St Eval parish, which includes Porthcothan, with its sandy beach, rocky coves and spectacular coastline, is particularly attractive to naturalists, archaelogists and geologists as well as to walkers and holidaymakers.
The parish is quietly rural with some small hamlets and two shops. The gorse-covered cliffs between Bedruthan and Porthcothan are arguably at their most beautiful in early summer when the turf is covered with wild flowers and clumps of thrift.
St Ervan Parish is off the beaten track but well sheltered from the Atlantic storms by the intervening parishes of St Merryn and St Eval; it shares a parish boundary with St Issey and has a lovely parish church. The parish footpaths are a great attraction for walkers and nature lovers who appreciate the plant life, meadow flowers, birds and animals that inhabit the local valleys. Rural bed and breakfast accommodation is available widely and the tranquil villages of Rumford and Penrose have a good selection of holiday cottages.