The port evolved from the fishing village of West Polmear, and changed it's name after the local landowner Charles Rashleigh.
Designed by John Smeaton the quaysides and docks were built to facilitate the transport of copper from nearby mines but its main function became the export of china clay from the region's clay pits.
The harbour is often used as a film set, it was featured in the Poldark series.
The harbour is operated by Square Sail, a company that owns and sails a small fleet of tall ships, including Kaskelot and Phoenix. Today the Phoenix is moored in the bay, waiting for high tide before entering the harbour.
As the water level in the dock drops to that of the sea in the outer harbour, the dock gate is lowered.
There is now a tight turn through the outer harbour into the inner dockside.
The Phoenix squeezes through the entrance to the outer harbour.
A long rope thrown from the quayside is attached to her bow.
This allows the tall ship to swing on her own axis so she can enter the inner dock.
