St Levan’s Holy Well is located above the beach and is still used for baptisms in the parish church. A site which is believed to be the site of a small medieval chapel. The excavation of granite stone steps in 1931 by Reverend H T Valentine and Dr Vernon Favell have dated it back to at least the eight century which wouild make it the oldest Christian chapel in Cornwall.[5][6] It is also the chapel that the beach is named after.[7]
Annual pilgrimages are made to the beach.[4] The beach is also popular for surfers, however there is no lifeguard cover.[8]
