25. Leg 7 - SW Coastal Path 25: Perranporth to Porth

26 May 2019  

We parked in Newquay and took the bus to Perranporth. It was rather drizzly so views weren't quite so vivid but still a spectacular walk which brightened up towards the end!

https://www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk/walksdb/152/ (we did this in reverse!)

'The West Pentire headland is a Site of Special Scientific Interest for its breathtaking seasonal wildflowers such as the June poppies and corn marigold flowers in the arable fields overlooking Crantock Beach.'

1. Breakfast in the rain!

2. The route

3. Perranporth. Julian used to come here for family holidays as a boy so we took a few nostalgic photos!

4. Perranporth beach from Ligger Point

5. Penhale - Penhale Point has Iron Age defences still visible. There are fantastic views which stretch to St Agnes Head, Godrevy Point and St Ives beyond ... apparently!!!

6. Hoblyn's Cove

7. Holywell Beach and the statutory bridge picture! - 'home to hundreds of different insects'.

8. Holywell Beach - dunes and Carter's Rocks (sometimes known as Gull Rocks .. of which there are many!!)

9. The Kelseys and Kelsey Head to Porth Joke

10. Pentire back to Porth Joke

11. The Rushy Green

12. Crantock Beach

13. Pentire from Crantock Beach

14. River Gannel. Thousands of birds travel here to find winter shelter including Ringed Plover, Greenshank, Dunline, Curlew and Teal. Lucikly the tide was low so we were able to take the shortest option across the bridge rather than taking the longer alternative route through Trevemper!

15. Fistral Beach

16. Towan Head with the tiny white Huer's hut overlooking Newquay Bay. The Huer was a lookout who had the important job of alerting the fishermen when shoals of pilchards were spotted in the bay.

17. Newquay Bay and harbour

18. Towan Beach with a house on an island!

19. Back at Porth Beach before having to retrace our steps through Newquay back to the car!

 20. A welcome beer back at the campsite!