Perranporth Beach
Perranporth Beach on the north Cornish coast is one of the finest surf beaches in Cornwall, a three-mile expanse of north-facing sand backed by extensive dune systems that receives consistent Atlantic swell and has developed a surf culture over the past half century that makes it one of the most popular beach destinations on this section of the coast. The combination of the long sandy beach, the surfing conditions, the dune walks and the attractive village of Perranporth above the beach creates a destination of considerable appeal for families, surfers and walkers alike. The beach is divided into three sections by rock outcrops that create distinct zones with different surf and swimming conditions, the lifeguard-supervised swimming area between the flags providing safe bathing while the outer sections offer more challenging surf. The rock outcrops exposed at low tide create rock pools of considerable richness and the cave accessible at low water at the south end of the beach, known as the Cathedral Cave, is a large and impressive sea cave worth seeking out. The dune system behind the beach, part of the Penhale Dunes Site of Special Scientific Interest, is one of the most extensive in Cornwall and supports a range of rare dune plants and insects. The Perran Sands holiday park occupies the northern part of the dune system and provides accommodation at the beach. Behind the dunes the grassland of the Penhale Army Camp provides additional open space accessible on public rights of way. The lost city of Perranzabuloe, a chapel and settlement buried by the advancing dunes and now partially excavated, provides an unusual archaeological feature in the dune landscape, and the oratory associated with St Piran is claimed to be the oldest Christian building in England.