When the Heather Blooms:
Chasing Sunset at John’s Engine House, Porthtowan
There’s a narrow sliver of time in the Cornish summer when the hills above Porthtowan erupt in purple — and if you’re lucky, the skies join in too. Recently I headed up to John’s Pumping Engine House, camera and drone in hand, chasing a sunset that was more maybe than definitely.
It’s the kind of shoot that keeps you on your toes. The forecast said cloud. The horizon looked like it might open. Or it might not. And honestly? That uncertainty made the whole evening feel even more alive.
Why John’s Engine House?
This old Engine House, nestled into the heather-covered hillside just inland from Porthtowan, is one of those places that feels like it’s watching the sky as much as you are.
The stack lines up almost perfectly with the setting sun during summer months, and when the light plays ball, the whole scene glows with a sort of dusty gold that photographers dream of.
Johns Pumping Engine House during Golden Hour in 2023.
But this time… well, you’ll have to watch the video to see if the light actually turned up.
The Gear I Used
Camera: Canon EOS R
Lens: 16–35mm L series (for those wide, sweeping foregrounds)
Filters: NiSi Circular Polariser to enhance the purple hues and tame any haze, NiSi 3 Stop Medium GND
Drone: DJI (used sparingly — the wind wasn’t entirely playing fair)
I also threw a time-lapse or two into the mix because the clouds had that broody, shifting energy that deserved to be captured.
Shooting in Uncertainty
This wasn’t one of those perfect evenings.
There was wind. There was cloud. There were moments where I genuinely considered packing it in.
But the thing about landscape photography — and especially shooting here in Cornwall — is that it’s never just about the result. It’s about showing up, being present, and seeing what happens when you do.
Some of my favourite frames from the night weren’t taken during the golden hour. They came just before it — when the clouds had softened the light into this painterly blue-purple wash over the heather. Subtle. Moody. Beautiful.
Final Images
I’ve included a few of my favourite stills below — let me know which one speaks to you most.
Final Thoughts:
Sunset didn’t show up in all its fiery glory.
But the heather did.
The engine house stood proud.
And for a couple of hours, I got to be alone with history, light, and possibility.
And in the end… isn’t that why we pick up the camera in the first place?
📍 Location Info
📌 John’s Engine House, Porthtowan
🎯 Best time to visit: Late July to early September for heather bloom
⏰ Ideal light: Golden hour (roughly 8:15–9:00pm during summer)
📷 Access: Park at the top of Porthtowan and follow the coast path inland