Penhale Sands

Penhale Sands, or Penhale Dunes, is a complex of sand dunes and a protected area for its wildlife, on the north Cornwall coast in England, UK. It is the most extensive system of sand dunes in Cornwall and is believed to be the landing site of Saint Piran. Dating from the 6th century, St Piran's Oratory is thought to be one of the oldest Christian sites in Britain. The remains were discovered in the late 18th century, and in 2014 the covering sand was removed to reveal a building more than a thousand years old, in a reasonable state of preservation. A restricted military area dating from 1939, Penhale Camp, is found on the northern part of the dunes. The area has been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest since 1953 and became a Special Area of Conservation in 2004. The South West Coast Path runs through the dunes. GeographyThe sands are located 5mi south-west of the town of Newquay, in the civil parish of Perranzabuloe, stretching for over 2. 5mi between Perranporth in the south and Holywell to the north, with the Atlantic Ocean and Perran Beach to the west. The Cornish sand dunes are thought to have formed over 5, 000 years ago as sea levels rose to approximately their present levels. Penhale Sands are the largest dune system within Cornwall and has a maximum depth of 48m of sand. The system, of over 650ha, extends for more than 1mi inland and includes Reen Sands, Gear Sands and Perransands.

Penhale Sands, or Penhale Dunes, is a complex of sand dunes and a protected area for its wildlife, on the north Cornwall coast in England, UK. It is the most extensive system of sand dunes in Cornwall and is believed to be the landing site of Saint Piran. Dating from the 6th century, St Piran's Oratory is thought to be one of the oldest Christian sites in Britain. The remains were discovered in the late 18th century, and in 2014 the covering sand was removed to reveal a building more than a thousand years old, in a reasonable state of preservation. A restricted military area dating from 1939, Penhale Camp, is found on the northern part of the dunes. The area has been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest since 1953 and became a Special Area of Conservation in 2004. The South West Coast Path runs through the dunes. GeographyThe sands are located 5mi south-west of the town of Newquay, in the civil parish of Perranzabuloe, stretching for over 2. 5mi between Perranporth in the south and Holywell to the north, with the Atlantic Ocean and Perran Beach to the west. The Cornish sand dunes are thought to have formed over 5, 000 years ago as sea levels rose to approximately their present levels. Penhale Sands are the largest dune system within Cornwall and has a maximum depth of 48m of sand. The system, of over 650ha, extends for more than 1mi inland and includes Reen Sands, Gear Sands and Perransands.