Out and About
Discover Cornwall from Perran Quay
Holidays in Cornwall are all about discovering amazing beaches and enjoying extraordinary adventures. At Perran Quay, you are perfectly situated to make the most of everything that Cornwall has to offer. From spectacular stretches of sand and picture post-card destinations to award winning attractions and everything in-between.
EXPLORE WHAT CORNWALL HAS TO OFFER WITH OUR INTERACTIVE MAP
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here are a few of our top recommendations:
Beaches
Famed for it's dramatic coastlines, Cornwall boasts some of the best beaches in Europe. Explore quiet hidden coves, to surfing meccas, there's definitely a beach for you and the entire family. Below are some of our favourite beaches just a short drive away from Perran Quay.
holywell bay
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Approx. 5.2 miles away
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Popular amongst families
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Pet Friendly
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At low tide, explore grotto-like Holywell Cave and it's calcium deposits (these are INCREDIBLE to see!!)
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Plenty of dunes to climb
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Parking close by as part of the National Trust, but can get very busy during peak months.
crantock
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Approx. 4.3 miles away
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Popular for swimming, snorkelling, surfing and wind-surfing
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Golden sands and rolling dunes
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Dolphins visit occasionally too!
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During peak months, there is a small boat that will take you over the water to a cafe on the hill.
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There is on beach parking and local amenities in Crantock also.
fistral beach
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Approx. 5.6 miles away
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One of the world's top surfing destinations
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On-shore there are plenty of places to book surf lessons and hire gear
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Restaurants, cafes and shops located conveniently on the beach
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On site parking
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This beach can get extremely busy during peak months, but there are plenty of other parkings options near-by.
polly joke
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Approx. 5.2 miles away
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Sometimes known as 'Porth Joke'
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Excellent for rock-pooling and plenty of caves to explore
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Suitable for swimming, bodyboarding, surfing and fishing
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This is a hidden GEM, it is not as busy as most other beaches in Cornwall, but there is quite a long walk from the car to the beach itself!
perranporth
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Approx. 3.7 miles away
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Great beach for surfing, snorkelling, sailing and splashing about
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At low tide, Perranporth and neighbouring Penhale Sands join together to make the longest stretch of unbroken sand
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Perranporth is a quaint seaside town with lots of shops, pubs and local offerings to choose from.
watergate bay
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Approx. 7.6 miles away
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Home to the annual Boardmasters Festival
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Great for surfing
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At low tide, the beach becomes a vast expanse of unbroken golden sand backed by high cliffs
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The Watergate Bay Hotel has a restaurant that is highly sought after, we would recommend booking well in advance, if you would like a table!
Walks
holywell to newquay
RATING: Moderate​
LENGTH: 6.9 miles/11.2km
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A one way coastal walk from Holywell Bay to Newquay, passing the beaches of Polly Joke, Crantock, and the headland of West Pentire, where there is a spectacular display of red and gold wild flowers in June.
bedruthan steps to porthcothan
RATING: Moderate​
LENGTH: 6.2 miles/10km
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A circular walk, featuring some of the most spectacular scenery of the North Cornish coast, including the rock stacks of Bedruthan steps, the azure lagoon of the Trescore islands and the sheltered golden sandy beach of Porthcothan.
newquay circular
RATING: Moderate​
LENGTH: 5.8 miles/9.3km
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A circular walk around the UK surf capital, which was transformed from a tiny fishing village with a few thatch cottages when, in order to export one from the harbour, a horse drawn tram-way was built across Cornwall, which later became part of the Great Western Railway.
west pentire and polly joke circular
RATING: Easy/Moderate​
LENGTH: 2.2 miles/3.6km
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A circular walk through the poppy fields of West Pentire to Polly Joke beach, returning over the Headland to the pub that was a cow shed until the mid 20th Century.
Destinations
Newquay
(Appx. 4.7 miles) Catch a wave in Cornwall! Beach, surfing, and scenery draw the crowds to Newquay every summer. Perfect your tan on the beach, paddle in the shallows, or join the surfers out at sea. Just out of town, the Holywell Bay Fun Park, Newquay Zoo, and Blue Reef Aquarium provide family fun, and dedicated cycling tracks offer an alternate way to tour nearby towns of Bodmin, Padstow, and Truro.
ST IVES
(Approx. 26 miles) St Ives – the dazzling jewel in Cornwall’s crown. A picturesque fishing harbour and seaside town. Wander through the maze of narrow cobbled streets, independent shops and fisherman’s cottages in the heart of St Ives. Surf at the blue flag-rated Porthmeor beach and feel the soft sand between your toes, or set off on an inspiring walk along the coastal path towards Land’s End. We’re waiting for you!
truro
(Approx. 9.3 miles) Truro, the UK’s most Southerly city is a vibrant centre of shopping, culture and impressive architecture right in the heart of Cornwall. Centre stage is Truro Cathedral with its impressive gothic towers dominating the skyline. In its shadow, a warren of compact streets are home to an impressive array of independent traders. From boutiques to bookshops and designer interiors to delicatessens, this great little city offers a unique shopping experience.
st agnes
(Approx. 10 miles) Considered to be the very essence of rural Cornwall, St Agnes is a beautiful and thriving village on Cornwall’s north coast. With dog-friendly beaches, spectacular coastal paths, individual and interesting shops, and wonderful pubs and restaurants, it’s well worth a visit.
padstow
(Approx. 23 miles) The North Cornwall fishing port of Padstow has seen its popularity explode over recent years. Centred around the attractive harbour the bustling town is an eclectic mix of fisherman's cottages and merchant's houses. Whilst fishing and the port's trade have declined over the centuries the void has been readily filled with Padstow establishing itself as one of Cornwall's premiere holiday resorts.
Attractions
st. michael's mount
(Approx. 27 miles)
St Michael's Mount is the jewel in Cornwall's crown. This, the most famous of Cornwall's landmarks, has a fascinating history, is steeped in both legend and folklore, has stunning panoramic views across Mounts Bay to Lands End and The Lizard, boasts a picturesque harbour and has a spectacular castle, complete with majestic gardens. The Mount is a complete family day out, with quite literally something for everyone.
minack theatre
(Approx. 38 miles)
The Minack Theatre is Cornwall's world famous open-air theatre, carved into the granite cliff and set in glorious gardens overlooking the spectacular panorama of Porthcurno Bay.
From above it looks as though some wandering Greeks, two thousand years ago, had carved a theatre into the granite cliffs of Porthcurno, Cornwall. In fact, it was just under eighty years ago that there was nothing there except a sloping gully of gorse and heather and below that, the sea of the Atlantic Ocean.
eden project
(Approx. 24 miles)
Experience the sights, smells and scale of the rainforests in the Rainforest Biome - the world's largest greenhouse - and discover the tropical plants that are used to produce everyday products. Travel to South Africa and California, as you amble amongst the orange and lemon trees, olive groves and gnarled vines of the Mediterranean Biome, and in the 30-acre Outdoor Garden see hemp, sunflowers and other plants that could change your future, flourishing under the Cornish sun
tintagel castle
(Approx. 38 miles)
This brooding 13th-century castle sits on the rugged and spectacular Atlantic coast in Cornwall, which recalls the myth and mystery associated with King Arthur and Merlin the magician. New exhibition explores the stories linking Tintagel to King Arthur which includes a 3D model of the site illustrating how it has changed over the centuries. Dog friendly and child friendly, this is a great day out for all the family
the lost gardens of heligan
(Approx. 21 miles)
Heligan is one of the most mysterious estates in England. Lost to the brambles of time since the outbreak of WW1, this Sleeping Beauty was re-awakened in 1990 to become Europe’s largest garden restoration project. Today Heligan’s 200 acres are a paradise for the explorer, wildlife, plant lover and garden romantic.
healey's cornish cyder farm
(Approx. 4.2 miles)
Deep in the heart of the Cornish countryside, we've been making the most of our orchards for over 30 years. Whether it's getting to the core of great flavour or thinking outside the box, we know what it takes to make apples special. Optional tours and experiences take you on a Cyder making journey - from apple to Cider! Take a tractor ride through our Orchards, and sample at least 20 varieties of Cyder, wine and preserves.
land's end
(Approx. 38 miles)
The beautiful scenery of Land's End has made it one of Britain's favourite destinations for days out. Located at the westernmost point of Cornwall, you can appreciate fully how the relationship between land and sea is constantly changing. Parking your car is the only thing you have to pay for, and you can then walk the clifftops to see how Cornwall changes from season to season, or contemplate the thousands of miles of the Atlantic Ocean which begin at the First and Last Point. No visit is complete without having your picture taken at the famous land's end signpost.
Junior Adventures
CAMEL CREEK
Camel Creek Adventure Park
(Approx. 19 miles)
Nestled in 111 acres of Cornish countryside, Cornwall's Camel Creek Adventure Park is a haven of family-friendly rides, giant play areas and animal encounters.
newquay zoo
(Approx. 4.5 miles)
Set in lush sub-tropical gardens, Newquay Zoo is the place to discover some of the wonders of the world. From lions, lynx and lemurs to meerkats, marmosets and monkeys, you are never far away from a little animal magic. The Zoo is both one of Cornwall's most exciting visitor attractions and a leading conservation charity. Run wild in our play areas, explore our Oriental Garden, or visit our Village Farm and meet some of the loveable characters.
Dairyland
(Approx. 7.5 miles)
Dairyland Farm Park, near Newquay, Cornwall offers a fantastic adventure park to suit all ages. From slides to the nature trail, tractor rides and pony rides, to milking the cows, feeding our animals and touring our museums. If the weather's not so good, don't despair! - Dairyland offers a whole host of family fun all under cover including our Massive Indoor play centre, our inside rotary milking parlour, our interesting and factual farm museums and Clarabelle's kitchen café with our wide range of great value food and drink.
blue reef
aquarium
(Approx. 4.9 miles)
From the local Cornish coast to the dazzling beauty of the Tropical Reef, Newquay Blue Reef aquarium has an exciting world of underwater adventure waiting to be discovered. Visitors can enjoy the closest of undersea encounters with amazing aquatic life including seahorses, giant octopus, and fierce Piranha. At the aquariums heart is a spectacular coral reef display housed within a 250,000 litre ocean tank.
flambards
(Approx. 23 miles)
Flambards Theme Park, Helston, Cornwall is a great family fun day out with plenty of great things to do! Brave the sky-high thrill rides, or enjoy the undercover soft play area. Discover dinosaurs in the Jurassic Journey and uncover fossils in the Dino Dig. Step back in time in the life-size Victorian Village and experience Britain in the Blitz in the award-winning Indoor Attractions. Enjoy Cornwall’s best day of the week - whatever the weather. There is plenty to enjoy even on those rainy days.
Get Directions
Address to get Home:
Perran Quay Touring Park
Hendra Croft
Newquay
Cornwall
TR8 5QP
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01872 572561