Port Quin

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Port Quin
Cornwall
Port Quin - geograph.org.uk - 106821.jpg
Port Quin
Location
Grid reference: SW971805
Location: 50°35’20"N, 4°52’2"W
Data
Post town: Port Isaac
Postcode: PL29
Dialling code: 01208
Local Government
Council: Cornwall
Parliamentary
constituency:
North Cornwall

Port Quin is a small cove and hamlet between Port Isaac and Polzeath on the Atlantic coast of north Cornwall. Its name is from the Cornish language, Porth Gwynn meaning "white cove".

The hamlet and the coastline is mainly owned by the National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty; the Trust rents out several of the stone cottages as self-catering holiday accommodation.

The hamlet itself is situated at the end of a narrow rocky inlet in Port Quin Bay which extends from Kellan Head on the north-east side of the inlet to The Rumps.

The South West Coast Path closely follows the coastline of the inlet. Port Quin is popular with walkers and there is a small car park on the lane which leads from Port Quin to the village of Trelights.

History and notable buildings

Port Quin was once a thriving fishing village on a par with Port Isaac, but in the great storm of 1698 the entire fishing fleet was destroyed, none of the fishermen of Port Quin returned alive, leaving some 24 widows.[1] The families that were left all moved from Port Quin to Port Isaac, leaving the place deserted.

In February 1700 the East Indiaman Thornton was wrecked at Port Quin.[2]

Doyden Castle

On the south-west side of the inlet is Doyden Point, on which is situated Doyden Castle, a castellated folly built about 1830 by Samuel Symons.[3][4]

See also

Port Quin from the shore

References

  1. BBC 4, Documentary, Shanties and Sea Songs by Gareth Malone, 7 May 2010
  2. Lettens, Jan. "Thornton (+1700)". wrecksite. http://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?139271. Retrieved 4 May 2012. 
  3. National Trust Cottages (Doyden Castle)
  4. Headley, Gwyn; Meulenkamp, Wim (16 Jun 1999). Follies, Grottoes and Garden Buildings. Aurum Press Ltd. pp. 160. ISBN 978-1-85410-625-4.