Newquay is a lovely town on the north coast of Cornwall. Tourists visit this seaside town for the best surfing, bustling nightlife, and family-friendly attractions. Newquay is definitely the most popular resort town in Cornwall, with its beachside cafes, nature walks, and National Trust houses.
The list of things to do in Newquay, Cornwall is endless. Whether it is grandkids or grandparents, couples, or groups, everyone is charmed by this wonderful Cornish town. You can visit this stunning destination anytime during the year. However, if you are a lover of surfing, then summer is the best time. This is also when many events, like the Boardmasters festival, are on.
If you want to experience other adventures, read on for our list of things to do in Newquay, Cornwall.
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10 adventurous things that you can do in Newquay
Newquay is a lively town that boasts pristine beaches, a wealth of attractions, vibrant nights, and countless surfing waves as part of southwest England tourism. There are plenty of things to discover on your trip to this beautiful town in Cornwall. So, here is the list of all the fun you can have in the Newquay:
Table of Contents
Planning Your Trip
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Try Surfing at Fistral Beach
Fistral Beach is the most popular surfing beach in Newquay. It is settled just 2km west of Newquay’s railway station and is known as the best beach in Britain. It is a fantastic spot for picnicking and watching surfers challenge some high waves. Why not swing by the International Surfing Centre featuring shops, restaurants, and surf hire.
If you are not a fan of surfing, there are still plenty of things to enjoy at Fistral Beach, like the breathtaking views and cheerful atmosphere. You can take a fresh dip in the sea, eat ice creams, and spend the afternoon building sandcastles! Newquay is one of the best places in Cornwall.
Explore Newquay Harbour
Newquay used to be called “Towan Blystra” until a new harbour (or quay) was installed here. And this is how it got its name Newquay. It is the most scenic location in this town, complete with its own small beach. It is the perfect place to relax as you eat or drink while soaking in the spectacular views.
Newquay harbour offers adventure too, with boat tours, fishing trips, sea safaris, dolphin spotting, kayaking, and surfing lessons. Whether you just want to relax or experience the best things to do in Newquay, the harbour is definitely a go-to place.
Take a Walk on the South West Coast Path
The South West Coast offers a beautiful trail of about 630 miles (1,014Kms), which starts in Minehead in Somerset and stretches to Poole Harbour in Dorset. It is one of the most incredible walking routes, over 3 million people visit this southwest coast path each year!
The trail follows England’s most stunning coastline, including the Isles of Scilly, Exmoor & Dartmoor national parks, and the Jurrasic World Heritage Site. You cannot cover the whole path, but you can enjoy at least some part of this rugged coastline in Newquay. Walking on this coastline is one of the best things to do in Newquay for friends, couples, and explorers.
Delve into the Beauty of Gannel Estuary
Gannel Estuary is a must-visit location in Newquay. It’s a gorgeous place for both walks and wildlife spotting. This is where the River Gannel meets the North Atlantic Ocean at Crantock Beach. It is home to a myriad of wildlife, including swans, ducks, geese, and herons.
There are plenty of marine creatures to spot as well including lobsters, crabs, and fish in the water. For the birdwatchers, you can see little egrets, redshanks, and godwits. If it’s your lucky day, you may even spot a dolphin.
Stretch out & Meditate at the Oceanflow Yoga Studio
Oceanflow Yoga Studio is a friendly yoga studio nestled inside a sprawling Victorian Building overlooking Fistral bay. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced practitioner, the people of Oceanflow studio will make it a perfect spot to spend your day.
Whether you practise breathing techniques or master the art of meditation, there are plenty of classes here that offer mindfulness. If yoga is not your bag, why not indulge in a fun event like a silent disco or specialist workshop at Fistral beach.
Give Yourself Some Coasteering Experience
If you love adrenaline and adventure, then coasteering is definitely for you. It is a thrilling activity that involves climbing, jumping, and swimming. Newquay, Cornwall is the best location for coasteering because of its dramatic cliffs, crystal-blue waters, and amazing marine life.
Whether you want to explore the coast or dive into adventure, coasteering in Newquay is a must-do experience. We are pretty sure you will never forget this part of your vacation.
Visit the Watergate Bay
Watergate Bay is located three miles out of Newquay town. It is a well-liked beach for its stirring cliffs, picturesque views, and crashing waves. Watergate Bay is much quieter than the other Newquay beaches, so it’s a great place to escape the crowds during the summer months.
You can even walk back from Watergate to Newquay via the beach, although it may be a little tough with steep gradients in some places. The magnificent views will be your reward, along with tasty local food at the eateries along the way.
Visit the historic Huer’s Hut
Huer’s Hut is Newquay’s historical highlight, dating back to the 14th Century. It is located between Fistral beach and the harbour and was inhabited by the Huer, who used to spot the fish masses in the water below.
Today, this little hut is open to tourists and offers spectacular views of Newquay Bay as well as great photography opportunities. You can take short walks up from Newquay harbour. If you are interested in Newquay’s history, then Huer Hut must be on your Newquay list.
Experience Newquay’s thrilling nightlife
Newquay’s nightlife is the loveliest in Cornwall, you will find seafront bars and cosy pubs everywhere. Some of the best nightclubs in Newquay include Tall Trees Club and Berties Nightclub.
Admire the beauty of The Japanese Garden
The Japanese Garden is a tranquil place to unwind and let go of all your worries. This majestic place in Cornwall is the perfect combination of beautiful plants and natural elements. It’s a haven of tranquillity, where visitors can immerse themselves in the wonders of nature.
The Japanese Garden is the perfect place to rest and recuperate on your adventurous trip to Newquay. It is an excellent place for couples and families to spend quality time.
Swimming at Towan Beach
Towan beach is just a short walk from Newquay town centre. It is a stunning location for seaside days out with family. The safety of tourists is paramount so you will be in safe hands in the presence of trained lifeguards.
There are no charges for swimming, making town beach one of the top free things to do in Newquay.
Discover the history of piracy at Pirate’s Quest
At Pirate’s Quest, you will pass through an authentic set full of theatrical actors in an interactive experience. The different settings of this place will take you through the history of piracy in Cornwall. A fantastic attraction if you are with children.
Spend a day at Trenance Leisure Park
Trenance Leisure Park offers a host of different activities and attractions, making it one of the best places to visit in Cornwall. Are you looking to spend a day with kids? Then this leisure park must be on your list.
Free play parks with swings & slides, a miniature railway, and crazy golf are just some of the things you can find at Terrance Leisure Park. Whilst some attractions are paid for, you can easily enjoy a zero cost afternoon here. That’s why this park is one of the best free things to do in Newquay.
Things to do in Newquay in the rain
If you experience rain during your trip to Newquay, then don’t worry! You can still make the most of your time. Here are a few things that you can do if its raining in Newquay:
Blue Reef Aquarium
Experiencing over 40 natural habitats at Blue Reef Aquarium is one of the best things to do in Newquay in the rain.
These habitats reveal the extraordinary underwater life of Cornwall. It has a tunnel that you can walk through, under the water, allowing you to witness sharks and marine life from below.
Trerice Manor
National Trust-owned Trerice Manor is a beautiful, secluded Elizabethan Manor House. It is a brilliant place for history lovers and super fun for tourists, head inside to learn about the house’s fascinating history.
You can play Tudor games, try on armour, and much more. If you visit during the rain, you may have to skip walking around the garden.
Oasis Fun Pools
Oasis fun pools feature indoor and outdoor pools, making it a superb place to escape the downpour outside. It is an ideal spot for the whole family as it offers three flumes, fountains & waterfalls, a Hendra River Rapid ride, a giant tap, and the toddlers’ area with a slide.
Travel to Newquay for ultimate adventure & fun!
Newquay is a gorgeous town in the UK that must be on every tourist’s bucket list to visit at least once in their lifetime. If you plan to fly this side of England, we are sure your tour will be filled with adventure, fun, love, food, drinks, and much more. We have added all the Newquay attractions that you can tour around.
Whether you visit with family, friends, or better half, this place will not leave a moment to amaze you with its authentic British vibes. From surfing to majestic attractions, Newquay is a compact holiday destination. Newquay is altogether known for its endless seasides and adventurous spirits.
If you want to become a part of this ultimate thrill in Newquay, plan a trip here as soon as possible. This place is magical all year round, so you don’t need a particular day or season to fly here.
Before You Leave for Cornwall
Before you head off on your trip to Cornwall, there are certain things you will need to get organised to ensure a smooth trip. These include what to pack, where to stay and what travel insurance to book.
How Do I Get to Cornwall?
Cornwall is located in the southwestern tip of England. It is easily reachable by public transport, including train and bus, with routes that take you from major cities directly to Truro.
If you are flying into the country, the closest airport will be Newquay Airport, however, you can still easily reach The Cornwall by bus and train from any other part of the country.
What Should I Pack for Cornwall?
What you need to pack for Cornwall will rely highly on when you make your trip there. During the Spring and Autumn months, temperatures and weather patterns vary wildly between beautiful sunny skies and freezing rain.
The temperatures generally vary from 5 oC to 15 oC during these months, with a mixture between cold, winds and warmer temperature. There are some rainy days, with maybe 10 in 16 days receiving rainfall, which might be more comfortable to have rain jacket with yourself.
During the Summer months in Cornwall, temperatures tend to range from 12oC to 19oC, with some days topping 22oC.
If you need more inspiration on what to pack for your trip, check out our full packing guides for all-weather conditions over here.
Given the beautiful sights and scenery that you will see in Cornwall, we highly recommend packing a good camera for your trip. If you want to read more about the cameras we use and why we love them, check out the link below.
Photography Equipment
Main Photography Camera – Sony A7v Mirrorless Camera and Sony A7iii Mirrorless Camera
Microphone – Sony Mic ECM-B1M
Main Lens – Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8
Zoom Lens – Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8
Camera Tripod – ZOMEI Z669C Camera Tripod
Gorilla Pod – JOBY JB01507-BWW GorillaPod
Action Camera – GoPro Hero 11 and Insta 360 One RS
Drone Camera – DJI Mavic Pro 3
Camera Bag – Wandrd PRVKE 41L and The Nest by Tropicfeel
Phone Tripod – Manfrotto MKPIXICLAMP-BK, Mini Tripod with Universal Smartphone Clamp
Sturdy Phone Tripod & Selfie Stick – ATUMTEK 61″ Selfie Stick Tripod, Sturdy Phone Tripod Stand with Wireless Remote
Hard Drives – LaCie Rugged Mini, 5TB, 2.5″, Portable External Hard Drive
SSD – SanDisk Extreme Pro 1TB Portable NVMe SSD
Travel Adapter –Worldwide Travel Adapter Universal Travel Plug with 4 USB Ports+Universal AC Socke
What is the Best Travel Insurance?
I know tavel insurance is the least enjoyable thing to purchase and look at when you’re planning a trip, however, you wouldn’t want to be without it in the event that something happened. Accidents can happen anywhere and the extortionate medical bills will ruin your trip if you are not covered.
To ensure you have a stress-free trip with no worries about potential medical bills, make sure you cover yourself when you travel. We can recommend using SafetyWing, a backpacker-friendly and cheap insurance company that provides good coverage and support. It is also nomad-friendly, unlike most other insurance companies, meaning you do not need to worry about being out of your home country for too long.
Get a quote for your travel insurance right here and get covered!
So there you have it, a guide to the best things to do in Newquay. If you have visited Cornwall recently, let us know what you thought of the activities and beautiful buildings in the area. If you have any suggestions let us know in the comments below.
As always, sharing is caring so make sure to share this photo guide with your family and friends and inspire them to head off on their own English adventure. If you are planning the trip for yourself, make sure you have a look at the rest of our England content for more inspiration.
When you set off on your own adventure, be sure to tag us in your photos on Instagram and we will share them with the rest of our community. In the meantime, why not follow us over there to see what we are currently up to and keep up with us on our Instagram Stories.
Now Read:
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