Cornwall Accommodation

NEWQUAY

INTRODUCTION

Welcome to Newquay, the capital of England's surfing scene. Surfer or not, with 11 beaches stretching over seven miles of golden sand, it’s easy to see why Newquay has become the perfect destination for a family holiday. Here is one of the most stunning coastlines in Europe, and even in stormy weather it has a wild beauty that cries out to be explored. Once a tiny fishing village, Newquay has transformed itself into one of the most popular holiday destinations in the country. There is always something going or throughout the year, though the town really comes alive during the summer months. The first week in August is dedicated to surfing when more than 200 people turn up for an international contest. With £ 60,000 in prize money it gives top Cornish surfers the chance to take on world class competition on their local break.

The town is full of interesting shops and things to do. There are museums, restaurants, a Zoo and plenty of activities for parents and kids alike. There is a wide range of accommodation to choose from in Newquay and it is a great place to begin your exploration of North Cornwall’s stunning coastline. Choose from a range of activities, watersports, ambling through the charming countryside, sunbathing on the seven miles of golden sands and safe sandy beaches or simply enjoying everything the town has to offer.

Along the Cornish Riviera explore the breathtaking cliffs and sheltered coves as the thundering surf crashes through the rock pools. Look out for smugglers’ caves as you wander the soft, golden sands stretching for seven miles. Newquay is the ideal place to relax and unwind on the beach or work off some tension with some active watersports! Once people come to stay in Newquay they stay under its spell forever!

SECTION ONE

NEWQUAY

Newquay is Cornwall's most popular and liveliest resort. Its magnificent beaches make it a major centre for surfing. Climbing up behind the beaches are high cliffs with exciting caves. Newquay started as a small fishing village with a small quay. This quay had only one very short pier which could not accommodate many boats. Sadly, it was destroyed by storms and so in 1439 the Bishop of Exeter gave permission for a bigger harbour to be built. This harbour grew rapidly between then and 1872 when it was very busy and had many facilities. It had two piers and a railway connection and in that same year a jetty was built with a connection to the aforementioned railway. The harbours main use now is for pleasure craft and a few small fishing boats. On the west side of the Harbour is the historical Huer's Hut.

Newquay attracts all the champion surfers but it is also an enormous surf campus where people of all ages can learn in safety, with expert tuition, and build their confidence on waves that range in difficulty from easy to awesome.

As you might expect from a town this size and this popular with tourists, there is plenty of accommodation, from sea front hotels with simply wonderful views to comfortable guesthouses, self-catering apartments and camping and holiday parks. There is accommodation to suit all tastes and budgets. While staying in Newquay there are some ‘must sees and must dos.’ ‘Tunnels Through Time’ is a series of static tableaux that recreate various legends and stories about Cornwall: King Arthur, Merlin, smugglers and pirates! Give the kids a fun history lesson by transporting them back into the mist shrouded, past with a combination of life-size (and very realistic) figures, stunning sets and atmospheric sound effects including sea-gulls, crashing waves, screams of torture and battle-frenzied horses. For the more squeamish people there is an optional detour that avoids the more gruesome aspects of Cornwall’s history!

Five minutes stroll from the centre of town is Trenance Park a whole world of leisure: 26 acres of lush, sub-tropical colour interspersed with Cornwall's only zoo, a massive water attraction and a seemingly endless supply of activities for all ages and weathers. There’s plenty to keep the kids occupied here with a miniature railway, crazy golf, tennis and a boating lake where you can mess about and then have tea at the Lakeside Cafe. If that hasn’t worn the kids out then take them to Waterworld where they can splash about for hours while you work off some of the ice creams! A fitness centre is staffed by instructors trained to help all levels of ability. In the evenings, from July, a programme of alternating live acts, junior disco and brass band make waterworld a day and night family entertainment centre.
Also at ‘Trenance Park’ is the Newquay Zoo which breeds and cares for many of the world's most endangered species. Here, in a day, you can trek through the rain-forests of Brazil, the plains of Africa and the jungles of Asia; learn first-hand from the keepers and handle some of the animals. There's an activity farm, a maze, play and picnic areas. You will never forget the experience, and the kids will keep dragging you back for more.

For some retail therapy try any of Newquay’s numerous shops that range from the usual high street ones to funky surf shops that will really make you look the part! After a hard day’s shopping have a relaxing meal overlooking the water before going out on the town in one of Newquay’s many thriving nightclubs. Newquay is a great place to try new things, whether it be surfing or a round of golf at Fistral’s par-69 course. There’s something for everyone here in one of Cornwall’s top holiday destinations.

SECTION TWO

NEWQUAY BEACHES

At Newquay you are spoilt for choice when it comes to beaches. If one beach becomes too familiar, there are 10 more to try. If sand and sea lose their attraction, there are countless caves and rockpools to explore. There are several inviting beaches, all within four miles of the town centre, most in easy walking distance. They vary from small secluded coves, to family beaches equipped with all amenities and backed by sheer cliffs, to endless, wide expanses of golden sand.

Magnificent views of this long, dramatic stretch of Cornish coastline can be enjoyed from many vantage points on top of the impressive cliffs or rocky headlands, battered by the Atlantic waves.
Newquay Bay consists of four beaches - Towan, Great Western, Tolcarne and Lusty Glaze which form one single mile long stretch of sand at low tide. All four beaches can offer great waves depending on wind, swell and sandbanks as well as a great day out for all the family.

Towan, being the closest beach to the town centre, can be very busy in the summer. Positioned right next to the harbour entrance, it is very sheltered and gets little swell. It has a small, sea filled swimming pool. Often referred to as "Town Beach". The Newquay Sealife Centre is situated on the promenade. Newquay is often symbolized by the Island, connected to the cliffs by a suspension bridge, that rises from the beach and is depicted in many picture postcards. A S.W. wind is offshore at Towan and Western and can produce fast hollow waves with an optimum swell size of 4-6ft. Look out for occasional surfing restrictions. This is a good place for beginners to start though as it is so busy in summer watch out for surfing restrictions through this period. Quite often it is the only beach in Newquay area that can be surfed and as everybody heads there it gets crowded even in winter months.

Accessed by a steep winding road left of the Great Western Hotel, this is another popular family beach. Great Western, which, like the hotel, took it's name from the railway is slightly less crowded than Towan and has a wide range of amenities. These include refreshments, shop, surf and deck chair hire, toilets and showers. The beach comprises several coves with towering cliffs, which makes it very sheltered from the elements. An unusual feature is the private lift which descends through the cliffs from the Victoria Hotel. The old tram track, now a public footpath, runs above the beach and once carried goods for export, especially tin, from the railway to the harbour. Great Western is slightly more exposed than Towan and picks up more swell. It A South Westerly wind is offshore which can produce great hollow waves and is rideable on all tide stages. Very popular with beginners. Watch out for big rock which is submerged at high tide.

Tolcarne beach, backed by 150 foot cliffs, is one of Newquay's most popular family beaches. It's a short stroll out of town, situated just below the Barrowfields. It may be a long way down and have about 250 steps, but, it is well worth the descent. The beach has plenty of space but is nowhere near the size of Fistral. From the beach and the cliffs above there are beautiful views of the headland and Newquay's Harbour. Tolcarne produces both lefts and rights and works on all stages of the tide. More exposed to the wind but picks up more swell.

Lusty Glaze is a small beach about 1 1/2 miles from the town centre. It can be reached either down some very steep steps or along the sand from Tolcarne at low tide. It consists a small cove, a cafe and a few beach huts. Again like Tolcarne it is backed by very huge, steep cliffs. It is a quiet beach away from the crowds of the larger beaches closer to the town centre. It's excellent for those who want to get away from it all without the need to travel too far. It is a small cove which only breaks at low tide and needs a very big ground swell to work. A short, fast ride popular with boogie boarders requires a S.E. to N.E. wind to be offshore. Lusty Glaze is the most exposed beach of all in the Bay

rea so it picks up most swell. Breaks both left and right and is rideable at all tide stages with low to high being the best as it gives extra push. Popular with beginners.

Moving further away from Newquay itself there are a number of great beaches. Fistral beach is one of the most well known beaches in the country and it is this beach that has made Newquay the surfer’s paradise that it is today. With nearly a mile of stunning golden sands and steep dunes for shelter, facing due west, you can enjoy some of the best surfing conditions in Europe. This beach is not recommended for beginners. Fistral is worth a visit for non-surfers, above Fistral Beach is the famous Headland Hotel, location for the comedy film "The Witches". The old Lifeboat house now contains an art gallery while at the furthest part of the Headland, on a clear day magnificent views can be afforded over Newquay Bay.

Crantock Beach is sheltered from SW and NW winds and is named after the tiny village above, which is full of old world charm and home to a couple of welcoming, traditional inns. A long, peaceful beach, you can walk along the coast path for 2 miles or drive from Newquay's town centre. The north end of the beach, nearest the village, is opposite the Pentire Headland and is separated from this by the Gannel estuary. The main stretch is over a mile long and is backed by a mass of dunes. There is a car park, run by the National Trust, which has toilets and level access to the beach. A small kiosk serves refreshments during the high season.

For surfers there is a good quality beach break, best from low to mid tide. Sheltered from S.W. to N.W. winds, works best on S.E. On large days the Southern end of the beach produces good hollow lefts. Good for beginners if conditions are not to big. The attractive little bay of Porth Joke is known locally as Polly Joke and amply rewards the 10 minute walk from the car park at West Pentire. The sandy, stream washed beach nestles between low cliffs. Small beach break. Needs a big swell to work. A fast, short ride best an hour after low tide or high tide. Sheltered from most winds except Westerly. Good when elsewhere is too big.

The Pentire Peninsula is an extension of the coastal path; a lovely area for walking with views across Fistral Beach and Crantock Beach on the other side of the Gannel Estuary. There is a nine hole pitch and putt course, a refreshment kiosk plus a Public House and Restaurant enjoying a very unique location.

Watergate beach is more exposed than Newquay Bay, but less demanding than Fistral, its mile-long expanse provides ideal conditions to build on basics and hone skills.

At low tide, Watergate Bay turns into two mile long stretch of sandy beach break heaven. If there are any waves around, this one will pick them up and serve for your enjoyment as both lefts and rights. Works at all tide stages but very popular at high tide as it is one of only few beaches that gets good at high tide. SE wind is best. This one is a favourite with Newquay locals in summer who seek to escape crowds. Good for beginners but watch for incoming tide as you risk being cut off.

SECTION THREE

AROUND NEWQUAY

PERRANPORTH

Cornwall's dramatic Atlantic Coastline is never more mesmerizing than in Poldark Country. From the wide open sandy freedom of Perranporth to the secluded beauty of the St Agnes "Heritage Coast", its maritime affability and variety offers all who visit a chance to walk on the wild side of Cornwall. The whole coast is scattered with old tin mines, the most famous being Wheal Coates near St. Agnes.

Perranporth was a tin mining village in the 19th century; it is now a family resort with a 3-mile long beach, a popular place for surfing and sand yachting. Perranporth also has a golf course and boating lake and there are fine cliff walks, the local airfield is used for gliding. Winston Graham wrote his first Poldark novel while living in Perranporth.

Perranporth is home to the Perranzabuloe Folk Museum. Perranporth is the site of three churches all named St. Piran's. The first Church was built in the 6th or 7th centuries, but was abandoned when it became submerged by drifting sand in the 11th century; it was rediscovered in the mid 19th century. Legend has it that at the time of its rediscovery three decapitated skeletons were found in the Church!

In 1150 the second St. Piran's was built on higher ground to the east, but this proved still not high enough and had to be abandoned in the 15th century, the site is marked by a Celtic cross on the cliffs.

In 1804 the last St. Piran's Church was built one and a half miles south-east. The name is a corruption of St. Piran in Sabulo, which means St. Piran in the sand. St. Piran was a 5th century saint and the patron Saint of tinners.

If you want to get further out of the town to see spectacular scenery then Porth Island is worth a visit. Porth Island was an Iron Age fortified settlement. It also formed part of a Bronze Age burial ground much later. A spectacular feature at mid tide, especially on windy days, is the blow hole at the end of the island. The pressure from the sea below coming up through a tight space causes salt water to be launched into the air. You can see it from various viewpoints along Lusty Glaze and actually from the island itself.