Porth-en-alls House

‘Harbour Under the Cliff’

Construction on the main House of the Porth-en-alls estate began in 1911, but was interrupted by World War I. Work resumed during 191820, though the full-scale granitefaced building, with its Rittersaal jutting over the sea-kissed rocks, was never realised – instead, just the west wing stands today.

Architect Philip Tilden brought in a host of joiners, masons and blacksmiths to work on the house, with its carved panelled doors, frames and floors. At his instigation, the entire project was undertaken in a spirit of cooperation, similar to the medieval guild system, whereby the architect ‘must take off his top hat’ and ‘set to work in an apron with the other workmen’.