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🌊 What Is the Mermaid Pool at Porthtowan?

The “Mermaid Pool” is actually a tidal sea pool tucked into the rocky cliffs on the eastern side of Porthtowan Beach.
It’s formed by natural rock walls but has a concrete dam built across part of it, so when the tide goes out, seawater stays trapped and creates a calm swimming pool.
The pool has a sandy bottom, making it more pleasant for swimming than some purely rocky rockpools.

The pool was constructed around 1908.
It was built by Francis Beringer, a local businessman, after he received permission from the Duchy of Cornwall.
The permission included an agreement: Beringer would pay 1 shilling per year to the Duchy of Cornwall’s land steward.
To build it, miners (or former miners) were used — they used explosives to move large boulders at the base of the cliff so that the dam could be formed.
The pool still exists today, though some sources suggest it may leak slightly now — historic photos show that it used to hold water more fully.
Local memories report that the pool once had “seaweed and eels brushing against your legs,” though more likely the “eels” were kelp fronds.

The pool is only safely accessible around low tide.
Originally, there were steps from the cliff path down to the pool — but those have become unsafe due to erosion and rock falls, so they’re not reliable anymore.
The recommended route today is to approach from the north side at low tide, walking across the rocks (with good footwear).
Scrambling over barnacle-covered rock is required, so caution is needed, especially with children or in rough conditions.

The pool is considered one of Cornwall’s hidden swimming gems, beloved by wild swimmers.
It has a nostalgic, “secret pool” feel: people love that it’s tucked away and not immediately obvious.
Its construction reflects Cornish mining heritage — using miners and explosives to shape the pool gives it a very authentic, local-industrial story.
Because of its name, “Mermaid Pool,” there’s a touch of whimsy or romance — though there’s no strong folkloric legend of an actual mermaid tied to this specific pool (unlike some Cornish mermaid myths).

Check tide times carefully — plan your visit for around low tide.
Wear sturdy, non-slip shoes for navigating the rocky path.
Be cautious: some parts are slippery and sharp; not ideal for very young children without supervision.
Because the pool may not hold as much water as it once did, it’s a good idea to check local wild swimming blogs or recent photos to confirm it’s swimmable.
Consider bringing swim shoes or a wetsuit — the water, though sheltered, will feel cold.