Exploring Cornwalls ‘Surfers Paradise’ - The best things to do near Newquay!

Newquay is extremely popular and is essentially a hub for visiting the north coast of Cornwall due to its vast amount of accommodation in comparison to the smaller towns of Cornwall. It is home to some of the UK’s best surf beaches and packed with things to do in and around the area! If you’re planning a trip to Newquay then here you will find some inspiration for your visit! Here are the best things to do near Newquay…

Things to do near Newquay

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1. Visit Newquay Town

Newquay is known for its high quality surf beaches however there is also a busy town to explore, bustling with tourists and locals. There are many shops and even more bakeries due to the high demand for Cornish pasties! The southern end of town has a lot of surf/skate inspired clothing stores, such as Anne’s Cottage alongside a whole host of others. There’s also plenty of bars and restaurants to enjoy in the evening. It is definitely worth spending some time in the town in between your beach trips!

2. Fistral Beach

Fistral is beach is the home of British surfing! They hold international competitions due to it’s consistently exceptional swell. Not only is it packed with surfers but it’s very popular with tourists and locals due to its huge stretch of golden sands, brilliant water clarity and superb facilities beachside. Fistral has several shops, Cafes and Restaurants beachside, including The Stable which is perfect for a drink and bite to eat after a long beach day. The beach is patrolled by lifeguards making it safer for beach goers. There is a 250 space main car park located besides the beach, i reccomend arriving early as the beach gets very busy. Alternatively there are other car parks around a 5 minute walk away such as Belmont and Towan head.

Are dogs allowed on the beach in fistral?

Fistral is dog friendly all year round! There is plenty of space for dogs to enjoy along the wide stretch of beach.

3. Perranporth

Perranporth is another popular surf beach just under 20 min from Newquay. While boasting a brilliant surf, it’s also good for swimmers as there’s I tidal pool built within the rocky island at the centre of the beach. The Watering Hole is a beach bar actually located on the sand offering drinks and food to beachgoers, sometimes hosting live music. Perranporth beach is a great place to watch the sunset over the glimmering Cornish waters.Perranporth town is worth visiting too as there is a high street filled with boutique shops and an abundance of food choices to fuel your beach day!  

Is Perranporth Beach dog friendly?

The beach is very popular with dogs due to it being dog friendly all year round! With that said, during July and August, dogs must be on leads in the main part of the beach between 10am and 5pm.

4. Padstow

Padstow is a beautiful harbour town and a foodie hub due to its abundance of good quality dining options. The Celebrity chef, Rick Stein has made it his monopoly board, owning several restaurants, pubs and cafes, which all sell the chefs famously spectacular food. Besides this there are still many other thriving establishments with a range of cuisines on offer. The harbour looks out to the gorgeous River Camel, you can follow the coastal path which will take you to some hidden coves and eventually to Tregirls beach. Padstow is home to the National lobster hatchery and there are also several boat tours if you wish to explore the local marine life.

5. Lusty glaze

Lusty glaze is a small secluded cove located on the edge of Newquay. It is privately owned and hosts events such as live music and weddings, it was actually crowned britains best beach wedding venue! It is open to the public all year round but only when there are no private beach closures, these can be found on their events page. Lusty Glaze beach itself is stunning and you can view some of the most beautiful sunsets from within the dreamy cove. There is beachside accommodation, a lovely cafe and restaurant, and a whole host of water sports activities to enjoy.

Is Lusty Glaze dog friendly?

Lusty glaze beach is dog friendly all year round including the Lusty glaze cafe and restaurant.

6. Surf Lessons

Cornwall is the home of Surfing and Newquay facilitates some of the best Surf beaches in the UK, therefore it would be rude not to try out the locally loved sport! There are plenty of surf schools in Newquay, I recommend Fistral Beach Surf school as it is ideally based right on the beach and is open all year round! They have skilled coaches who tailor lessons to your ability from beginner to competitive surfer. Fistral beach surf school also offers equipment hire if you’d like to take on the waves independently

7. The Gannel estuary

The Gannel estuary is a tidal river that opens out to the sea by Crantock beach. Both Crantock beach and the Gannel estuary are places I would recommend visiting. The Gannel estuary is teeming with wildlife such as rare birds and fish. The water is a beautiful colour and clarity is great. When the tide is high the estuary fills with water and when it’s low tide you can walk across the exposed sands. Unlike Crantock, it is not patrolled by lifeguards so bear in mind the tide times. The estuary is perfect for paddle boarding, in fact, Big green adventures host SUP lessons on the estuary as the Gannel is regarded as one of the best SUP locations in the country!

Places to eat

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1. The Two Clomes

The Two Clomes is a traditional pub with a great menu and offers a relaxed dining experience. The menu itself isn’t entirely traditional, it containes Cornish seafood and steak, however also serves some international inspired food such as jerk pork, Thai curry and noodles dishes. Depending on your time of visit they will be serving different meals as the menu is ever evolving. They also offer a specials board so keep an eye out for that! There is a good selection of drinks including a large amount of local beverages such as Tarquins gin and local cider, all at a very reasonable price. If you are looking for a chilled evening or relaxing pub lunch with a good menu then I recommend visiting the Two Clomes.

2. Pauline’s Creamery

Pauline’s Creamery is an old fashioned traditional Cafe/bakery. In the front window you can view their large array of goods ranging from delicious homemade cakes to generously filled sandwiches. Upstairs is a tea room serving traditional Cornish cream teas! If you’re looking for a quick bite to bring down to the beach or a little sit down in a cosy tea room then Pauline’s is the place to go!

3. The Stable Fistral

The Stable is a Pizza franchise located in multiple places in the UK. The Stable in Fistral stands out due to it’s unbeatable panoramic view over the surf beach. Enjoy some of the best sourdough pizzas while watching the rolling waves from the balcony or relax with a pint whilst watching the sun set over the sea. In the winter time there is a cosy atmosphere with the log fire burning inside. Aside from a wonderful selection of pizzas they do serve a few other options such as nachos, Salads and Mac n’ cheese. They also stock a large range of local beverages all from the south west and host a botmless brunch every Saturday between 11:30 and 3:30!

4. The Watering hole (Perranporth)

The Watering hole in perranporth is the first and only bar/reasturaunt actually on the beach in the UK! The establishment is located on the beautifully soft perranporth sands and boast amazing views of the beach. It’s extremely popular but has plenty of seating. The menu has a great variety of options including vegetarian and vegan, there is also a separate pizza menu. All the food is delicious and the service is very quick. The bar has a massive selection of drinks including many local beverages. If you’re spending a day at perranporth beach then it’s more than ideal for lunch, in the evenings they sometimes have events and live music too. It’s open all year weather dependant and welcomes well behaved dogs inside and out, however not during events.

5. The Boathouse Newquay

The Boathouse street food Newquay is a beachside venue hosting a wide array of street food stalls. There’s a whole host of food to try such as Asian street food, fish and chips, pizza, burgers, roasts, waffles, donuts and more! There is also a bar serving local beers and cider, alongside wines from across the globe! There is also a stall selling cocktails. With relaxed beachfront views, you can make a wonderful evening trying different foods and drinks in this hidden gem of Newquay!

Places to stay

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