Perranporth

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.

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!

Exhilarating gallops guaranteed on a two hour hack over the sand dunes and along the miles of golden sand with Reen Manor Riding who cater for novices as well as keen riders. For the kids there’s a half hour children's ride specially geared towards the under 10'S. Swing the five iron with stunning views over the beach. Perranporth Golf Club combines a 72 par course by designer James Braid with one of the finest locations in the UK.

Get a slice of country living at the Perranporth Country Market held all year round every Friday at the Memorial Hall 10am -12pm. Home grown fruit and vegetables and locally produced honey and homemade cakes.

Have a picnic in the seafront Promenade Gardens where you can have a go at pitch and putt or hire a boat and row around the lake.

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 surfing.