KEY POINTS:
One look at the picture of a seaside paradise on the "official website" of Porthemmet Beach would be sufficient to convince visitors of its claim to be the finest stretch of sand in Cornwall.
In front of azure skies and aquamarine waters, some of the lucky few who already know about this hidden enclave can be seen frolicking in the waves before heading off on the Stug, a converted Cornish fishing trawler, to gaze at a reef fed by warm Gulf Stream waters.
It is little wonder that holidaymakers have been flocking down the A30 in search of Porthemmet. It is even less wonder they turn home bewildered.
Because neither the road signs, nor the reef nor Porthemmet itself exist. Closer inspection of the digitally altered picture on the website reveals coconut palms in the distance, turquoise seas and a tropics-style cocktail bar.
Jonty Haywood, a Cambridge University graduate formerly of Cornwall, currently teaching English in Thailand, has emerged as the author of the hoax website which, for the past six months, has been bamboozling those outside Cornwall who do not know that "emmet" is a disparaging Cornish term for tourists.
Haywood goes to some lengths to ensure the discomfort of anyone falling for his spoof. Visitors are warned: "It should be noted that there is a private joke in Cornwall whereby locals will pretend not to know where Porthemmet Beach is. Don't be fooled, every Cornish person knows about this beach, they are just having some fun. Tell them you are an 'emmet' (someone that loves Cornwall)."
- Independent
