VERDICT: WE GAVE 4 OUT OF 5 TICKETS AND HERE’S WHY!
Newquay, Cornwall, England
Newquay has more beaches than any other town in Cornwall, making it the undisputed surf and seaside capital of the county.
Newquay is Cornwall’s beach capital, energetic, youthful, and shaped by the Atlantic. With long sandy bays, reliable surf, and coastal walks that stretch for miles, it’s a place where adventure and relaxation coexist. Whether you’re here for surfing, seaside cafés, or simply watching waves roll in, Newquay delivers classic Cornish coastal living with real buzz.
Cornwall is not just a place you visit; it’s a place you feel. Shaped by the Atlantic and English Channel, forged through fishing, mining, and seafaring, and fiercely proud of its identity, Cornwall offers stories as rich as its landscapes. Below is an exclusive, visitor guide to one of Cornwall’s most loved locations, with its own personality, history, and reason to be explored.
🌊 Newquay — Cornwall’s Atlantic Playground
Introduction
Newquay is where Cornwall meets the full force of the Atlantic. Bold cliffs, sweeping beaches, and a constant salt-air buzz make this the county’s most energetic seaside town. It’s famous for surfing, but there’s far more here than waves, from dramatic coastal walks to relaxed dining and sunset viewpoints.
A Brief History
Originally a small fishing settlement, Newquay grew rapidly in the late 19th century with the arrival of the railway. In the 1960s, surfing culture transformed it again, earning Newquay its reputation as the UK’s surf capital.
Top Things to Do
Newquay’s beaches face directly into the Atlantic, creating consistent surf conditions that transformed a quiet town into a global surf destination.
• Fistral Beach – surfing, coastal views (free)
• Watergate Bay – wide open beach, family friendly
• South West Coast Path – cliff walks (free)
• Newquay Zoo – £15 adult
• Sunset at Towan Headland (free)
Best Hotels
• The Headland Hotel – Iconic clifftop luxury
• Atlantic Hotel – Ocean views, classic elegance
• Fistral Beach Hotel – Adults-only surf-side stay
Top Restaurants
• Rick Stein Fistral – Seafood with a view
• The Fish House – Casual coastal dining
• Box & Barber – Burgers & cocktails
Nearby Sightseeing
• Padstow (30 min)
• Bedruthan Steps
• Tintagel Castle
With every trip, we offer feedback to travel companies along with honest views for you, the reader. We rate adventures on a scale of one to five tickets, judged on quality, service, memorability, and price. A perfect ‘Ticket Rating’ of a five-ticket score means the experience was flawless and we’d eagerly return. Your desire to go back is the ultimate measure of a trip’s worth. Exclusive to My Return Ticket.