TODAY we are exploring Perran Sands, an excellent spot for a long beach walk, as the Voice continues its serialisation of the travel book, Cornwall Favourites For One And All!: A Quick Guide To Good Places To Visit Across The County.
“For the latest part of the tour, we are following the extensive northern coast of Cornwall all the way to the beautiful Bude area.”
Just around the corner from Perranporth’s beach is the wide and sometimes wild expanse of Perran Sands. When the tide goes out, you can walk from Perranporth all the way along this pristine stretch of golden sand, exploring caves as you go.
Perran Sands is also popular with horse riders and surfers. On the cliffs above the beach, paragliders sometimes launch themselves into the clean Atlantic air to soar over the waves and rippled sands below.
Scenes from the sand dunes at Perran Sands in Cornwall. Video: Andrew Townsend
In the sand dunes behind the beach, you will find the ruins of St Piran’s Oratory. Legend says St Piran, one of the patron saints of Cornwall, came across the sea from Ireland on a millstone and landed at Perranporth. The oratory, an early Christian chapel, represents the supposed site where St Piran established a church.
Next time, we will be enjoying the fantastic views from Pentire Point East at Newquay and visiting Fistral beach, the surfing capital of Cornwall.
Our lovely tour around the county taking in well-known spots but also lesser-known locations, offers something for everyone, from sandy beaches, remote moorland, storm-beaten cliffs and scenic rivers to historic towns, pretty villages, mining heritage sites and visitor attractions.
• Andrew Townsend is a journalist and writer. More details of Cornwall Favourites For One And All!: A Quick Guide To Good Places To Visit Across The County, which is also available as an ebook, can be found via this link to Andrew’s author page on Amazon - bit.ly/AndrewTownsendAuthor