Perranporth

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Perranporth is a village on the north coast of Carrick, Cornwall in the United Kingdom, six miles south-west of Newquay. The village, and its large sandy beach, face the Atlantic, with hundreds of miles of uninterrupted fetch producing large waves, making it one of the most popular surfing destinations in Britain. At low tide the sands extend up to Ligger Point, 2 miles (3 km) to the north. The sand dunes (Penhale Sands) adjacent to the northern part of the beach are used for orienteering championships. There is an army training camp here. The southern end of the beach is backed by dramatic cliffs, with natural arches and stacks, and tin-mining adits. This headland is called Droskyn Point, and on top of it is a youth hostel with spectacular views and a large sundial, situated beside the South West Coast Path.

The village's name is Cornish for "Saint Piran's cove". Saint Piran is the patron saint of Cornwall and his white-on-black cross features on the county's flag.

It is believed that Saint Piran founded the church near to Perranporth (the "Lost Church") in the seventh century. Buried under sand for many centuries, it was unearthed early in the twentieth century, but again left to the mercy of the sands in the 1970s. Plans are now afoot to make it accessible once more.

The author Winston Graham lived in Perranporth for many years and his famous Poldark novels, which were televised, starring Robin Ellis and Angharad Rees as Ross and Demelza, are based on the history of the area. "Hendrawna Sands" in the novels is Perranporth beach.

Perranporth hosts a popular inter-Celtic festival each October, Lowender Peran, drawing people in from all six of the Celtic nations.

The village has a civil airfield.

Perranporth is a popular bucket-and-spade family holiday destination. There is a lifeguard service on the beach from May to September. The beach is generally safe for bathing but there are dangerous rip currents around Chapel Rock on a falling tide.

During the 1999 eclipse Perranporth was the only place in the country that was known to see it.