A three-mile stretch of soft, golden sand defines Perranporth. Rock pools and caves are part of the beach, along with a seawater swimming pool behind Chapel Rock. The town is known for good waves; there are surf schools and shops where you can hire surfing equipment.

Beach and surfing

Perranporth Surf School offers daily open group lessons for complete beginners through to surfers with lower-intermediate experience. If you plan to take lessons, check the course details directly with the provider, as its information may change.

Lifeguards patrol the beach during the main school holidays and daily from May to September. If lifeguard cover is important to your beach plans, check the seasonal information before visiting.

Dunes and St Piran

From nearby car parks at Perran Sands or Perranporth, it takes about 20 to 30 minutes to walk through the dunes to St Piran’s Oratory. Access conditions through the dunes can vary; check the latest information before visiting.

St Piran’s Oratory is an early Christian chapel at the supposed site where the Irish saint St Piran founded a Christian centre of worship in the 6th or 7th century. The dunes around the chapel support marram grass and summer-flowering plants such as sea holly, lady’s bedstraw and sea milkwort. They are also a habitat for ground-nesting skylarks and meadow pipits.

Coastal path and mining history

The route from Perranporth to St Agnes is a moderate 3.6-mile (5.8 km) walk. The section of the South West Coast Path between the towns passes Cligga Head, an area heavily shaped by mining. Mine adits are still visible in the cliff there. The route therefore combines coastal walking with a tangible reminder of the area’s mining history.

Local history and getting there

Near the High Street, Perranzabuloe Museum has exhibitions on Perranporth’s social and industrial heritage. Topics include mining, fishing, traditional dress, agriculture and surfing. St Piran’s Day is celebrated on 5 March; hundreds of people make a pilgrimage to Perranporth carrying black-and-white flags. Two dates are relevant when planning your visit: St Piran’s Day is celebrated on 5 March; lifeguard cover is provided daily from May to September and during the main school holidays.

Buses serve Perranporth along the coast between Newquay and Portreath. Check the route and timetable before travelling. You can choose between different focuses when planning your trip: the beach and surfing, the dunes and their chapel, or the moderate coastal route to St Agnes.

Discover more destinations: Penrose, Quethiock, Porthcurno, Lansallos, Gwennap, Budock Water, Saint Dominick, Looe

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