Port Gaverne
Encyclopedia
Port Gaverne is a hamlet
on the north coast of Cornwall
, in England, about half a mile east of Port Isaac
. Although recognised as an independent hamlet by the Cornish, many tourists consider it as part of the larger village of Port Isaac, partially due to the reason it is home to only four businesses: two hotels, a campsite and a small seasonal beach shop.
Until the nineteenth century, Port Gaverne was a small port similar to many others on the north coast of Cornwall. Its principal trade was the export of slate from the large quarry at Delabole
, five miles to the north-east. Coal was imported and other local produce was exported. When the North Cornwall Railway
(absorbed by the London & South Western Railway) line to Wadebridge opened in the 1890s, transport of Delabole slate switched to rail and thus Port Gaverne lost most of its trade.
The beach is maintained by the National Trust
and Port Gaverne Beach Association.
Hamlet (place)
A hamlet is usually a rural settlement which is too small to be considered a village, though sometimes the word is used for a different sort of community. Historically, when a hamlet became large enough to justify building a church, it was then classified as a village...
on the north coast of Cornwall
Cornwall
Cornwall is a unitary authority and ceremonial county of England, within the United Kingdom. It is bordered to the north and west by the Celtic Sea, to the south by the English Channel, and to the east by the county of Devon, over the River Tamar. Cornwall has a population of , and covers an area of...
, in England, about half a mile east of Port Isaac
Port Isaac
Port Isaac is a small and picturesque fishing village on the Atlantic Coast of North Cornwall, United Kingdom. The nearest towns are Wadebridge and Camelford, both ten miles away in opposite directions. Port Gaverne, commonly mistaken to be part of Port Isaac, is a hamlet that has its own...
. Although recognised as an independent hamlet by the Cornish, many tourists consider it as part of the larger village of Port Isaac, partially due to the reason it is home to only four businesses: two hotels, a campsite and a small seasonal beach shop.
Until the nineteenth century, Port Gaverne was a small port similar to many others on the north coast of Cornwall. Its principal trade was the export of slate from the large quarry at Delabole
Delabole
Delabole is a large village in north Cornwall, England, UK. It is situated approximately two miles west of Camelford.The village of Delabole came into existence in the 20th century; it is named after the Delabole Quarry. There were three hamlets: Pengelly, Medrose and Rockhead...
, five miles to the north-east. Coal was imported and other local produce was exported. When the North Cornwall Railway
North Cornwall Railway
The North Cornwall Railway was a railway line running from Halwill in Devon to Padstow in Cornwall via Launceston, Camelford and Wadebridge, a distance of 49 miles 67 chains. Opened in the last decade of the nineteenth century, it was part of a drive by the London and South Western Railway to...
(absorbed by the London & South Western Railway) line to Wadebridge opened in the 1890s, transport of Delabole slate switched to rail and thus Port Gaverne lost most of its trade.
The beach is maintained by the National Trust
National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty
The National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty, usually known as the National Trust, is a conservation organisation in England, Wales and Northern Ireland...
and Port Gaverne Beach Association.