Village A - Z: Cornish Gem

One of Cornwall's most picturesque and unspoilt coastal villages, Portloe sits in the lee of dark echoing cliffs on the western flank of Veryan Bay, 13 miles south-west of Truro. Looking at the narrow harbour entrance, it is hard to imagine how a successful fishery was ever run from here, but Portloe once supported a small drift fleet and a pilchard fishery, and trading ketches landed and loaded goods on the beach. A few small fishing boats still operate from Portloe, but nowadays the tiny port is best known as a chic second-home venue for celebrities such as Tessa Dahl, and the site of Richard and Sheryl Young's celebrated Lugger Hotel, formerly an inn with a reputation as a haunt of smugglers. Most of the stone cottages and houses previously lived in by fishermen or coastguards have been converted to holiday homes which change hands at ever-more mind-boggling prices. Unusually, Jonathan Cunliffe of Cornish agents Miller Countrywide (01872 274211) has two adjoining houses for sale high on the hill overlooking Portloe Cove. Grade II-listed Cliff Garden has three reception rooms, three double bedrooms, two bathrooms and a delightful garden: the guide price is £750,000. The tiny Blue House next door has a living room/kitchen, two bedrooms, a shower room and a sun terrace, and is on the market at £285,000.