Porthtowan on the North Cornwall coast is a popular beach with both holidaymakers and surfers. Like most beaches in Cornwall, it's on the South West coast path and there are spectacular cliff-top walks in both directions -North to St Agnes and beyond and to Portreath, Godrevy and St Ives further South West.

The beach is pictured at high tide on a busy August day with good surfing conditions. At low tide you can take a fifteen-minute walk along the beach to neighbouring Chapel Porth.

Blue Bar - one of the most celebrated bar-restaurants in Cornwall - overlooks Porthtowan beach. The beach is lifeguarded in summer and there are shops that sell and hire beach and surf gear and a large pay-and-display car park very close to the beach.