Things to do on holiday in Cornwall

Perranporth

Perranporth is set across three miles of golden sands and is famous for its surf, stunning coastal footpath that boasts beautiful views and being the only beach in the UK with a bar on it! All this and only seven miles away from the cathedral city of Truro makes it an accessible town with everything that’s great about Cornwall. You can spend the day surfing, sunbathing, playing golf or even riding horses on the beach, whatever floats your boat – which reminds us, there’s even a boating lake for when the open sea becomes too much!

Eat and drink

Here are some recommendations for eating out, maybe not the obvious ones, there are many excellent places to eat out in Perranporth. We recommend that you book in advance

Black Flag Brewery – is an independent brewery and taproom located in Perranporth on the north Cornish Coast. Delicious wood fired pizza on Fridays and Saturdays. 01872 858004

Del Mar – Italian St George’s Hill, Perranporth TR6 0JR 01872 572878

The Longstore – Bistro and Sunday lunch 62 Lemon St, Truro TR1 2PN 01872 430000

The Longstore – Charlestown Harbour, Saint Austell PL25 3NJ 01726 68598

Bolingey Inn – Penwartha Road, Bolingey, TR6 0DH 01872 571626

Tremeneere – Penzance TR20 8YL  within the sculpture park 01736 448089

The Heron – Truro TR1 1SL Great river views 01872 272773

The Tywarnhayle Inn – Perranporth right in the centre 01872 572215

Cafe Q – St Agnes TR5 0RS 01872 857045

Blue Bar – St Agnes  TR4 8AW 01209 890329

Driftwood Spas – St Agnes – TR5 0RT right on the coastal path 01872 552428

Natural beauty

Droskyn Sundial – This is a great spot to catch a sunset whilst also checking out a bit of manmade beauty too. The clock sits next to some amphitheatre style seats, ideal for taking up some fish and chips and a drink and taking in the beautiful sunset that the Atlantic has to offer!

Walks, Gardens and Places to Visit

  • Perranporth Beach of course! Over 3 miles of dog friendly beach. There are some times of the year when dogs must be kept on leads. Please check Cornwall Council website for uptodate information. The South West Coastal path can be accessed from the far end of the beach and the walk east, takes you to Newquay, via Holywell bay.
  • Porthkidney Beach St Ives. Dogs are allowed all year, on lead on some stretches. Vast expanse of sand runs over a mile out onto St Ives bay at low tide. 19 miles away, its around 30 mins by car
  • Lizard Point a National Trust site is mainland Britain’s most southerly point. There are coastal trails and secluded coves, about an hours drive from Perranporth
  • Camel Trail, Padstow 18 mile trail, along disused railway line. Lots of entry and exit points, convenient, fairly flat dog friendly walk. You can also hire bikes along the Camel Trail – bike hire 01208 814104
  • Enys Gardens Situated a few miles to the east of Penryn on the south coast, Enys is an old historic garden, perhaps the oldest in Cornwall. Beautiful gardens are a haven of tranquillity and are open between 1st April and 30th September. Book tickets in advance online. There is a café and dogs are welcome on a lead.15 miles away from Perranporth, 30 minute drive. Book online. TR10 9LB.
  • Tehidy Country Park Vast area of woodland (largest in west Cornwall) it has 9 miles of walking trails, 250 acres of woodland, a picnic area. Free car parking and a visitor centre café. Dogs are allowed all year with no restrictions. 21 minutes by car, 13 miles. TR14 0EZ
  • Trelissick Set on its own peninsula with panoramic views of the Fal estuary, explore meandering paths, open parkland, woodland, shoreline and beach. Dog friendly, National Trust, there is also a café, ice cream kiosk and plant shop TR3 6QL. 26 mins by car, 14 miles.
  • Healeys Cyder Farm 3.5 miles from Perranporth, there is a café, tours, farm animals and Cyder tasting. 8 mins by car, TR4 9LT.
  • Perranporth Golf Club links course welcomes visitors. Designed in 1927 very little has changed since then. Its regularly rated inside Britain’s top 50. The main lounge and patio areas provide stunning views over the course to the Atlantic. Budnic Hill, Perranporth TR6 0AB 01872 572454.
  • Newquay Zoo Newquay is situated 8.5 miles from Perranporth. Over 130 species of the worlds most rare and endangered animals. Food outlets, play areas, gift shop. Pre book tickets. Trenance Gardens, TR7 2NL
  • Aquarium underwater walk through tunnel, interactive talks and feeding demonstrations with keepers. Towan Promenade, Newquay, TR7 1DU 20 mins from Perranporth (Maybe combine with Newquay Zoo)
  • Truro 9.5 miles from Perranporth. Truro is the county town of Cornwall, it has a cathedral and many independent shops, bars, cafes and restaurants for all tastes. Royal Cornwall Museum, Hall for Cornwall and picture-perfect parks in abundance
  • Lappa Valley Steam Railway in Newquay has a children’s playground, boating lake, crazy golf, and catch a ride on steam engine train. Woodland walks, indoor soft play and a café. Coming soon… a frisbee golf course! 8 miles from Perranporth takes about 20 mins. 01872 510317 TR8 5LX.
  • Bodmin Jail built in 1779 for King George III, Bodmin Jail has played an important role in Cornwall’s history and gives visitors a chance to delve into an intriguing hidden history. This is an immersive, fun experience, not for the faint hearted… around 40 minutes away PL31 2NR – Pre book your tickets online
  • Perranporth Boating Lake – Perranporth Bowling Club – Putting Green Boscawen Road, Perranporth TR6 0EP
  • Trerice National Trust Kestle Mill, near Newquay TR8 4PG – Grand Elizabethan house on a small scale with gardens and a café. 18 miles, 10 miles away from Perranporth
  • Eden Project Bodelva PL24 2SG – 45 mins/26 miles – a beautiful global garden, an extraordinary day out, rediscover the natural world with performance and story telling
  • Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens – dramatic landscape, exotic and sub tropical planting provides backdrop to inspiring art. Overlooks St Michaels Mount near Penzance, with gallery, shop, nursery, and restaurant. Near Gulval, Penzance TR20 8YL 36 mins/25 miles
  • Cornish Seal Sanctuary in Gweek, TR12 6UG – 45 minutes away from Perranporth. The sanctuary rescues and cares for sick, injured or distressed seals and other marine animals.
  • Camel Creek Adventure Park Wadebridge PL26 7RA. Family rides, pets corner, café, gift shop, indoor play. Pre book tickets online. 01841 540276. 40 minutes from Perranporth
  • Fishing/Boat trips
  • Newquay aboard Mystique call 07507 366461
    • Mevagissey – Huntress Charters, fishing, dolphin/wildlife watching. PL26 6UP
    • Falmouth boat trips, harbour cruises, Fal or Helford River cruises, Fishing trips TR11 3DF – 07534 225932

Outdoor fun

Obviously, the beach is a great choice but if you’ve got children or a mind that needs a bit more stimulating, Cornwall has plenty of outdoor attractions. Paradise Park in Hayle has an array of exotic birds and shows throughout the day as well as kids play areas and an on-site café. Healey’s Cornish Cyder Farm can be found in Penhallow Truro, where the famous Rattler is produced! Heartlands is a FREE visitor attraction and World Heritage Site Gateway in Cornwall. Nestled just off the A30 in Pool, near Redruth in the former mining heart of Cornwall, there are 19 acres of eclectic fun to explore.

Flambards is Cornwall’s premium theme park with rides and attractions for all the family.  There’s also indoor exhibitions including life-size Victorian Village and Britain in the Blitz to enjoy.