Perranporth facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Perranporth
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 Perran Beach from Droskyn Point |
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| Population | 3,066 |
| OS grid reference | SW756540 |
| Civil parish | |
| Unitary authority | |
| Ceremonial county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Perranporth |
| Postcode district | TR6 |
| Dialling code | 01872 |
| Police | Devon and Cornwall |
| Fire | Cornwall |
| Ambulance | South Western |
| EU Parliament | South West England |
| UK Parliament |
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Perranporth is a lively seaside resort town on the north coast of Cornwall, England. Its name comes from Porth Peran, which means "The Cove of Saint Piran" in the Cornish language. Saint Piran is the patron saint of Cornwall. He founded a special place called the St Piran's Oratory nearby in the 7th century.
Perranporth is about 2 miles east of the St Agnes coastline. It is also about 7 miles southwest of Newquay. The town and its long, 2-mile beach face the mighty Atlantic Ocean. Around 3,000 people live in Perranporth, making it the biggest town in the area of Perranzabuloe.
Contents
Exploring Perranporth's Past
Perranporth has an interesting history, especially with mining. Long ago, people mined iron ore right from a large vein on the beach. In the 1860s, a special "puffer" engine helped move the ore up the cliffs. From there, it went to a quay on the River Gannel.
A railway line came to Perranporth in 1903. This line connected Chacewater to Newquay. Perranporth had two stations, making it easy for people to visit. The railway line closed in the 1960s.
During World War II, Perranporth Airfield was built. It was an RAF fighter station. Today, it is a civil airfield, meaning regular planes can use it. It sits on the high ground above the cliffs at Cligga Head.
Discovering Perranporth's Geography
Perranporth's main street is St Piran's Road. It is part of the B3285 road that links Newquay to St Agnes. The town centre has many shops, cafés, and pubs. The famous South West Coast Path also passes through the town. You can even catch a long-distance coach from London to Perranporth.
Perranporth Beach: A Surfer's Paradise
Perranporth is a very popular place for family holidays. Its wide, sandy beach, called Perran Beach, stretches for about 2 miles. It faces west towards the Atlantic Ocean and is a fantastic spot for surfing. Lifeguards watch over the beach from May to September. The beach is usually safe for swimming. However, be careful of strong rip currents near Chapel Rock when the tide is low.
North of the town centre, you'll find Perran Sands. This is a large holiday camp and caravan site.
Coastal Wonders and Nature
At the south end of the beach, there are cliffs with amazing natural arches and rock stacks. You can also see old tin-mining tunnels called adits. A youth hostel is located above the cliffs at Droskyn Point. Nearby is Droskyn Castle, which used to be a hotel and is now apartments.
The beach is backed by huge sand dunes called Penhale Sands. These dunes stretch almost a mile inland. They are used for orienteering competitions and have an 18-hole golf course.
The dunes are also home to lots of wildlife. You can find rare plants and insects here. This includes Cornwall's largest group of silver-studded blue butterflies. This butterfly is a special species listed in the Red Data Book.
Southwest of Perranporth, the coast becomes rocky. Cliffs rise about 300 feet (90 metres) at Cligga Head. These cliffs are part of the Cligga Head SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest). This area is important for its unique geological features and amazing plants and animals.
Fun Annual Events
Perranporth hosts several exciting events each year:
- The Perranporth Shout: This Sea-song and Shanty Festival happens every April. Singers come from all over, even Scotland and Norway! It's a three-day event with performances at five different places. On Friday night, up to 60 singers join in a huge singing session.
- Extreme Surf Triathlon: Perranporth SLSC holds this tough triathlon every September. It includes a swim in the sea, a bike ride on the hills, and a challenging run through the dunes and cliffs.
- Tunes in the Dunes: This music festival takes place on the sand dunes of Perranporth. Famous artists like Tom Walker, Craig David, and Fatboy Slim have performed here.
Places to Worship and Community Groups
Perranporth has several places of worship. The main parish church is in Perranzabuloe. There is also an Anglican chapel in Perranporth called St Michael's, which opened in 1872.
The town also has a Roman Catholic church called Christ the King. It is part of the Diocese of Plymouth.
Sports and Activities
Perranporth is a great place for sports!
- Surfing: With its long sands and beach break, Perranporth is perfect for surfing. It's also a popular spot for kite surfing.
- Golf: Perranporth Golf Club is just north of the town.
- Football: The local football team, Perranporth A.F.C., plays in Division One West of the South West Peninsula League.
- Rugby and Tennis: There is also a rugby club called "The Brewers" and a tennis club.
Cornish Wrestling History
Perranporth has a history of hosting Cornish wrestling tournaments. These events took place in fields near the Perranporth Tennis Club.
Famous People from Perranporth
Some well-known people have lived in Perranporth:
- Donald Healey: He was a motor engineer and designer. He opened the town's first garage and petrol station in 1919.
- Winston Graham: This author lived in Perranporth for many years. His famous Poldark novels are based on this beautiful area.
Images for kids
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Perranporth Beach from above
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The beach and a pool from the air
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Another view of Perranporth Beach from the sky
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A wide aerial shot of Perranporth Beach
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The Watering Hole pub on Perranporth Beach, seen from above
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Perranporth Beach and its car park
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A stunning view of Perranporth Beach
See also
In Spanish: Perranporth para niños
