Territory capital · United Kingdom
ParAn Porth
Spend a half‑day (4–6 h) in Par: beach walk, Hidden Valley Gardens, and Luxulyan Valley trail; stay overnight if you want a quiet night by the sea.
Par is a small fishing village on South Cornwall’s coast. Its main attractions – the nature‑reserve beach, family‑run Hidden Valley Gardens and the historic Luxulyan Valley – are close together, so a few hours suffice. Overnight accommodation is limited to a caravan park and a modest inn.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GBP
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Nov–Feb (cool, limited services)
- Airport
- NQY
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
- Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
- United Kingdom ↗Most visitors who do not need a UK visa now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling; this includes EU nationals. Irish citizens are exempt. Check the UK government site for your passport.
- United Kingdom ↗The UK is outside the EU and the Schengen area; a Schengen visa is not valid for the UK.
- United Kingdom ↗Driving is on the left; London has congestion and emissions charges for most vehicles, so do not drive in the city.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Par999 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Par, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the pound sterling (GBP, £).United Kingdom-wide
- SIM or eSIMEE, Vodafone (merged with Three in 2025) and O2 run the networks; prepaid SIMs sell in supermarkets, phone shops and airport vending machines…United Kingdom-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere.United Kingdom-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurant with table service: 10–12.5% if no service charge is on the bill; check before adding more.United Kingdom-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United Kingdom-wide
- SafetyPar is a low‑crime coastal village; standard UK precautions apply.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are scarce and some charge 50p–£1 (≈ US$2) or are card-only.United Kingdom-wide
- Emergency numbers999 police · 999 fire and ambulance · 111 Non‑urgent medical
- Sundays & holidaysShops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 or 11:00–16:00 or 17:00).Shops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 AM or 11:00 AM–4:00 PM or 5:00 PM).United Kingdom-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportNQY Newquay Airport (≈30 km (19 mi) north, shuttle or taxi about 45 min).NQY Newquay Airport (≈19 mi (30 km) north, shuttle or taxi about 45 min).
- Getting aroundPar railway station on the Cornish Main Line (Plymouth‑Penzance) offers hourly services; local buses run to St Austell and Fowey.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a café£2–£3 (≈ US$3–4)
- BeerBeer (pub)£3–£5 (≈ US$4–7)
- Metro or bus rideBus ticket (local)£2–£3 (≈ US$3–4)
- Budget bedCaravan pitch, a night, per person£15 (≈ US$20)
- Mid-range bedDouble room at The Royal Inn, a night, per room£70 (≈ US$95)
- High-end bedDouble room at The Royal Inn, a night, per room£100 (≈ US$140)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget £30 (≈ US$40) · Mid £55 (≈ US$75) · High £80 (≈ US$110)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- NQY Newquay Airport (≈30 km (19 mi) north, shuttle or taxi about 45 min)NQY Newquay Airport (≈19 mi (30 km) north, shuttle or taxi about 45 min)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Feb
Avoid
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Mar
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Apr
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
May
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jun
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jul
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Aug
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Sep
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Oct
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Nov
Avoid
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Dec
Avoid
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)), coolest Jan (5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C) low), wettest Jan (12 rain days), driest Jul (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Par: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
12 rd
Feb
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
11 rd
Mar
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
10 rd
Apr
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
9 rd
May
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
8 rd
Jun
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
7 rd
Jul
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
6 rd
Aug
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
6 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
7 rd
Oct
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
9 rd
Nov
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
11 rd
Dec
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
12 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Par railway station on the Cornish Main Line (Plymouth‑Penzance) offers hourly services; local buses run to St Austell and Fowey. Walking is easiest for the main sights.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
St Austell
goDoor to door: ≈20 min total
Train from Par, about 10 min
Main shopping and the China Clay Museum
Fowey
goDoor to door: ≈30 min
Bus from Par, about 20 min
Harbour and historic streets
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Park Leisure – Par Sands
Caravan park on the beach; good disabled access around site
The Royal Inn
Small inn in the village centre
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- £30–£45 (≈ US$40–60) excl. bed
- Mid
- £45–£70 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
- High
- £70 (≈ US$95)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room at The Royal Inn1 × 1 night × £70 | £70 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × £55 | £110 |
| Par railway station return ticket from St Austell2 × £5 · check | £10 |
| Entry to Hidden Valley Gardens2 × £8 · check | £16 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | £21 |
| Trip total≈ £114 per person per day, bed included | £227≈ US$350 |
2026 estimate in GBP; transport and accommodation excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at a café | £2–£3 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Fish & chips takeaway | £5–£8 (≈ US$7–11) |
| Beer (pub) | £3–£5 (≈ US$4–7) |
| Bus ticket (local) | £2–£3 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Caravan pitch (seasonal) | £15–£25 (≈ US$20–35) per night |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Beach access for wheelchairs is limited; bring a beach‑wheelchair if needed (check local provision).
- Seasonal opening of Hidden Valley Gardens – verify dates on the official site.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 999
- Fire and ambulance
- 999
- Non‑urgent medical
- 111
Pocket card
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ParAn Porth
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police999
- Fire/ambulance999
- Non‑urgent medical111
Embassy
UK consular services are in Truro (check address).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Par ↔ St Austell train: about £5 (≈ US$7) each way (check)
- Par ↔ Fowey bus: about £3 (≈ US$4) each way (check)
Say or show
- Sorry — Excuse me / Sorry
- Thank you — Thank you
- How much is it? — How much is it?
- Where is the toilet? — Where is the toilet?
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Par. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Nov–Feb (cool, limited services) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a day for a full Luxulyan Valley hike (2 h walk).
- Combine with a visit to the Eden Project (bus from St Austell).
Sources
Ask about Par
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