Newquay
TewynblustriWhere life is always well-lived
Perched on Cornwall’s Atlantic Coast and bordered by several miles of golden beaches, it’s no wonder Newquay is one of the nation’s favourite seaside towns. It’s a place for the entire family to relax and enjoy a proper holiday out on the beach.
Plenty of places to eat and drink
The last few years have seen Newquay blossom as a destination for lovers of good food, with restaurants such as Rick Steins’ Fistral taking advantage of the beachside views and fresh-caught fish to serve a classic seaside meal whilst watching the surf.
But it’s not all fish, there’s any number of eateries located all over the town, serving everything from Cornish pasties to fish and chips, international cuisine and much, much more.
The surfing capital of Britain
If you find yourself wishing you could surf, but have never got round to it, then there’s no better time to learn than when in Newquay. There are multiple surf schools all across the town, taking on skill levels from learner to expert.
If surfing’s not quite your cup of tea, there’s plenty of other watersports to learn, including kite surfing, Stand up paddle boarding, windsurfing and wave skiing
It’s no secret that one of Newquay’s greatest features is its beaches. There’s a different beach for every day of the week, with an array of activities at each one. From Fistral where Britain’s greatest surfing events are very often held, to the family friendly Towan Beach right in the centre of town, or the outlying beaches at Crantock and Watergate Bay.
A History of Newquay
A new quay was built where the protected harbour still sits at the western end of Towan Beach in the mid 15th century, so giving the town its name. It remained little more than a fishing village for 400 years or so, until the railway arrived in 1876, at which time it ran all the way to the South Pier and out to the now isolated jetty.
Hotels soon developed with the Headland Hotel opening in the summer of 1900. It catered for those with money, its lavishly decorated rooms unrivalled in Cornwall. By the 1960s Newquay had become a popular family resort with guest houses, here, there and everywhere. Holiday parks sprang up in the countryside nearby, including Hendra which opened in the early 1970s.
By the millennium Newquay had got itself a bit of a reputation as the party capital of the south-west and many were put off visiting by the behaviour of a few. Thankfully most of that sort of thing has stopped, though you can still come to Newquay and have a good time, which is what a holiday is all about.
Newquay's already lively atmosphere is given a huge boost by its annual festivals and events, the biggest probably being the Boardmasters Festival, a combination of surfing and music that attracts not only some of the world’s best surfers, but also top bands and singers from across the globe. Away from that, there are fish festivals, beer festivals, open air theatre and a host of other events packed into the year.
Things to do
Hundreds of restaurants, a beach for every day of the week, and to top it all off, it’s all wrapped up in the most incredible coastal scenery. Newquay is a seaside town that you just wouldn’t want to miss.
Away from the beaches and the surf, there’s no shortage of other attractions in the area. Newquay Zoo is conveniently located near the centre of Newquay and has a host of exotic animals to see. There’s an aquarium, a cinema, skate park, boating lake, fun for all the family at Lappa Valley and the National Trust’s Trerice Manor a short distance out of town. There are all forms of golf from crazy to challenging, and none of Cornwall’s other great attractions are too far away.
Accommodation in Newquay
Trevornick Holiday Park
5* family holiday park set in a spectacular location within a stone's throw of the beautiful Holywell Bay beach. With sand dunes and salty air, coupled with first-class facilities, this beautifully pr...
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Hendra Holiday Park
5 star family-owned site nestled in the Cornish countryside. Just outside of Newquay. We are within easy access of Newquay’s 7 golden sand beaches, amazing local attractions, as well as our range of o...
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Watergate Bay Hotel
All the great things you'd find in a mountain resort - on a spectacular beach on the North Cornwall coast near Newquay. An an irresistible combination of dramatic coastline, adrenaline sports, gorgeou...
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Lewinnick Lodge
Pentire Headland offers the perfect destination for this hotel. The essence of boutique coastal-chic, each in a bespoke palette of neutral Farrow & Ball showcasing the fabulous sea and headland views....
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Atlantic Reach Resort
Atlantic Reach Resort is home to a wide range of self-catering holiday accommodation, a spacious campsite, world-class leisure club, two swimming pools, traditional pub, modern café, outdoor play area...
See accommodationThings to do in Newquay
Flynqy Pilot Training
Take the controls, fly a plane and discover the wonders of Cornwall from the air with a hand’s on flying experience from Cornwall Airport Newquay.
Newquay, Mawgan PorthRead more
Oasis Fun Pools
The Oasis Fun Pools at Hendra Holiday Park is open to residents and non-residents: join us from 10am daily.
NewquayRead more
Newquay Sea Safaris & Fishing
Join the motley crew for a spectacular ocean adventure aboard their top Cornish boats 'Atlantic Diver' or 'Bounty'.
NewquayRead moreEating out
The Plume of Feathers
A family-owned 16th century dining pub with rooms, where rural charm meets modern chic. Dine on British pub classics with an imaginative twist in the heart of Cornwall.
Newquay, TruroRead more
Lewinnick Lodge Restaurant
Whether dining in the restaurant, bar or sun terrace, the ocean views from this restaurant are unrivalled.
NewquayRead more
Bowgie Inn
Situated on the West Pentire Headland, sandwiched between the unspoiled beaches of Crantock and Porth "Polly" Joke, the Bowgie Inn is the perfect location.
NewquayRead morePlan your trip
Everything you need to know to plan your perfect trip to Newquay
Cornwall Airport Newquay is five miles (8km) north-east of Newquay and is served by the Newquay to Padstow bus service (Number 56). The international airport offers daily, all year round services from a number of British airports and a handful of European destinations.
Coming by car, from the end of the M5 at Exeter follow the A30 to Cornwall and then take the A392 to the village of Quintrell Downs. For the eastern side of town turn right here onto the A3058, but for the western side carry straight on across the roundabout.
Newquay has a mixture of Cornwall Council run car parks and privately run car parks, all are normally ‘pay and display’. Detailed information such as location maps, postcodes, charges and conditions for Cornwall Council run car parks are on their website.
In 2022 Newquay Park and Ride 2022 opened on the western outskirts of the town. You can park for free in a field off the roundabout near Hendra Holiday Park and then catch the 21 Go Cornwall Bus into Newquay.
Newquay train station is in the centre of town not far from Great Western Beach and is served by a branchline from Par. Par Station is just outside St Austell on the Cornish mainline, which connects Penzance to the rest of England, including London Paddington.
Newquay is part of the National Express and Megabus network and the Bus Station is on Manor Road, just off the town centre.
Local direct bus services run from Truro, Padstow, and St Austell, but most buses to and from destinations further than 15miles (22km) will involve changes, for example Newquay to St Ives or Falmouth involve changing at Truro.
In 2022 Newquay Park and Ride 2022 opened on the western outskirts of the town. You can park for free in a field off the roundabout near Hendra Holiday Park and then catch the 21 Go Cornwall Bus into Newquay.
FAQs
View allThere has been a lot of bad press about Newquay over the years, but it is still the most popular resort town in Cornwall. It may not be for everybody, but if you are looking for a beach holiday, somewhere with some nightlife or great surf, then you should consider Newquay!
On the other hand, if you want to visit Cornwall to find solitude on a secluded beach or go in search of Ross Poldark, you might want to look elsewhere.
Newquay is in Cornwall, though there is also a Newquay in Devon, but it's an abandoned industrial port on the Tamar Riverl? There is also a New Quay on the West Wales coast, but neither are as nice as the Cornish one!
Yes, it sits just behind the main beaches and town and is dotted with individual and specialist local shops, restaurants and cafes, as well as some well known national chains. Being Newquay, there's also a large number of surf shops and boutiques aimed at the surfing and beach-loving visitors.
Like everywhere on the Cornish coast, if you are lucky you will see seals and dolphins, but it's not guaranteed. There are boats that will take you out looking for them, and over the years there have been sightings of seals in the harbour at Newquay.
If you are lucky enough to spot them in the harbour, do not be tempted to approach them, seals are wild animals and have a bite far worse than a dogs!
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