Par brings together the coast, nature and a distinctive local history. If you are considering Par as a place to stay, you can first decide whether the beach, nature watching or history should shape your trip.
Beach, Wind and Coastal Path
Par Sands Beach is a broad sandy stretch with low dunes near the village of Par, four miles from St Austell. The open beach landscape and low dunes give the coastal theme a clear profile; its location near the village also connects it to the town. The distance from St Austell adds a second geographical reference. If the beach landscape is central to your choice, Par Sands can be seen as a distinctive part of the town's profile.
Par Sands is suitable for kitesurfing and windsurfing thanks to southwesterly winds. Both activities are linked to the same wind conditions. If you are choosing where to stay based on your interest in watersports, you can take this common feature into account and choose between two related but distinct activities.
The coastal path from Par to Polperro is another distinct feature: near Par Sands, it runs partly along the National Cycle Network.
Nature to Explore
Par Beach includes the Par Beach and St Andrews Road Local Nature Reserve. Wild birds and orchids can be observed at Par Nature Reserve. Alongside the beach and watersports, this offers a specific focus for nature lovers: a named local reserve, as well as wildlife to look out for among the birds and plants. If you are choosing Par for more than just its coastal landscape, these nature themes can play a distinct role in your decision.
Harbour and Local History
Par was developed as a mineral harbour in the 1830s. Kaolin was shipped from Par around the world. The harbour's development places Par in a specific historical period; the worldwide shipment of kaolin also gives the town a trading perspective that extends beyond Cornwall. If you want to connect your stay with industrial history, this offers a different way to explore Par than through its beach and watersports.
The Biscovey Stone stands in the churchyard of St Mary's Church in Par. It is an early Christian memorial stone and also the shaft of a wayside cross. This description makes it a single monument with two closely connected aspects: commemoration and a cross shaft. Unlike the history of the harbour and kaolin trade, the focus here is on a specific monument. For travellers interested in early Christian heritage, it offers a distinct connection to the town's history.
Rainforest Biome at the Eden Project site
The Eden Project site in Bodelva, Par, Cornwall, includes a Rainforest Biome. This adds another named point of interest alongside the beach, nature and history. If you would like to include the Eden Project in your stay, check the latest visitor information beforehand, as operational details may change.
Discover more destinations: Saint Gennys, Torpoint, Feock, Perranporth, North Tamerton, Truro, Edmonton, Bodinnick
For the broader travel overview: Cornwall.
