Summer is the perfect time to head to Britain’s surf capital Newquay, which boasts much more than its great breaks...
DAYTIME
There’s only really one reason to come to Newquay – and that’s ride its famous waves. And whether you live there or are visiting for the day, you can learn all you need to know from the experts at one of the many surf schools.
visitnewquay.org/activities/newquay-surf-capital-of-the-uk/newquay-surf-schools
If you can leave the beach behind for a few hours, head to Newquay Zoo and visit the penguins and don’t miss feeding time at the lion enclosure. We love the meerkats and lemurs too. Organise yourself an animal experience to get behind the scenes and make some unforgettable memories.
Newquay has more water features than its beaches – escape the crowds and head to the boating lake and its café serving cream teas and locally made icecream
You can also escape a rainy day with a visit to Waterworld’s tropical fun pool which offers a deep pool for swimming lengths or practicing your diving technique or head to the fun pool next door which features a slide among its many water features.
EATING
Perched above Fistral Beach, the fabulous Headland Hotel offers incredible views from Crantock to Watergate Bay – there’s also a stunning spa to be found and a really good cream tea in its light-filled conservatory. The grade II-listed building – the setting for the 1990 film of Roald Dahl’s The Witches – offers four-star luxury.
Just a stone’s throw from Newquay is the famous Watergate Bay, a two-mile long surfer’s beach that also offers a great family day.
Alongside Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen restaurant, the Watergate Bay Hotel offers every kind of holiday – there’s a two-day surf clinic in September, coastal fitness events and sessions to improve sea swimming skills.
Try the newly revamped The Beach Hut or try the menu at Zacry’s – the restaurant named after the square rocky outcrop at the south end of the beach.
SHOP
After a day’s hard core surfing (or bellyboarding, sand castle building or simply sitting on the beach) discover Fistral’s mini-shopping nirvana – a trio of shops offering the best in beachware – from sarongs to Crocs, Raybans to Vans. There are also plenty of spots to replenish your beach supplies – from boards and buckets to sun cream to wetsuits.
