🚗 Porth Farm Car Park – The Complete Perranporth & Coast Path Parking Guide
Porth Farm – National Trust parking, pay & display, free evenings & Sundays, gateway to South West Coast Path.
🚗 Type: Public Pay & Display Car Park (National Trust)
🕒 Open: Enforcement 08:00–18:00 daily; free evenings (18:00–08:00), all day Sunday & Bank Holidays
🌟 Rating: N/A (National Trust facility)
💰 Pricing & Permits
Tariffs (08:00–18:00):
Up to 1 h: £1.00
Up to 2 h: £2.00
Up to 4 h (max stay): £4.00
Payment Methods:
Pay & Display machines (coins, contactless card)
National Trust Parking app (pre-pay via member account)
National Trust Members: Free parking (display membership card)
Blue Badge Holders: Free when badge displayed; still register at machine
📊 Capacity & Physical Features
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total Spaces | ~80 bays |
| Disabled Bays | 4 marked bays (adjacent to visitor hub) |
| Surface | Compact gravel with drainage channels |
| Lighting | Solar-powered bollard lights (dusk–dawn) |
| Security | CCTV covering entrance & hub; NT ranger patrols |
| Signage | National Trust directional signs & tariff boards |
| Machine Location | Two machines—entrance and near visitor information kiosk |
♿ Accessibility & Adapted Facilities
Accessible Bays: Four bays by visitor hub—level access to paths
Drop-Off Zone: Pull-in beside main kiosk for loading/unloading
Pathway Surfacing: Compact crushed stone; gentle gradients onto coast path
Seating & Shelter: Picnic benches and solar shelter at hub
🔌 EV Infrastructure & Nearby Options
On-Site Charging: None currently installed
Nearest Public Chargers:
Perranporth Village CP: 2×7 kW Pod Point, 5 min drive
Truro Station MSCP: 4×22 kW rapid, 15 min drive
📅 Demand Patterns & Seasonal Variations
| Period | Occupancy | User Profile |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) weekends | 70 % | Coast walkers & day-trippers |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) daily | 95 % | Tourists & surfers |
| Autumn weekdays | 50 % | Local walkers |
| Winter off-peak | 30 % | Quiet exploration |
Pro Tip: Arrive before 10:00 in summer to secure a bay; evenings after 18:00 are always free.
🚶 Walkability & Trail Access
| Destination | Walk Time | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| South West Coast Path Entry | Adjacent | Direct access to cliff-top and beach routes |
| Porth Farm Visitor Hub | 1 min | Information, toilets & NT shop |
| Perranporth Beach | 5 min | Surfing, sand dunes & café |
| National Trust Coastal Walks | From hub | Waymarked circular & linear routes |
🛒 Nearby Amenities & Services
Essentials
Public Toilets: Visitor hub (free for members; pay-by-card for non-members)
NT Shop & Cafe: At hub – refreshments & maps
Picnic Area: Tables overlooking cove
Local Services
Perranporth Post Office & Stores: 5 min walk
Surf Hire & Lessons: Beachside kiosks
⚠️ Important Notices & Byelaws
Enforcement: 08:00–18:00 daily by NT wardens; Pay & Display ticket required
Overstay Penalty: £70 PCN (reduced to £35 if paid within 14 days)
Vehicle Size: Max height 2.2 m; larger vehicles by prior arrangement
Maintenance: Gravel grading & machine servicing monthly
📌 Visitor Tips
NT Membership: Free parking and discounts—join online or at hub.
Blue Badge Holders: Display badge and register at machine for free stay.
Early Bird: Sunrise walkers benefit from free pre-pay option via app.
Weather Alert: Exposed to winds—check forecast before coastal walks.
🔮 Future Developments & Planning
2025 Q2: Installation of solar canopy over machines for weather protection
2025 Q3: Feasibility study for 4×7 kW EV chargers (NT sustainability fund)
2026: Proposal to extend by +20 bays on adjacent field (planning ref: NT/PLN/2024/1052)
Accessibility Audit: Full review of path gradients & signage in early 2026
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