Mawgan Porth

Mawgan Porth Beach (tide in)

Surfers at Mawgan Porth at sunset

Mawgan Porth is a beach and small settlement in north Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. It is situated north of Watergate Bay approximately four miles (6 km) north of Newquay,^[1] on the Atlantic Ocean coast.

Mawgan Porth is in the civil parish of Mawgan-in-Pydar at the seaward end of the Vale of Lanherne (or Vale of Mawgan) where the River Menalhyl discharges into the sea. The hamlet consists of a pub, a general store, and several hotels, guest houses and caravan parks.

The sandy beach, backed by dunes with cliffs at each end, is quality-assessed and supervised by lifeguards during the summer. It is a popular surfing location. The South West Coast Path passes behind the beach and the area attracts holiday-makers^[2]

History

In the years 1949-52, 1954 and 1974, excavations revealed a settlement of the Late Saxon Period comprising three groups of buildings ('courtyard houses') and a burial ground dating from around 850-1050. Finds included pottery and stone artefacts.^[3]

References

1. ^ Ordnance Survey: Landranger map sheet 200 Newquay & Bodmin ISBN 9780319229385
2. ^ "The top 20 beach holidays (in the World)". London: Sunday Times Online. 2007-01-14. http://travel.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/travel/holiday_type/beach/article1292126.ece. Retrieved 2007-07-15. 
3. ^ Bruce-Mitford, R. Mawgan Porth; a settlement of the Late Saxon Period on the North Cornish Coast: Excavations 1949-52, 1954 and 1974. London: English Heritage ISBN 978-1850746133

Coordinates: 50°28′N 5°02′W / 50.467°N 5.033°W / 50.467; -5.033