Cornish revolt as tourism chiefs say: Don’t visit Poldark beaches

IT is enough to make any Poldark fan hot under the collar. Tourism chiefs have told holidaymakers to keep away from two of the Cornish beaches used to film the BBC series – because they have become too popular.

The plea follows gridlock around Porthcurno, near Land’s End, and Kynance Cove on the Lizard peninsula, following a 20 per cent surge in visitors this summer. But local business owners say the ‘crazy’ advice will damage trade.

Spencer Green, 50, who owns Porthcurno Beach Cafe, said: ‘We are in the midst of Brexit and we are telling people “Don’t stay in your own country”.’ Mick Wilby, 67, a Porthcurno pub owner, said: ‘As a business person and for Cornwall on the whole, this is a year you pray for. We have lost the fishing, we have lost our farming, Cornwall is a holiday destination, that is its revenue.’

The advice came from Malcolm Bell, chief executive of Visit Cornwall after both spots became so overcrowded that the narrow winding approach roads became jammed with cars.

Mr Bell suggested Poldark fans could visit other locations used to film the series, which stars Aidan Turner. ‘His wonderful chest and thighs walking down the water is better advertising that we could ever hope to get. Poldark has been the catalyst,’ he said

‘There are actually lots of other beaches he is filmed on and we can point people to.’