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Our top picks for Perranporth
The Beach
It’s got to be top of the list right? Perranporth’s three-mile long sandy beach dominates the village: it’s where we take the children for fresh air and freedom at the end of the school day, where we head to most evenings and weekends to picnic in the dunes, ride the waves, explore the rockpools and walk the dogs, and where we watch the sun sink into the sea at the end of the day.
Jane loves the beach at low tide. “On a low tide the section of beach to the left of Chapel Rock is exposed, where there are cathedral-like arches, a secret hidden part of the beach, and rocks studded with mussels and sea anemones” she says. “My children love exploring round there, and the sense of space is wonderful.”
The other end of the beach, Penhale Sands, is an invigorating walk from the main beach, either through the dunes or along the sand when the tide is out. A walk along Perranporth beach with her dog makes Liz happy: “Look out for interesting flotsam that the tide has washed up,” she suggests. “In the past I’ve seen hundreds of spider crab shells and discovered bright blue jellyfish.” And a couple of years ago, sadly, a beautiful giant of the sea – a female sperm whale – beached on our shores at the far end of the beach.
The Surf
Surfing is a big part of the culture in Perranporth. The first surfboards in the UK were made here in the 1920s by the local undertaker (hence the name ‘coffin lids’!), and there are numerous surf schools and surf shops to cater for those visitors who want to join in the fun in the water!
“Being by or in the sea is good for the soul” remarks Gemma. “There’s nothing quite like it to give you a sense of perspective and appreciate the enormity and beauty of the ocean… you can’t beat it.”
Eating Out
There are lots of restaurants, cafes and takeaways to choose from in Perranporth. The newest recruit to Duchy Holidays’ team, Jayne, particularly recommends Willow. “For breakfast, lunch or dinner, Willow has a great variety of vegetarian and seafood options. It’s one of my favourite places to eat out in Perranporth!” she reveals.
Other favourites with the Duchy Holidays team are Piran Thai takeaway for authentic Thai cuisine (the Talay Prik Pao stir-fried king prawn and squid is mouth-wateringly good), and Del Mar for an Italian dinner out. “The food there is delicious,” says Denise, “just make sure you leave room for dessert too!”.
Evening Drinks
We’re spoilt for choice with places to enjoy an evening tipple. Some of our favourites are The Waterfront beer garden where the children are happy to play while we sip on a speciality gin, or The Seiners for a laid-back dog-friendly pub with uninterrupted views of the beach and sea from the large outdoor terrace.
Emma likes to go to the Watering Hole on the beach. “They have Rattler, and a stunning view! Plus they’re dog friendly so my dog Pebbles can come too!” For a traditional country pub, The Bolingey Inn in the picturesque hamlet of Bolingey, dates from the 17th century and provides a great stop-off point for a pint while on country rambles!
Family Activities
There’s so much for children to do in Perranporth, in addition to happy hours spent on the beach making sandcastles and lasting memories! The village has a children’s play park, tennis courts, a putting green, and a boating lake where rowing boats can be hired in the summer, and ducks fed all year round.
Nearby family friendly attractions include Healey’s Cyder Farm (two miles from Perranporth) where there are farm animals to view and pet, and children will love to try the fruit juices and freshly made jams, while the adults can sample the ciders made on-site!
Just down the road is Callestick Farm, where the famous Cornish ice cream is made. Michelle enjoys visiting there with her family; “The children love seeing the animals, playing on the play equipment, and of course being treated to an ice-cream too” she laughs. “The only problem is deciding which flavour to choose!”
If you fancy coming to Perranporth and trying out some of our favourite haunts, Duchy Holidays have a wide selection of self-catering holiday properties to choose from. Take a look online or give us a call on 01872 572971 – we’ll be more than happy to hear your requirements and match you to your ideal holiday home.