Perranporth

Cornwall Information & Accommodation Guide

Perranporth Beach

Perranporth is a small town with a big reputation. Situated on Cornwall's North coast Perranporth has a splendid beach of golden sand which is 3 miles in length.

Surfing is very popular here and the town becomes a haven for visiting surfers during many seasons of the year.

There are opportunites for a range of sporting activites very closeby including golf.

There is a large car park with toilet facilities direcly in front of the beach and other car parking within the town.

The name derives from the name of the Saint. Please see below.

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Perranporth in History

Perranporth's history is a mixture of mining and its association with the Patron Saint of Cornwall, St Piran.

The cliffs on the left side of the beach are full of the relics of the mining which took place here. Many holes cut into the rock which are known in Cornwall as adits are visible. But care should be taken in trying to explore the adits and the right equipment is essential for any exploration.

St Piran, who is celebrated in Cornwall annually on St Piran's day, March 5th, had his oratory here in the sand dunes known as Penhale Sands above the beach.

When St Piran's Oratory was overwhelmed by sand parishioners needed a new place of worship so a new church was built, located slightly inland from the Oratory. In time, this church was also overcome by sand. The ruins of this later church, dedicated to St Piran, are still visible and attract numerous visitors.
The new parish church is the one you can see today on the main road between Penhallow and Goonhavern.

For decades, the Oratory was buried in the sands to protect it but during 2014, excavations started to uncover St Piran's Oratory and during November 2014 the site was opened for two days for members of the public to visit and view the work that has been undertaken so far. We have some photographs from the Open Weekend at St Piran's Oratory.

We will add more information from the ongoing excavation as we receive it and for the whole story please visit the St Piran Trust website listed below. Donations towards the excavation and preservation of the Oratory are welcomed and you can do this by buying items from the St Piran Trust website.

A cross marks the site of the original Oratory and many visitors make their pilgrimage to the site of this most famous of Celtic saints.

Perranporth has a beautiful annual display of Christmas Lights which are switched on during the first weekend of December.

Where to stay in Perranporth

General Information

Local facilities include restaurants, pubs,cafe-bars, a post office, mini-markets and a variety of beach shops including those for surfing equipment hire.

In addition there are several hotels and guest houses. For holiday accommodation in and around Perranporth see Perranporth accommodation listings below or for accommodation near Perranporth visit our Cornwall Accommodation

Perranporth Tourist Information Centre

Westcott House
St Pirans Road
Perranporth
Cornwall
TR6 0BH

Tel: +44 (0)1872 575254

Websites of interest for Perranporth and the parish of Perranzabuloe

St Piran Trust

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Do you have information of a historic or community interest about Perranporth which you would like featured on this page please email us with your information.

Location:
On the north coast of Cornwall. Perranporth is easily accessible from the A30 via the A3075 and the B3284. It is well signposted from the Chiverton Cross roundabout.

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