PERRANPORTH BEACH - North Coast of Cornwall
View looking West
Lying on the north Cornish coast, Perranporth must be Cornwall's 2nd most famous beach after Fistral beach in Newquay, famed amongst surfers. It stretches for three miles and the sands are second to none and bring in tourists year after year to sample its delights. The town is not large by most standards but is a good size for this part of Cornwall and the shops and eateries offer excellent service and an eclectic mix of goods on offer to suit all tastes. We first stayed here many years ago and spent the weekend in the 'Atlantic View Hotel', situated just above the beach near the main entrance to the sands whilst we visited my sister who had a store in Perranporth.
The beach and views are stunning and worthy of high praise indeed and this of course makes it a very popular place for tourists and locals alike. To the left of the beach, you can find rock pools and caves formed by wave action which are very interesting to walk around if you have the time, and to the right, you have miles of sandy beach to walk along with a backdrop of the heathland behind and the cliffs stretching out into the sea. It is a very busy beach for watersports and top users are the surfers who are always around, and if not on the waves you can find them in the bars around the beach.
Looking south to the sea
Perranporth Photo gallery: Click on photo to enlarge. Use side arrows to browse
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 designed and made the UK’s first bellyboards/surfboards, made out of coffin lids!
The village is laid out well and has plenty of parking and more importantly, it has the feel of a seaside town full of souvenirs, beach items and clothing, and lots of eateries. Lots of watering holes abound and the Green Parrot was one of my favourites at the time. As with all other tourists places, it gets very busy in the summer months and everywhere is packed to the gills because it is so loved as a destination point. Also, there is more open during the main visitor months to cater for the influx of tourists.
Map of Perranporth
Surfs up
Surfer having fun
The beach stretches for miles