Perranuthnoe

Perranuthnoe sits on the eastern side of Mount’s Bay, roughly a mile east of Marazion and four miles from Penzance. The village name combines St Piran - Cornwall’s patron saint - with Uthno, the old local manor. Views across the bay take in St Michael’s Mount, and the South West Coast Path runs through to Prussia Cove in one direction and Marazion in the other.

The beach - also known as Perran Sands - opens out into a wide stretch of golden sand at low tide, popular with surfers and families. At high water, the sea reaches the base of the cliffs, so checking tide times is essential. Lifeguard cover runs from mid-May through to the last weekend of September. Rock pools and reef breaks add variety for anyone exploring the shoreline.

The Victoria Inn, which dates to the 12th century, is thought to be one of the oldest recorded pubs in Cornwall and has won a Taste of the West Gold Award for its food. Two cafes serve the beach area - the Cabin right on the sand and the Peppercorn a short walk up the lane. The parish church of St Piran stands on a site dating back to 1160 and retains a Norman font from the original building.

Perranuthnoe first appears in the Domesday Book of 1086. Today it remains a quiet, residential village with a loyal local following - close enough to Penzance for supplies but far enough removed to feel properly rural. The coastal walking in both directions is among the best in West Cornwall.