Perranporth

Porthperan

    Three miles of golden sands

    Situated on the rugged north Cornish coast, Perranporth is approximately eight miles west of Truro and eight miles south of Newquay, located within easy reach of the A30 and all Cornwall’s attractions.

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    Perran Sands on St Piran's Day
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    Perranporth Beach

    Saint Piran

    Perranporth has a rich and fascinating history: according to legend, St Piran, the patron saint of Cornwall, was cast into the sea from Ireland tied to a millstone and washed up on these sandy shores. He built a Christian oratory in the dunes and the story goes that his first disciples were a badger, a fox and a bear! The ruins of this oratory, or the ‘lost church, dating from the 6th century are still preserved in the sand dunes to this day.

    It is also said that St Piran discovered tin, which went on to become the backbone of Cornish industry (in the 19th century Perranporth had two working mines), and St Piran’s Day is celebrated every 5th March when hundreds of people make a pilgrimage to Perranporth with their black and white flags.

    Surf's Up!

    Known for its waves, Perranporth attracts surfers from far and wide, but it is a little known fact that the UK’s first surfboards originated here. Soon after the end of World War 1, soldiers returning home from the Western front told of South African surfers they had met and swapped stories with.

    Perranporth’s local undertaker and builder, Tom Tremewan was inspired, and so designed and made the UK’s first bellyboards/surfboards, made out of coffin lids!

    The Perranzabuloe museum, just off Perranporth’s high street, has a wealth of information on the village’s social and industrial heritage, with displays on mining, fishing, costume, farming and of course, surfing.

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    Perranporth

    Beach Life

    Perranporth is best known for its glorious beach, and rightly so. Three miles of soft golden sand provide more than enough space to accommodate dog walkers, kite flyers and picnicking families. Dogs are allowed all year round, although during July and August, they are required to be on a lead between 10am and 5pm on the main beach area, but there are still the sand dunes and the remainder of the beach after flat rocks where they can be left off their leads.

    Children love the rockpools, caves and the seawater swimming pool built into the back of iconic Chapel Rock.

    Perranporth is renowned for good waves, and has a number of surf schools and surf hire shops. The beach is monitored by lifeguards during the main school holidays, and daily from May to September.

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    Perranporth

    Plan your trip

    Everything you need to know to plan your perfect trip to Perranporth

    • To get to Perranporth, follow the M5 to Exeter, and join the A30 and follow to Carland Cross roundabout. Just past Carland Cross, take the B3285 to Goonhavern, and follow signs for Perranporth.

      Wheal Leisure car park offers long stay car parking.

    • The nearest National Express stop is Truro or Newquay, from where busses run to Perranporth.

      Perranporth is served by served by busses that run along coast between Newquay and Portreath

    • Truro is the best mainline train station where local bus connections can be picked up for Perranporth. Alternatively you could travel to Newquay and get a bus from there., but this requires changing trains at Par,

    • With a car park located directly by the beach, this can be a very popular destination. However, the large expanse of beach will accommodate a large number of people, and of course you can also explore the local coastal path and sand dunes to find your own piece of heaven.

    • With over two miles of beach, you shouldn't have a problem finding somewhere to swim. Lifeguards patrol the main beach from mid April to October (dates may vary) and there's always the seawater swimming pool if you don't fancy the actual sea,

    • Dogs are currently allowed on Perranporth Beach all year around. However, they are required to be on a lead in the main beach area from 10am to 5pm during July and August.

    • There is a free public toilet located at the south end of Perranporth Beach, next to the Car Park on the Promenade.

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