Chapel Rock Pool: Cornwall's most unusual tidal pool

Chapel Rock Pool is one of Cornwall’s quirkier tidal pools, hiding inside a little rocky outcrop in the middle of Perranporth Beach. At low tide it’s set so far back from the sea that from above it looks like it’s completely marooned.

It’s only when you understand just how dramatic Cornwall’s tides are that you realise it is filled by fresh sea water every single day. It’s a fun spot and surrounded by lots of cool sea caves and rock arches which makes a visit here very memorable.

However, hidden gem this isn’t. Perranporth Beach is one of Cornwall’s busiest and a favourite of dog walkers, so if you want any chance of serenity you need to come early in the morning, or at least avoid summertime. Here’s what to expect from a visit to Chapel Rock Pool.

The walk to Chapel Rock Pool

The stats

Distance: 400m (0.25 miles) each way
Elevation gain: Flat
Difficulty: Easy
Trailhead: Promenade Car Park, Perranporth

A note on the tide and swell

Contrary to many online sources, you do not need to visit this rockpool at low tide. Unless it’s an exceptionally high tide, all but a couple of hours either side of high tide will mean the pool is accessible.

However, if you want it to be completely cut off from the sea, then you want a low to mid tide. In the hour between mid and high tide the water begins coming back in.

In terms of swell, it’s completely cut off from the sea at the times mentioned so you can visit during any swell.

Reaching the pool

If you heed the above advice - and either come in the off season or early in the morning - you will be able to park at the Promenade car park directly behind the beach.

From here you simply need to walk across the bridge and along the sand towards the large rocky outcrop proudly flying the Cornish flag.

It’s pretty hard to miss and you can see it from the other end of the beach (it’s 400m across the sand from the car park). You won’t see the pool until you climb up the rocks.

Swimming at Chapel Rock Pool

Getting into the pool is easy enough on either side. You just need to climb a few steps up and over the rocks and then you can drop into the pool, which is relatively shallow around the edges.

Though it’s naturally filled by the sea there are retaining walls to hold the water in, so it’s only partially natural. It’s quite small but if you get it to yourself there’s enough room for a little swim.

It’s not overly deep either so it’s a nice spot for families.

In truth this is far from one of the most beautiful rockpools in Cornwall, but it is quirky and unique due to its setting. I think it looks more fun from above when it appears rather like a large coffin.

In peak season, anytime other than early morning (or possibly late evening) there’s only room to bob around in the water as it doesn’t take many people for the pool to feel busy. We visited at 9am in July and there were a few people around, I had perhaps five minutes without anyone at all, but it soon got much busier.

I am glad to have experienced it, but it’s not a patch on some of Cornwall’s truly spectacular natural tidal pools in my eyes.

The caves and arches

The best caves and arches are on the left side of the beach (when facing the sea), approximately 100m from the rockpool and you can’t miss them.

They really are quite incredible with large picturesque arches you can walk through, small caves and even tiny pools you can dip in beneath the rocks. Again, expect them all to be very busy in peak season. And when I say busy, I mean really busy.

Perranporth Beach caves

There are rockfalls signs around so you should enter at your own risk, although we did enjoy exploring all the little caves we didn’t linger anywhere there was evidence of rockfall.

Perranporth Beach caves

A few hours either side of low tide and when the swell is slight you can also walk round to further sea caves and even out to the window-like arch you can see in the distance (beyond the main caves and arches).

You could poke around the best of this area in just 10 minutes, but allowing more time will allow you to explore all the nooks and crannies.

Parking at Perranporth Beach

There is a car park directly behind the beach (Promenade Car Park, postcode TR6 0JN), which you can see here on Google maps. The current charges are:

  • Up to 1 hour: £1

  • Up to 2 hours: £3

  • Up to 4 hours: £6

  • Up to 6 hours: £8

  • Up to 8 hours: £11

  • Up to 24 hours: £16

If this is full there’s another large car park - Wheal Leisure Car Park - which is a 0.2 mile/5 minute flat walk away. It’s more expensive for short stays, but better if you plan on staying for 6 hours of more. The charges are:

  • Up to 1 hour: £2.30

  • 1 - 2 hours: £4.60

  • 2 - 3 hours: £5.80

  • 3 - 4 hours: £6.80

  • 24 hours: £10.50

Perranporth is located 15 minutes from Newquay and 40 minutes from Falmouth and Padstow.

Keep them wild

Please remember to take all rubbish with you and keep these places wild and pristine - as with anywhere in the outdoors. It’s important to leave them exactly as you found them so they will remain beautiful for generations to come.

Litter tends to breed litter, so if you do spot any and are able to pick it up and dispose of it outside the area, it will go a long way to keeping the area clean.