Newquay holidays

Time your holiday to Newquay for the surf season (autumn and winter). You’ll find the biggest waves on Fistral Beach and Watergate Bay, both competition hosts on the UK surfing tour. If you’re new to the sport, book surf lessons, and then practise on the smaller sets that roll through Towan or Great Western Beaches.

Take some time out of your holiday to Newquay to explore the surrounding countryside. Find walking paths on the coast and visit pubs and cafes just north of Newquay in Mawgan Porth. Visit the Japanese Garden in St Mawgan, near Newquay Airport, or explore the long beach in Perranporth, just south of town.

You can’t pass through this salty stretch of Cornwall without sampling the excellent seafood restaurants. Order mussels, prawns or chowder at the Michelin-starred Fish House near Fistral Beach, or load up on classic fish and chips at neighbourhood eateries. You’ll also find several seafood choices near Newquay Harbour.

Newquay town centre is the best area to stay in Newquay to have everything within walking distance. Browse Bank Street, Newquay’s high street, to find well-known brands alongside sweet shops. Or visit the BIG Newquay Market (held on the first Saturday of the month from April to November), where local producers and creators sell their wares. And Great Western Beach is never more than a 10 minute walk away.

Good for: Restaurants, nightlife, walkability 

Fistral Beach is where to stay in Newquay for sports and surfing. Choose from a range of budget-friendly and upscale hotels just south of the beach. Reserve a tee time at Newquay Golf Club. Head to the north end of the beach to book surfing lessons, shop for beachwear or end the day with a drink overlooking the water.

Good for: Beach, golf, shopping

If resort town Newquay is too busy for you, neighbouring Crantock is just a 10-minute drive away, across the River Gannel. Here you’ll find an assortment of campgrounds, self-catering apartments and bed and breakfasts. Visit uncrowded Crantock Beach, walk the coastal footpaths through wildflowers and grasses, or book a treatment at the Crantock Bay Spa.

Good for: Village, spa, quiet beaches

Wild about animals? See armadillos, zebras and more at Newquay Zoo. Or discover wildlife in the surrounding Trenance Gardens and Leisure Park. Go to the Lappa Valley to ride on narrow-gauge trains. When planning your trip, be sure to check on seasonal things to do with family in Newquay. These include the Newquay Bouncy Castle Fun Park, open during the summer.

Bank Street is the best place to go shopping in Newquay, with art galleries, clothing boutiques and sweet shops. Find deals from independent shops at Killacourt, near Towan Beach. Walk to Cliff Road (next to Great Western Beach) to buy surfwear and dine at local restaurants. Or browse local Cornish brands at Bon Bon Fistral.

Enjoy exhibits about Cornish history and art at the Newquay Museum & Gallery. For a free museum in Newquay, visit the Trenance Heritage Cottages, where you can walk through renovated 19th-century Cornish homes. Drive 30 minutes to Charlestown (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) to see thousands of artefacts collected from shipwrecks at the Shipwreck Treasure Museum.

If you love live entertainment, Lane Theatre features plays from the Newquay Dramatic Society and performances from touring entertainers. Head to Newquay’s pubs and inns for local ale, beer and cider, usually accompanied by live music. If you’re looking for a lively night out, Newquay has several nightclubs that stay open into the early hours.

You’ll find plenty of options for dining in Newquay. Enjoy upscale dining in hotel restaurants, hearty pub meals at lunchtime and a meal with a view at beachside restaurants. Don’t forget to drop in to a cafe or tea room for a classic Cornish cream tea. Just remember — in Cornwall, the jam always goes on the scone first.

You’re spoilt for choices for beaches in Newquay. Head to Towan Beach for a family-friendly setting where you can sign up for surf lessons on beginner waves. Or take the kids to explore rock pools at low tide on Great Western Beach. Avoid the crowds with a short drive to Whipsiderry or Crantock Beaches.