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Tours > England's West Country > Perranporth & St. Agnes
 Perranporth & St. Agnes - Cornwall
The resort town of Perranporth and St. Agnes, on the north coast, are former centers of tin-mining when Cornwall supplied early half the world's tin. They are connected by a coastal path that passes some of the old, abandoned mines, but which offers superb sea views. Just outside Perranporth, named after the patron saint of tin miners, is St. Piran's Round, a natural amphitheatre which seated thousands of spectators drawn to the cycle of medieval mystery plays known as the "Ordinalia" performed in the Cornish language. Though extinct since the late 18th century, Cornish (related to Welsh and Breton) is studied by small groups interested in re-learning the ancient Celtic tongue. (Another similar open-air theatre is found at St. Just in Penwith, just before Cornwall meets the Atlantic at Land's End).
The two small towns are now of more importance to swimmers and surfers, though the extensive sand dunes are also popular as is the motor road to the top of 700 ft high St. Agnes Beacon for wonderful views.
Next stop: St. Ives
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