Perran Sands is one of the most beautiful Haven holiday parks, located near the vast, sandy beach at Perranporth on the stunning north Cornwall coast.
There are plenty of activities to keep you entertained in the park – it even has its own surf school.
But if you’re looking for some days out exploring the local area, there’s a wealth of attractions and things to do near Perran Sands.
In this guide, we’ll explore some of those places, all within a short 10-mile journey from Perran Sands holiday park.
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1. Perranporth Beach
- Distance from the park: 2 miles
- Travel time: 7-minute drive
Less than a mile away, this fantastic beach with miles of golden sands is a paradise for surfers, diving, sailing, or a picnic and sandcastles.
The beach is sheltered by sand dunes and is home to abundant wildlife.
- Cafes and bars nearby
- Coastal walks
- Horse riding on the shore
- Sand chairs provided by Cornwall Mobility
- Dogs welcome
Good To Know:
- Opening Time: 24 Hours, Daily
- Address: Newquay TR6 0ND
- Standard Adult Price: Free
2. Llama Land
- Distance from the park: 7 miles
- Travel time: 18-minute drive
Family-owned Penare Farm is set on 140 acres of woods and farmland in the heart of the Cornish countryside.
Llama Land is a delightful adventure in the heart of nature, where you can relax and enjoy a gentle walk with the friendly llamas, meet them personally and learn about their quirky characters.
Remember to book in advance!
- Amazing views
- Guided llama walks
- Working farm, animals
- Farmhouse lunch and Cornish cream teas
Good To Know:
- Opening Time: Walks start at 10 AM
- Address: Penare Farm, Shortlanesend, Truro, TR4 9DG
- Standard Adult Price: £48
3. Newquay Sea Safaris and Fishing Trips
- Distance from the park: 8.7 miles
- Travel time: 19-minute drive
Less than 5 miles from Perran Sands, this is a fun, family-friendly ocean adventure, the perfect opportunity to spot the Cornish marine wildlife.
Cornwall has a long fishing and smuggling history, and Chris, the skipper, is a mine of information with 30 years of experience guiding ocean cruises. He’s also passionate about marine ecology and conservation.
On a Wildlife Ocean Cruise, you might see whales, dolphins, giant tuna, basking sharks and perhaps the fin of a blue shark, as well as a multitude of seabirds.
- 2-hour adventure trip
- Secret coves, secluded beaches
- Family-friendly
- Steady boats
- 2, 4 and all-day fishing trips-deep sea, private charter, wreck and reef fishing, mackerel fishing, conger fishing
- Take your catch home
- Bait and equipment provided
Good To Know:
- Opening Time: Trip time varies
- Address: Shark’s Head Kiosk, South Quay Hill, Newquay Harbour TR7 1HT
- Standard Adult Price: Fishing trips start from £25
4. Lappa Valley
- Distance from the park: 7 miles
- Travel time: 16-minute drive
Experience exciting steam train rides through 35 beautiful acres of the Cornish countryside.
A boating lake and lots of fun outdoor adventures make Lappa Valley one of Cornwall’s most popular attractions.
There are pedalo swans on the boating lake, crazy golf and a magical musical woodland walk, and the adventure playground with climbing frames, a giant tunnel slide, and much more will keep the children entertained.
This is an affordable, action-packed day out for the family about 7 miles from Perran Sands.
- Secret adventure valley
- Family games field
- Crazy golf course
- Steam train rides
- Family friendly
- Boating lake, pedalo swans
- Adventure playground, trampolines, rocker trains, slides, indoor soft play, climbing frames, pirate ship
- Pedal cars
- Fantastic coffee shop and café with decking areas
Good To Know:
- Opening Time: 10 AM to 5 PM, Daily
- Address: St. Newlyn East, Newquay, TR8 5LX
- Standard Adult Price: £15.95
5. Fistral Beach
- Distance from the park: 8.9 miles
- Travel time: 18-minute drive
The beautiful golden sands and big waves at Fistral Beach are a haven for surfers and perfect for family summer days.
You can hire kayaks, beginner boards, boogie boards, or paddle boards, or sit back and watch.
There is a variety of restaurants and cafes nearby.
- Sheltered, safe, sandy beach
- Swimming
- Equipment hire
- Surfing lessons
- Kayaking, body boarding, range of water sports
Good To Know:
- Opening Time: 24 Hours, Daily
- Address: Newquay, Cornwall, TR7 1HY
- Standard Adult Price: Free
6. Dairyland Farm Park
- Distance from the park: 9.5 miles
- Travel time: 20-minute drive
For a fun day out in the countryside about 6 miles from Perran Sands, Dairyland has lots of animals to meet and feed in The Barn, the Bug Zone with snakes and reptiles, woodland trails, and a host of activities in a natural environment for the whole family.
Delicious hot and cold food and cream teas are available in the Farmhouse Cafe.
When you buy a one-day ticket, you can come back as often as you like for the next seven days.
- Museum, mills: Learn about making butter and cream
- Animals: meerkats, goats, ducks, rabbits, guinea pigs
- Woodland lakes trail
- Scrambled Legs assault course, zip wires, trampolines
- Outdoor play equipment
- Bull Pen indoor soft play
- Pedal cart track
- Pony rides
- Dog shelter
Good To Know:
- Opening Time: 10 AM to 5 PM, Daily
- Address: Tresillian Barton, Summercourt, Newquay, TR8 5AA
- Standard Adult Price: £11.00
7. Cornish Lavender
- Distance from the park: 3.6 miles
- Travel time: 11-minute drive
Cornish Lavender is a delightful, tranquil sanctuary in a beautiful setting just down the road from Perran Sands.
You can learn about the process from flower to essential oil, stroll through Cliff’s Woods, relax in the hammocks or play on the tree swing.
Discover the ancient sunken road, enjoy the stunning views across the fragrant purple lavender sea and round off your visit with a sumptuous, homemade lavender cream tea.
You’re free to explore the lavender fields in this wonderful sensory experience.
- Eco approach, eco toilet
- Woodland walks
- Craft sessions, informative talks
- Delicious cream tea
Good To Know:
- Opening Time: 10 AM to 5 PM, Wednesday to Sunday, Summer
- Address: Great Carnbargus Farm, Perranporth TR6 0JF
8. Newquay Zoo
- Distance from the park: 7.8 miles
- Travel time: 16-minute drive
Less than 5 miles from Perran Sands, there are many animals to see at this small, well-kept zoo set among the sub-tropical gardens.
There are big cats, lemurs, tropical birds, meerkats and monkeys. Penguin-feeding time and fantastic play areas are among the many attractions at one of Cornwall’s most popular attractions.
Newquay Zoo is also a top conservation charity, so you support research, education, and protection for endangered animals when you visit.
- Outdoor adventure play
- Outdoor seating, undercover picnic areas
- Oriental Gardens
- Village Farm
- Café Lemur near the entrance, Lazy Lion Grill, Meerkat Munchies for ice cream
Good To Know:
- Opening Time: 10 AM to 5 PM, Summer; to 4:30 PM, Winter
- Address: Trenance Gardens, Newquay, Cornwall TR7 2LZ
- Standard Adult Price: £14.85
9. Wheal Coates Tin Mine
- Distance from the park: 8 miles
- Travel time: 20-minute drive
One of Cornwall’s most iconic and picturesque industrial heritage sites, Wheal Coates Tin Mine is set in a breathtaking location high on the cliffs overlooking Chapel Porth beach.
There are stunning views and various good circular coastal paths along the cliffs and back up through the buildings.
- Historic ruins date back to 1870
- Stunning Cornish clifftop setting, magnificent views, film location
- Car park is free to National Trust members
Good To Know:
- Opening Time: 24 Hours, Daily
- Address: Wheal Coates, Beacon Drive, St Agnes, Cornwall TR5 0NT
- Standard Adult Price: Free
10. Elemental UK
- Distance from the park: 21 miles
- Travel time: 50-minute drive
Are you ready for a challenge?
About 5 miles from Perran Sands, Elemental UK is a dynamic adventure centre located on the private, sandy beach at Tolcarne.
Elemental UK offers the chance for all abilities to try a fantastic range of water sports and activities with dedicated, experienced instructors.
This is a perfect choice for groups of friends and families with older children.
- Sailing, windsurfing, canoeing and kayaking
- Coasteering, raft building and power boating
- Qualified, experienced instructors
- State-of-the-art equipment, impeccable safety record
- Beach location
- Changing rooms, showers, toilets
Good To Know:
- Opening Time: Varies upon activity
- Address: Falmouth, Cornwall TR11 5BG
- Standard Adult Price: Varies upon the activity
11. Penrose Water Gardens
- Distance from the park: 2.4 miles
- Travel time: 7-minute drive
Set in a peaceful woodland valley, the gardens comprise 40 ponds with natural spring sources covering 6 acres of marshland, home to various aquatic plants and wildlife.
This relaxing, beautiful haven has an outdoor play area and a great coffee shop.
- Wildlife and water lilies
- Children’s play area
- Café/restaurant
Good To Know:
- Opening Time: 10 AM to 4 PM, Daily
- Address: Shortlanesend, Truro, Cornwall TR4 9ES
- Standard Adult Price: Free
12. Blue Reef Aquarium
- Distance from the park: 8.8 miles
- Travel time: 20-minute drive
Blue Reef Aquarium is situated on Towan Promenade in the centre of Newquay.
There are over 40 displays with close-up encounters with reef sharks, giant octopus, seahorses, piranhas, and an enormous Southern Stingray.
Omiros, the rescued giant turtle, is much loved by people who visit time and again.
There is plenty to see and learn on a fascinating all-weather day out, with the beach on your doorstep.
- Feeding displays
- Rockpool workshops
- Informative talks
- Coral reef display
- Café with amazing views
Good To Know:
- Opening Time: 10 AM to 5 PM, Daily
- Address: Towan Promenade, Newquay, Cornwall TR7 1DU
- Standard Adult Price: £13.75
13. Pirate’s Quest Adventure Gold
- Distance from the park: 8.3 miles
- Travel time: 17-minute drive
Everyone has fun on this 12-hole adventure golf course which involves a voyage through Cornwall’s piracy and smuggling myths and legends.
At Pirate’s Quest, navigate your way through the spooky ship’s graveyard, Davy Jones’ Locker and encounters with kings, giants, and the most notorious legendary characters from Cornish tradition.
Real-life pirate guides accompany you on this unique, new indoor attraction near Perran Sands.
- Online booking recommended
- Shipwrecks, giants, pirates, and kings
- Immersive, interactive, family-friendly
Good To Know:
- Opening Time: 10 AM to 5 PM, Daily
- Address: St Michael’s Road, Newquay, Cornwall TR7 1RA
- Standard Adult Price: £11.50
14. Little Wolf Adventures
- Distance from the park: 2 miles
- Travel time: 7-minute drive
Less than 2 miles from Perran Sands, Little Wolf is a relaxed, enjoyable way to explore the secluded coves and beaches on the Cornish coast while learning safely how to paddle.
Qualified, patient, friendly instructors encourage and support beginners and teach rescue skills in an enjoyable, friendly experience ideal for groups and families with older children.
Good To Know:
- Opening Time: Varies upon activity
- Address: 2 Bolenna Lane, Perranporth TR6 0LB
- Standard Adult Price: Varies upon activity
Final Thoughts On Things to Do near Perran Sands
Perran Sands is more than just a stretch of golden shoreline; it’s a gateway to a wealth of adventures that exemplify the beauty and charm of the Cornish coast.
Whether you’re a returning visitor or a first-time traveller, the allure of Perran Sands and its surroundings beckon with the promise of new memories to be made.
So pack your bags, and your sense of adventure, and come see for yourself why this part of Cornwall remains a beloved destination for many.