Monday 13 July 2020
Polkerris, Cornwall the Fortified Harbour with an Inn on the Beach
A bit of a dull day but we thought we'd have a look around Polkerris, a cove on Cornwall's south coast, as we hadn't visited there this year.
It was once known as Pollkerys, which may have been from the old Cornish word Porth meaning a harbour of haven. The kerris bit is from another Cornish word meaning to fortify or enclose - so it's a fortified harbour - well, was once upon a time.
To reach the harbour and beach you pass the Rashleigh Inn.
Many years back we often came here, with friends, for a meal or a drink. On a Friday night there would be singing of some of the old traditional Cornish songs, always enjoyable - but life moves on, children and other things.
That's the harbour wall in the photo below.
The harbour was created in the 18th century. I love old walls, rocks and stones - that's why there are a couple of photos of the harbour wall. Imagine all those who have walked along them in the 1700s. What stories they could tell us.
Oh, and a third photo of part of the wall with a canon embedded . There are several of these, they are thought to be from the Napoleonic era. So, once upon a time, this was truly a fortified harbour as described previously.
A section of the cliffs behind the harbour wall.
Moving on, just a few boats in the harbour - the tide was retreating while on our visit.
Looking across to the Rashleigh Inn and other food outlets
A few boats, perhaps waiting for the tide to turn.
Some people like to hide away on the small beach whereas ...
… others seem to congregate at the front of the Inn.
The Rashleigh Inn has an outside terrace with seats, perfect on a summer's evening.
Also see:
Photos of the Magical Polkerris Harbour, Cornwall on a Perfect Sunshine Day
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I used to live in St Austell and I am sure I remember reading that the walled area over to the right of the harbour was a pilchard palace in its day, used to pack pilchards in barrels in the days when the fish were plentiful.
ReplyDeleteYes, in the 1800s Polkerris was a fishing port - over 200 people where employed to pack and cure the pilchards. Thanks.
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