Experience Newquay
Newquay is one of the most sought after holiday destinations in the UK. The coastal Cornish town is located on the Atlantic coast and has a lot to offer for families, adventurers and solo travellers. From beautiful wild beaches to great waves for surfing and a lot of activities for kids, when visiting Newquay you will find something fun to do for sure!
- Our favorite beach: Fistral Beach
- Our favorite restaurant: The Bearded Brewery
- Our favorite watersport activity: Newquay surfing lesson
Language and Currency in Newquay
The official language in Newquay and all of the UK is (British) English. So you’re going to get along fine with your basic English! However, if you speak with proper locals, you might have a hard time understanding the Cornish dialect. This can be very difficult to understand, but if you ask them to slow down they will usually make an effort. :) The local currency in the UK is the Pound Sterling, and you can easily just use your card to pay or withdraw money at the ATMs.
Getting around in Newquay
Newquay is a town, but it’s not super big, so depending on where you’re staying, you don’t even need to rent a car. You can get around in Newquay and Cornwall in general very easily by public transport. There are plenty of bus lines that take you all around the region at very cheap prices.
There are of course also taxi companies that you can rely on to get you safely back home from your night out in the local bars. Another way of getting around in Newquay is by train. Newquay has a train station, from where you can get on trains to all major cities in the UK like London, Birmingham or Yorkshire.
Best things to do in Newquay
Given its location right on the Atlantic Coast, the most obvious attractions of Newquay include the many amazing beaches all around the coastline. But did you know that there is so much more you can do during your stay in Newquay?
Lappa Valley
If you’re visiting Newquay with kids, don’t miss out on the fun amusement park called Lappa Valley. Get aboard the steam train to cruise around the vast landscapes in Lappa Valley. It’s a fun adventure in nature to bond with your kids outdoors. The huge outdoor playground is a paradise for little travellers and you know what they say - if your kids are happy, you will be happy!
Coastal Hiking Trail
The nature in Newquay and surroundings is simply mesmerizing. The lush green hills, the wild and deep blue sea and the paradisiacal beaches in between are best admired on the Coastal Hiking Trail. There are plenty of trails to choose from, for beginners to advanced hikers, but they all have one thing in common: They provide you with an amazing nature experience!
Cornwall Aviation Heritage Centre
If you’re interested in engineering, aviation and history, we have the perfect place for you to visit during your stay in Newquay: The Cornwall Aviation Heritage Centre! Here you can learn all about Aviation history and see some legendary aircrafts from up close. It’s a great little getaway for young and old who would like to learn a bit more about history and aviation in general.
Trerice
We have one more Must-Do for history-enthusiasts in Newquay: The Elizabethan manor House of Trerice! This house was built back in 1573 for one of the influential Sheriffs in medieval Cornwall, and since then has not suffered many alterations. Thanks to this, you can admire the architecture and the atmosphere of this historic building. Walking through the rooms of Trerice is like stepping into a time capsule! Oh, and the gardens are also an absolute delight.
The best watersports in Newquay
Newquay is mainly
famous for one watersport activity: Surfing! There are plenty of amazing surf spots, offering waves for all levels any time of the year. So it comes as no surprise that one of the best watersports in Newquay for us is definitely a
surf lesson! But waves also mean that you can learn
bodyboarding in Newquay, to do some fun tricks while riding a wave!
Where and what to eat in Newquay
One of the most famous food you should try when visiting Newquay is Cornish Cream Tea. This is a typical afternoon tea ritual for Cornwall in general, so you will be able to find it in the entire region. Cornish Cream Tea typically consists of delicious scones with jam in a classic tea room atmosphere. Make sure to try it out one afternoon! In summer, you can also ask for it with some yummy ice cream.
There are quite some typical Cornish meals you should also try during your stay here. Cornish Yarg for example is a famous sort of cow’s milk cheese, wrapped in Nettle Leaves that form the edible rind. Cornish Pasty is also especially popular. Try one of the Pastys filled with diced beef, onions, potato and turnip which are one of the all-time favorites of locals.
When visiting Newquay, make sure to visit some of the best restaurants like Gwenna Teahouse for some afternoon tea or The Fish House to try some of the local seafood. Cafe Cloud is also a great little restaurant to try some delicious pies.
Enjoy the beautiful beaches in Newquay
Newquay has some amazing beaches to go for a walk, enjoy the sea breeze and spend some time in the sun. One of the best beaches in Newquay is Fistral Beach, located a little bit south of the town of Newquay. The sandy beach with dunes in the background and facing the Atlantic Ocean is a great spot for a little walk. Enjoy the lush green fields surrounding the beach while looking out at the blue sea at the same time.
Another amazing beach located right in the centre of Newquay is Great Western Beach. This beautiful sandy beach looking up to the wild and steep cliffs of Newquay is a great surf spot. But if you just want to have a quick beachtime after strolling around town, you can also come down to this beach and relax while enjoying the view!
Whipsiderry Beach is located in the North of Newquay, but if you can, make sure to pay a visit to this amazing beach. There are quite a lot of steps you need to go down (and up afterwards!) to reach the beach, but it’s worth the workout! Make sure to check the tides when going to this beach, as it’s most beautiful at low tide. Admire the beautiful rocks around the beach and the sense of wilderness.
Whatever you decide to do during your trip to Newquay, we promise you will love this part of the UK! Exciting landscapes and a lot of fun are guaranteed! For any further tips or requests, feel free to contact us anytime.