Newquay’s laidback vibe, out of doors actions and elegant seashores have lured nature fanatics, journey seekers, and solar chasers for many years. With a number of fantastic issues to do in Newquay and the encompassing space, prepare for considered one of England’s premier vacation hotspots.
Perched on the cliffs of the southwestern coast of England, Newquay is the surf capital of the UK, fascinating guests with its laidback ambiance. Because the solar descends over a string of huge, sweeping seashores, Newquay seamlessly transitions into the occasion capital of Cornwall.
With buzzing nightlife, a scorching café scene, kid-friendly sights, out of doors actions and good transport hyperlinks, Newquay has firmly established itself as considered one of Cornwall’s most sought-after locations.
From browsing classes to coasteering adventures, day journeys to foodie havens, or tranquil hikes alongside scenic clifftop trails, Newquay delivers a few of the best issues to do in Cornwall.
This Newquay information consists of all the highest sights in your beachside retreat, plus some wonderful day journeys to some of Cornwall’s different gems.
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NEWQUAY, CORNWALL
Newquay is a coastal city situated on the southwestern coast of England within the county of Cornwall, round 250 miles from London.
As a well-liked vacation spot for a seaside escape, there’s a wide array of self-catering vacation cottages in Newquay. Benefit from the surf life-style, golden seashores and dramatic coastlines with all of the comforts of your individual pad.
Newquay has its personal home airport and prepare station making it straightforward to get to your subsequent nice UK getaway.
Tips on how to use this map / Click on on the highest left of the map to show the checklist of areas, then click on on the areas to show additional info. Click on on the highest proper nook of the map to open a bigger model in a brand new tab or the star to avoid wasting to your Google Maps.
THINGS TO DO IN NEWQUAY
As a well-liked seaside vacation spot, Newquay has a lot to maintain you entertained. Listed below are our favorite issues to do in Newquay.
1 – SURF AT FISTRAL BEACH
Fistral Seaside is likely one of the premier browsing locations within the nation. Going through westerly, in direction of the mighty Atlantic Ocean, reliable waves make it a dependable location for good high quality surf. It’s additionally a wonderful broad stretch of seaside with loads of services.
The nice factor is you don’t must be an knowledgeable to surf right here. Fistral Seaside Surf College present classes for particular person or teams year-round and cater to all age ranges and ranges of potential.
Even if you happen to don’t surf, come right here for nightfall, seize a drink on the skin terrace, and watch the surfers lower by way of the waves because the solar drifts beneath the horizon.
Amenities at Fistral Seaside — The Fistral Seaside complicated has a number of eating places together with Rick Stein Fistral, The Fish Home and The Pasty Shack. The Secure specialises in pizza, pies and cider. Bathrooms and scorching showers can be found all year long.
PARKING | FISTRAL BEACH
There’s a respectable measurement automotive half at Fistral Seaside open from 8 am to 12 am | Prices – 1 hour – £2.20 | 2 hours – £3.80 | 3 hours – £6 | 5 hours – £8.50 | 12 hours – £12 | 14 hours – £15
2 – LAZE ON TOWAN BEACH
If Fistral Seaside is for surfers, Towan Seaside is for households and solar worshippers.
Tucked behind a rocky headland and guarded by Towan Head, the calmer waters present protected swimming for younger households and small waves splendid for novice surfers.
It’s additionally an ideal spot for kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding, or for merely stress-free on considered one of Newquay’s greatest seashores.
At low tide the comfortable sand stretches so far as the attention can see, connecting a 2-mile stretch of seaside.
Essentially the most iconic characteristic on the seaside is Jago’s Island, a tall rock stack with a home on high linked to the mainland by a suspension bridge.
PARKING | TOWAN BEACH
The Fore Road Quick Keep Automotive Park is centrally situated and about 10 minutes’ stroll to Towan Seaside | Location – TR7 1LP | Hours – 9 am to six pm | Price – £4.40 for as much as 2 hours.
3 – COASTEER ON THE GAZZLE
Coasteering is an journey exercise exploring the rocky shoreline the place you’ll scramble throughout rocks, leap into deep water swimming pools, dive off cliffs and navigate by way of hidden gullies. It’s an exhilarating expertise and considered one of our favorite issues to do round Newquay.
The perfect place to go coasteering in Newquay is the Gazzle Peninsula, a rocky headland wedged between Fistral and Towan Seashores. This part of the coast has caves, arches, ledges and cliffs to check your ability and your nerve whereas taking in spectacular views.
Organised coasteering experiences final round 2 hours and embrace the usage of a wetsuit, helmet, life jacket, and a professional information who will lead you thru the very best spots, safely.
DETAILS | COASTEERING
No prior expertise is important, however you could be over 12 years previous, have an affordable degree of health and know the right way to swim. Advance reserving is required.
4 – EXPLORE NEWQUAY TOWN CENTRE
Whereas the seashores could be the preliminary drawcard, Newquay city centre has a relaxed vacation vibe with a number of revamped lodges, a flourishing restaurant scene and a brand new give attention to wellness.
Listed below are just a few nice issues to do in Newquay city centre.
- Go to the Blue Reef Aquarium which has 40 themed habitats with freshwater turtles, a creepy caiman and a deepwater tunnel to stroll by way of.
- Go to Newquay Zoo, a registered charity geared toward conserving wildlife and defending uncommon and endangered species.
- Ebook a rejuvenating session on the Fistral Spa with full-day packages together with the usage of the pool and spa services in addition to a 120-minute therapy.
- Have a high quality espresso on the Roasting Room on Financial institution Road
- Seize a drink on the Fort Inn, a energetic bar in top-of-the-line positions in Newquay overlooking Towan Seaside
5 – WALK THE SOUTHWEST COASTAL PATH FROM NEWQUAY TO WATERGATE BAY
The South West Coast Path stretches over 600 miles from Minehead in Somerset to Poole Harbour in Dorset. Alongside its winding journey it passes the wilds of Exmoor, the beach-strewn shores of Devon, and the beautiful Jurassic Coast. A few of its best surroundings is correct subsequent to Newquay.
From Newquay city centre, the hike to Watergate Bay takes about 1 hour half-hour.
Stroll Particulars — The primary thirty minutes passes by way of the city, stopping to miss a string of fairly seashores. The path then heads into the countryside, clinging to the sting of dramatic cliffs with the Atlantic on one facet and sheep-strewn fields on the opposite. Simply because it passes the Hangout Café it descends to the beautiful seaside of Watergate Bay.
Returning — You possibly can hike again the way in which you got here (marked purple on the map above) or, if you happen to time your journey to return round low tide, you may keep away from the part on the town and stroll alongside the sand through Lusty Glaze Seaside, Tolcarne Seaside, Nice Western Seaside and Towan Seaside.
Watergate Bay to Newquay Bus — In the event you don’t wish to stroll again, it’s quarter-hour again to Newquay on the quantity 56 bus.
DAY TRIPS FROM NEWQUAY
Newquay is nicely situated to discover the central northern part of Cornwall. These are the very best day journeys from Newquay (in our opinion) and will be carried out with a automotive or through public transport.
6 – WATERGATE BAY
There are few finer browsing seashores within the UK than Watergate Bay. Going through southwest in direction of the Atlantic rollers, the gently sloping sandy seaside and constant swell is a mecca for wave-riding fanatics seeking to expertise one of many greatest journey actions within the UK.
We had our first surf lesson with Wavehunters on the Excessive Academy at Watergate Bay, who did an ideal job at getting two full amateurs driving our first waves into shore.
If the wind is up and the waves not taking part in properly, kitesurfing is one other nice possibility. Atlantic Riders provide newbie, intermediate and gifted rider classes in both 1-on-1 or 2-on-1 tuition.
In the event you don’t wish to hit the waves, Watergate Bay is a stupendous location close to Newquay with a calming, occasion ambiance. Come for sundown, and watch the surfers catch the previous few waves of the day.
Tips on how to get to Watergate Bay from Newquay – 1 hour 30-minute stroll alongside coastal path (see above), 10-minute drive, or quarter-hour on the quantity 56 bus adopted by a 5-minute stroll.
7 – BEDRUTHAN ROCKS
Simply north of Newquay, one of many greatest issues to do in Cornwall is to {photograph} the majestic Bedruthan Rocks.
Pounding surf has break up a number of huge rocky stacks away from the primary headland, leaving them stranded within the sea. Legend has it {that a} big known as Bedruthan used the large stacks as stepping-stones to shorten his journey throughout the bay.
Right now, they make an ideal point of interest for a photograph on a hike across the headland. At excessive tide, the rocks rise out of the ocean, however at low tide the bases are surrounded by sand.
Footpath to the Bedruthan Rocks — Sadly, the primary footpath down from Carnewas was blocked by landslides in 2019 and 2021 and is presently closed. There’s one other path all the way down to the seaside somewhat additional north however if you happen to determine to make use of it, you could contemplate the tide instances fastidiously. It’s not attainable to return when the tide rises and other people frequently must be airlifted off the seaside having underestimated the velocity of the tide.
Tips on how to get to Bedruthan Rocks from Newquay – Bedruthan is a 20-minute drive from Newquay. Alternatively, it’s round 35 minutes on the quantity 56 bus to Mawgan Porth adopted by a beautiful 30-minute stroll alongside the cliffs.
8 – PADSTOW
Earlier than well-known chef Rick Stein arrived in Padstow in 1975 and opened The Seafood Restaurant, it was little greater than a quiet fishing village with a fairly harbour surrounded by nation strolls.
As Rick Stein’s notoriety rose and cooks like Paul Ainsworth opened Paul Ainsworth at No.6, the city grew to become a vacation spot for foodies across the nation.
Right now Padstow’s slim streets and fairly harbour are sometimes rammed with vacationers and eating places typically have queues streaming out the door. It nonetheless has some appeal, however you definitely received’t have the place to your self.
To profit from Padstow we extremely suggest reserving a restaurant upfront moderately than strolling round searching for someplace. It’s additionally somewhat quieter early within the morning.
Tips on how to get to Padstow from Newquay – It’s a 35-minute drive from Padstow to Newquay, or 90 minutes on the quantity 56 bus (it may be faster to get the 95 bus and alter at Padstow Fork to the quantity 11 bus).
9 – CRANTOCK & HOLYWELL BAY, WEST PENTIRE
Simply throughout a slim inlet from Newquay, the West Pentire headland has three pristine seashores.
Crantock Seaside — Backed by dunes that are criss-crossed by paths, Crantock Seaside is a big expanse of golden sand that feels a mile away from the busier tempo of Newquay. There’s a rest room within the automotive park and in summer time months a van sells refreshments from the automotive park.
Polly Joke Seaside — Somewhat additional across the coast, Polly Joke Seaside is a small cove fully untouched by commercialism. Its turquoise waters, funnelled by two headlands, lap at pristine sands. It’s a delightfully quiet spot in Cornwall.
Holywell Bay — Backed by 60-foot dunes with cliffs on both facet, Holywell Bay is a gloriously sheltered seaside and an ideal place to sit back for the day. There’s a rest room within the automotive park and St Agnes Ices promote snacks from April to October. Extra particulars are in our information to the very best hidden gems in Cornwall.
WEST PENTIRE HIKE
A fantastic day journey from Newquay is to stroll the South West Coast Path from Crantock Seaside to Polly Joke Seaside, after which on to Holywell Bay. All the hike takes about 1 hour to 90 minutes with loads of nice locations to cease for a swim.
Both return the way in which you got here or use the quantity 85 bus to finish the circuit.
Tips on how to get to Crantock Seaside & Holywell Seashores from Newquay – Each Crantock Seaside and Holywell Seaside have Nationwide Belief Automotive Parks (each 15-minute’s drive from Newquay). The quantity 85 bus leaves Newquay and stops at Crantock (25-minutes) earlier than heading onto Holywell Seaside (an additional 10 minutes) enabling you to stroll a technique and get the bus again.
10 – ST AGNES HEAD
South of Newquay, the St Agnes headland has a few of the best surroundings in Cornwall. The ruins of previous mines stand above heather and gorse-clad cliffs that drop into turquoise oceans. Dotted with wildflowers in spring and a swathe of purple in late summer time, this most stunning stretch of coastal path conceals two well-kept secrets and techniques.
Firstly, Wheal Coates is a well-preserved mining damage constructed into the cliffs, whose construction stands in stark distinction to the countryside that surrounds it.
Secondly, Porthtowan Tidal Pool is a walled-off pool beneath the headland that’s solely revealed just a few hours both facet of low tide. It’s one of many greatest locations to go to in Cornwall, with a dramatic setting and a cool spot to have a soak.
ITINERARY | ST AGNES HEAD
Take a stroll across the headland stopping at Wheal Coates then take a dip in Porthtowan Tidal Pool. Chill out on the seaside then seize a beer from the Blue Bar. End with dinner on the Faucet Home.
Tips on how to get to St Agnes from Newquay – St Agnes is a 30-minute drive from Newquay, or 50 minutes on the U1A Coast to Coast bus.
WHERE TO STAY IN NEWQUAY
As one of the crucial sought-after vacation locations within the UK, Newquay has no scarcity of lodging choices. Whether or not you might be searching for a family-friendly vacation, a dog-friendly cottage or a hideaway for 2, Side Holidays affords a variety of self-catering vacation cottages in Newquay and throughout Cornwall.
With such a spectacular panorama, deal with your self to a cottage with sea views in Cornwall, profiting from the county’s greatest belongings.
In the event you’d choose to be near city, browse the checklist of completely positioned cottages in Newquay to begin planning your journey.
HOW TO GET TO NEWQUAY
By Automotive – Newquay is roughly a 3-hour drive from Bristol and a 5-hour drive from London or Birmingham.
By Practice – On weekends direct trains run from London Paddington to Newquay (through Exeter and Plymouth) taking simply over 5 hours. On weekdays it could require 1 change.
By Sooner Practice — There are additionally sooner trains (3 hours 45 minutes) that arrive at Bodmin Parkway Practice Station which is a 30-minute taxi drive from Newquay. Alternatively, you may rent a automotive from Bodmin during your journey.
By Air – Newquay has a small home airport with arrivals from throughout the UK together with London, Manchester, Belfast, and the Isles of Scilly. It’s a 15-minute cab journey or 25 minutes on the quantity 56 bus from the airport to Newquay city centre.
GETTING AROUND NEWQUAY
The quickest method to discover the world round Newquay is by automotive. It lets you get additional faster. Nevertheless, in peak summer time months the roads will be very busy, and you will want to get to the premium areas early to seize a parking spot.
NEWQUAY BUS ROUTES
On the centre of bus service that runs up and down the coast, Newquay is likely one of the greatest cities in Cornwall to go to and not using a automotive.
WHEN TO VISIT NEWQUAY
PEAK SUMMER (JULY & AUGUST)
The 2 hottest months of the yr in Newquay are July and August, when common excessive temperatures attain 20°C. The nice and cozy climate coinciding with UK faculty holidays makes it a very talked-about vacation spot for summer time holidays. The seashores are of their prime, all of the out of doors journey actions are working, and the entire city is a buzz.
SHOULDER SEASONS (MAY & JUNE / SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER)
The shoulder months round summer time will be a wonderful time to go to Newquay. The crowds are tremendously diminished and there may be nonetheless an opportunity of some effective climate with common highs starting from 15 to 18°C.
In spring, wildflowers dot the cliffs making for some fantastic climbing and in early autumn the hills are glowing with purple heather. September, particularly, generally is a nice time to go to Newquay because the water remains to be a heat 15°C.
WINTER SEASON (NOVEMBER TO APRIL)
In winter common excessive temperatures drop to round 6°C and far of Newquay shuts down. However in case you are seeking to hike the coastal path and discover the dramatic cliffs in peace and quiet, it’s a really stress-free time to go to.
This information was produced in partnership with Distinctive hideaways.
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