Ancient village with a sandy beach
Web: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/cornwall/crantock-beach
Crantock is a charming little village, steeped in history, on the north coast of Cornwall, about four miles to the south-west of the major holiday resort of Newquay and just off the A3075. The population of the village was 720 at the 2011 census.
Crantock dates back to 460AD when a group of Irish hermits founded an oratory there. It has an ancient church - St. Carantoc, two Inns, one of which - The Old Albion - is of considerable antiquity, a charming Tea Garden, Crantock Gallery, and a number of gift shops and newsagents / village stores.
Most visitors come for its beach. Crantock Beach is a broad sand-dune backed beach between the headlands of East and West Pentire. Like several other sandy beaches in the Newquay area, Crantock Beach is popular for surfing.
Behind the beach are the open grassy spaces of the Rushy Green. Holiday accommodation close to the beach is readily available.
Between Crantock village and the south-western fringes of Newquay is the heavily silted-up tidal estuary known as the Gannel. This barrier extends inland for about one mile.
To the south-west, the headland of West Pentire has a hamlet of the same name. The majority of the open spaces hereabouts is owned by the National Trust, whose stewardship has limited any major inappropriate development in this part of Cornwall.
Beyond West Pentire is Porth (or Polly) Joke, an unspoilt cove with only cliffs, ocean and sand, and Kelsey Head beyond. The coastal footpath skirts all along the west side of the parish.
The local village hall has recently undergone a transformation, with money from the National Lottery. The playing field on which the hall is situated was also given a new lease of life and now includes a basketball hoop, climbing facilities, and cricket and football pitches.
The village hall is now three times larger than it was and was the centrepiece of 2007's annual "Jazz in the Park". The village also hosts a street fair known as the "Crantock Summer Fiesta" which has a coconut shy, tombola, raffle and many other stalls.
Crantock Festival - Mid September
Crantock Beach Holywell Newquay The Gannel Estuary The History of Crantock
St. Carantoc Church The Old Albion Inn The Coastal Footpath