General
The resort of Perranporth is situated on the north Cornwall coast, south-west of Newquay. It boasts a huge sandy beach backed by the sand dunes of Penhale Sands. Naturist use of part of the beach is well known and tolerated.

Update: August 2006

The commandant of the Army training establishment at Penhale (which extends over Penhale Sands) has announced that The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has decided to ban all nude sunbathing on the MOD owned part of Perran Sands; this ban extending throughout the sand dunes, the fore dunes and as far down as the mean high water mark

His letter announcing this ban states " Unfortunately the presence of the naturists has also attracted less savoury persons whose activities have caused the MOD to review their position of tolerance."

Getting There

MultiMap

From the westbound A30, the B3285 get you to Perranporth by way of Goonhavern. Shortly before getting to the town, at the top of a hill you will see the entrance to Perran Sands Holiday village. At almost the same point, turn north on to a minor road which leads to the hamlet of Mount and (by way of a footpath) to 'St.Pirans Oratory'. About 1/4 mile along this road, park your car and follow footpath to the Oratory and beyond, over the dunes, to the sea. Alternatively, is quite possible to walk along the beach from Perranporth until you reach the nude section - the further end of this two-mile long beach.

Description
This is a glorious wide expanse of golden sand, with an extensive area of dunes (Penhale Sands) on the landward side. Like many beaches along this coast, the North Atlantic waves often create surf conditions that attract enthusiasts from all over the country. When the surf is up, swim with care. Windbreaks could be useful too. This beach is properly called ' Perran Bay'. Naturists are also said to use 'Holywell Bay' - about a mile to the north, beyond the village of Holywell - and some guides confuse the two.

"Although the far end of the bay is advertised as a naturist beach the coastal path from Hollywell Bay leads directly into this section and this part of the bay does not afford any privacy, although the dunes do."

Facilities
There are good facilities in Perranporth. The beach may be patrolled by lifeguards in the high season.

Water Quality
Typical clean Cornish water with good waves for the surfers. In fact it meets the full EEC guideline standard for water quality at the Penhale end but only attains the lower standard at the village end

User Comments

Trip Report - August 2005

"Penhale Sands, Cornwall is one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever visited.

I have noticed that the centre of this enormous beach is used by textiles in one crowd - coming from the "Haven" holiday park, down a ramp. It is an extremely long walk to the naturist section at the far end (to the right). Some people were seen spread along the sandy banks of the dunes and most were textiles and had found one or two naturists more less quarter of the way to the naturist section. I then came along to the naturist part and found most naturists grouped together in the corner. The downside is, that the naturist section seems to accumulate seaweed and bits of strewn rubbish while the rest of the beach is sparkling clean.

There were groups of single men, women and couples ranging from over 40 years of age. There were the odd glimpes of members of the public who raised a smile or two as they had walked from the coast path from the top of the cliff that takes them from Holywell Bay. Some people who had descended onto the naturist section were in fact textiles. As naturism isn't as popular as one may think, most people kept themselves covered despite there were only a "small" minority of people who were indeed naturist. I am quite surprised that this area is naturist as the vast amount of people were textile."

Trip Report - April 2005

"We used this beach last July / August (2004). We were never bothered by the life guards or the public - in fact they used to wave as we sunbathed with our two dogs. We were discreet using a beach shelter and covering up - i.e. swimsuit to bathe in. Apart from that we could sunbathe totally nude and roam around our area."

Trip Report

"I visited the beach one evening, not as warm as I would like, but pleasant. A very good beach, plenty of space and very few people. A fantastic place for splashing in the water and relaxing. Saw one other nudist. Would recommend it.

Also as a 'newbie' would say that naturism is great!"

Comments (3)

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Wowww
written by robin, February 01, 2008

Have used this beach on many occasions, a qyiet spot, with pleny of nudists and not to many gay, just people enjoying being naked!!
well worth the walk

LITTER ON PERRANPORT BEACH
written by Tracy Sullivan, April 14, 2008

Has anyone been to Perranport beach lately - it is disgusting!!!!!! I have never seen so mcuh rubbish on a beach in all my life. Me and my family were really shocked. Whilst there a bird was rescued by the RNLI life guards as it was covered in oil.
The beach would be beautiful if only the locals would get together to clean it up. Unfortunately I live in Somerset (4 hour) drive away - but will do all I can to help organise a clean up.

...
written by Kernow lover, May 31, 2008

Ms Sullivan,
I strongly recommend you don't come back to Perran if thats your view, from october to april the only debris on the beach is natural(seaweed, shells and possibly a few bits of rope and other items washed off of ships at sea),then you EMMITS arrive and the beach suddenly becomes awash with nappy liners, plastic carrier bags full of the days rubbish, dog poo (which i might add the local dog walkers are very good at picking up), plastic bottles and anything else they might like to leave behind, so why should we clear up behind these people who don't respect our beach, it's these people that need educating not the locals.

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