Maybe we’re biased, maybe we’re not – but either way – we’re right! Newquay is a holidaymakers dream, regardless of what type of trip you’re after! Watersports? So much to choose from! Stunning nature? Like you wouldn’t believe. Beaches? Twelve of them. Great food? You betcha! Days out? We have activities that the whole family will love! Well connected? Wait till we tell you what’s within easy reach of our beautiful seaside town! Keep reading to find out 10 reasons why Newquay is the best place to holiday in Cornwall.
1. The Beaches
Newquay is a paradise for beach lovers! It’s no secret that Cornwall gets busy in the summer months. It’s a truth we all accept – this is a beautiful place and people love spending time here! Luckily, Newquay is the home to eleven beaches, meaning there is ample space for people to spread out a little. From surfers heaven Fistral to the explorable caves and rockpools of Great Western, check out our blog post on the 11 beautiful beaches of Newquay!
2. The Surf
Newquay is famous for being the UK’s number one surf destination. Since the arrival of South African and Australian lifeguards in the 60’s, surfing has been embedded in the culture of our town. Our beaches experience incredible swells almost all year round. The most famous for this is Fistral Beach, home to the Rip Curl Boardmasters festival and surf competition, as well as the legendary Cribbar wave, which has been known to reach heights in excess of 30ft! If you’re holidaying in Newquay, make sure you check out Escape Surf School – the only specialist surf school with 2 ex-pros on the team! Check out our blogpost for what to expect on your lesson here!
3. The Town
Newquay town has everything you need for an amazing holiday! You’ll find everything you need to have the best trip ever, from equipment hire to incredible bars and restaurants! The town centre plays host to a range of shops, clubs and cosy cafes. All within walking distance of the sea, Newquay is a beautiful seaside town with something to keep everyone entertained all holiday! If you’re looking for some inspiration on where to eat and grab a drink in Newquay, check out our other blog posts here:
The foodie experiences in Newquay you HAVE to try
5 of the BEST places to grab a drink in Newquay
4. Nature & Gardens
No holiday is complete without spending a balmy afternoon wandering around a gorgeous garden. In Newquay, you’ll be within easy reach of numerous, stunning gardens. The Japanese Garden in St. Mawgan provides an authentic Japanese design in an idyllic Cornish setting. With many plants and water features, visitors can enjoy the beauty of nature in a peaceful and relaxing space – the perfect setting to find tranquility and a sense of calm.
We also have the beautiful rose bushes and colourful flowers of Trenance Gardens, located just on the outskirts of Newquay Town Centre. The gardens also feature a lovely boating lake, which is alive with all kinds of different wildlife year round.
5. The Walks
In Newquay, we have so many walking routes to discover you could spend your whole holiday exploring the coast! With access to the South West Coast Path, you can walk around Newquay’s own fascinating shoreline, discover the amazing walk from Crantock to Holywell Bay which takes you by the famous Gull Rock, or take the short, vibrant trail to Bedruthen Steps; one of the most iconic destinations in North Cornwall. Find out more about the South West Coast Path here.
6. Location
The North Coast of Cornwall is the ideal location to explore all that the county has to offer! Locally you’ll find incredible beaches, atmospheric nightlife and a plethora of activities enough to keep you busy for your entire stay! If you do want to venture out of the town, there is SO much to do within a 45 minute drive that you’ll have to book in another holiday to experience it all! From the Arthurian mysticism of Tintagel and St. Nectan’s Glenn to the glorious blooms of the Lost Gardens of Heligan over on the South Coast, you can plan the perfect holiday jam-packed with your favourite sites. Check out our blog post on the best sea and nature inspired experiences in Cornwall!
7. Heritage
If you enjoy diving into culture and unearthing heritage sites, Newquay offers an array of amazing places to discover. Take a walk to the Huers Hut on the Towan headland, dating back to the 18th century. This is the structure where the Huer would be stationed to watch for the arrival of pilchards.
Another wonderful walk takes you round Trenance Gardens to find Trenance Cottages, dating back to the 18th century. These cottages are among a very limited number of properties that predate the 1876 passenger railway!
The Gannel Estuary is also site of historical importance due to the enormous part it played in supplying Newquay with trade. Barges were rowed up the channel when the tide came in, carrying aboard timber, sand and coal. It also used to be the site where ships were built, and you can still spot the remains of old moorings and boatyards!
8. Watersports
Although it is surfing that makes Newquay famous, there are a huge variety of watersports on offer! Have you ever tried coasteering? Scaling the rocks, learning about wildlife and performing big cliff jumps into the sea – an absolute MUST for the adventurous types! As well as this you can spend the day kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, bodyboarding, diving and much, much more! All you have to do is walk to any given beach to find places willing to take you on a seafaring quest!
9. Dog Friendly
In Newquay, we LOVE dogs! Bring your dog on holiday with you and stay in one of our lovely dog-friendly holiday cottages! You’ll find your pooch has an incredible holiday with multiple stretches of dog-friendly beaches and lots of great restaurants to enjoy. Check out our blog on the best dog-friendly restaurants in Newquay here!
10. Activities
Looking for some fun-packed activities to tire out the kids? You’ve come to the right place! Make sure you check our Newquay Zoo while you’re down here and get up close to over 1000 of the worlds rarest and endangered animals! Surrounded by 13 acres of lush, tropical gardens, you can release your wild side! If you’re a lover of the marine world, the Blue Reef Aquarium is an absolute must! Located right on Towan Promenade and overlooking the beach, the aquarium has over 40 naturally themed habitats and takes you on a fantastic journey from local waters to exotic seas.