Richard & Danielle’s guide to Newquay

Richard & Danielle
Richard & Danielle
Richard & Danielle’s guide to Newquay

Beaches/coast

Our closest beach and absolutely perfect for the whole family! The sheltered bay is perfect for swimming, snorkelling, bodyboarding, kayaking, paddleboarding etc. Please note that the beach has dog restrictions from 10am to 6pm every day from 1st July to 31th August. However, Whipsiderry Beach and Watergate Bay are open to dogs year round.
72 locals recommend
Porth Beach
72 locals recommend
Our closest beach and absolutely perfect for the whole family! The sheltered bay is perfect for swimming, snorkelling, bodyboarding, kayaking, paddleboarding etc. Please note that the beach has dog restrictions from 10am to 6pm every day from 1st July to 31th August. However, Whipsiderry Beach and Watergate Bay are open to dogs year round.
Privately-owned beach with a lovely bar and restaurant. Live events on the beach throughout the year. Keep a look out during summer for their Wednesday Sundowner Sessions where they put on free live music right on the beach. Also the home of Cornwall Waverunner Safaris (see separate listing).
89 locals recommend
Lusty Glaze Beach
Lusty Glaze Road
89 locals recommend
Privately-owned beach with a lovely bar and restaurant. Live events on the beach throughout the year. Keep a look out during summer for their Wednesday Sundowner Sessions where they put on free live music right on the beach. Also the home of Cornwall Waverunner Safaris (see separate listing).
Take in the views from the headland, you can see for miles! The view towards Newquay Bay at low tide is breathtaking. Also, during the summer months, it's popular to walk up and watch sunset. They're pretty spectacular here.
Trevelgue Head
Take in the views from the headland, you can see for miles! The view towards Newquay Bay at low tide is breathtaking. Also, during the summer months, it's popular to walk up and watch sunset. They're pretty spectacular here.
The longest beach in Newquay by far! Plenty of space for everyone and great surfing/watersports. There is also a cafe where you can get refreshments and lunch. Just watch the tides if you're walking the length of the beach, it comes in quickly!
91 locals recommend
Watergate Bay
Watergate Bay
91 locals recommend
The longest beach in Newquay by far! Plenty of space for everyone and great surfing/watersports. There is also a cafe where you can get refreshments and lunch. Just watch the tides if you're walking the length of the beach, it comes in quickly!

Activities

Water adventures galore! Jet skis, rib rides, boat tours, surf lessions, paddlebording & beach games. Enough to keep everyone busy!
7 locals recommend
Cornwall Waverunner Safaris
Lusty Glaze Road
7 locals recommend
Water adventures galore! Jet skis, rib rides, boat tours, surf lessions, paddlebording & beach games. Enough to keep everyone busy!
Massive biomes housing the largest rainforest in captivity, stunning plants, exhibitions and stories serve as a backdrop to striking contemporary gardens, summer concerts and exciting year-round family events. We love Eden! Just a 35 minute drive from us. In summer, plan to arrive as early as you can so you can enjoy the biomes before the crowds.
1111 locals recommend
Eden Project
1111 locals recommend
Massive biomes housing the largest rainforest in captivity, stunning plants, exhibitions and stories serve as a backdrop to striking contemporary gardens, summer concerts and exciting year-round family events. We love Eden! Just a 35 minute drive from us. In summer, plan to arrive as early as you can so you can enjoy the biomes before the crowds.
For over 25 years, the gardens were a lost, overgrown mess until a group of volunteers happened to stumble across them. After much restoration, the gardens are now one of Cornwall’s most popular attractions. Pre-booking may still be required, please check beforehand. We love walking around Heligan. Lots of places for children to explore, especially the jungle bridge! They also have a fantastic outdoor playground. Plus, dogs are welcome and they have some beautiful walking routes. Perfect for the whole family!
594 locals recommend
The Lost Gardens of Heligan
B3273
594 locals recommend
For over 25 years, the gardens were a lost, overgrown mess until a group of volunteers happened to stumble across them. After much restoration, the gardens are now one of Cornwall’s most popular attractions. Pre-booking may still be required, please check beforehand. We love walking around Heligan. Lots of places for children to explore, especially the jungle bridge! They also have a fantastic outdoor playground. Plus, dogs are welcome and they have some beautiful walking routes. Perfect for the whole family!
There are many places to hire surf equipment in Newquay! However, these guys come highly rated. Surfboard, SUP, bodyboard and wetsuit hire. Also surf lessons available. Excellent rates and highly rated.
Blue Surf School
Watergate Bay
There are many places to hire surf equipment in Newquay! However, these guys come highly rated. Surfboard, SUP, bodyboard and wetsuit hire. Also surf lessons available. Excellent rates and highly rated.
We've only been to the Aqua Park (inflatable obstacle course), and had so much fun!
21 locals recommend
Retallack Water Sports
21 locals recommend
We've only been to the Aqua Park (inflatable obstacle course), and had so much fun!
Wonderful National Trust house and gardens with a huge surrounding area of woodland and river.
119 locals recommend
Lanhydrock House and Garden
Treffry Lane
119 locals recommend
Wonderful National Trust house and gardens with a huge surrounding area of woodland and river.

Eating/drinking

Great location, right on the beach at Porth. Unfortunately they are struggling to get staff at the moment so capacity may be restricted and there may be a wait on food. Best to check in advance if possible. Also, watch out for the seagulls! Never leave leftover food on the tables outside.
40 locals recommend
The Mermaid Inn
Alexandra Court
40 locals recommend
Great location, right on the beach at Porth. Unfortunately they are struggling to get staff at the moment so capacity may be restricted and there may be a wait on food. Best to check in advance if possible. Also, watch out for the seagulls! Never leave leftover food on the tables outside.
Great place to go for a meal, either in the dining room or the more casual bar area. Cosy up on the sofas in front of the fire after a refreshing walk around Pentire headland. Amazing views back towards Newquay - great spot whatever the weather! As always, plan ahead and book a table in advanced :)
186 locals recommend
Lewinnick Lodge
Pentire headland
186 locals recommend
Great place to go for a meal, either in the dining room or the more casual bar area. Cosy up on the sofas in front of the fire after a refreshing walk around Pentire headland. Amazing views back towards Newquay - great spot whatever the weather! As always, plan ahead and book a table in advanced :)
We love Kahuna! Seriously good Thai/Asian fusion. They do takeaway (collection only) but make sure you call early as they get really busy! It's also a lovely restaurant if you prefer to eat in. Plan in advance to book a table. Also, great options for vegans.
54 locals recommend
Kahuna
Station Approach
54 locals recommend
We love Kahuna! Seriously good Thai/Asian fusion. They do takeaway (collection only) but make sure you call early as they get really busy! It's also a lovely restaurant if you prefer to eat in. Plan in advance to book a table. Also, great options for vegans.
Our Indian takeaway go-to! Zeman's is loved by locals and visitors alike. They get really busy so plan ahead (even if you're just after a takeaway). Note that it's BYO on alcohol if you're eating in,. If drinking wine, don't worry they have corkscrews :) Lovely casual restaurant, we've eaten here many times.
27 locals recommend
Zaman's restaurant
142 Henver Rd
27 locals recommend
Our Indian takeaway go-to! Zeman's is loved by locals and visitors alike. They get really busy so plan ahead (even if you're just after a takeaway). Note that it's BYO on alcohol if you're eating in,. If drinking wine, don't worry they have corkscrews :) Lovely casual restaurant, we've eaten here many times.
Sister pub to The Lewinnick Lodge. Lovely setting and great food. About 15 minutes drive from Newquay. https://theplumemitchell.co.uk/
28 locals recommend
The Plume Of Feathers
28 locals recommend
Sister pub to The Lewinnick Lodge. Lovely setting and great food. About 15 minutes drive from Newquay. https://theplumemitchell.co.uk/
Sooooo good! Slightly more expensive than other restaurants but we think worth it. Delicious food, beautiful interiors and a stunning location right on the beach. The cocktails are also very good! Particularly in summer, plan ahead and book a table in advanced.
19 locals recommend
Tolcarne Beach Colonial Restaurant and Rooms
19 locals recommend
Sooooo good! Slightly more expensive than other restaurants but we think worth it. Delicious food, beautiful interiors and a stunning location right on the beach. The cocktails are also very good! Particularly in summer, plan ahead and book a table in advanced.
Lovely intimate restaurant with amazing food and an even better location. Also offers vegan options.
118 locals recommend
The Fish House Fistral
Headland Road
118 locals recommend
Lovely intimate restaurant with amazing food and an even better location. Also offers vegan options.
Beautiful interiors, great for lunches, dinners or just drinks.
26 locals recommend
Cove24
24 Fore St
26 locals recommend
Beautiful interiors, great for lunches, dinners or just drinks.
Been to the one at Watergate Bay for lunch a few times and have always enjoyed it. https://waxnewquay.co.uk/
8 locals recommend
WAX Newquay
10 Central Square
8 locals recommend
Been to the one at Watergate Bay for lunch a few times and have always enjoyed it. https://waxnewquay.co.uk/
Great food, lovely staff, and a chilled vibe, right on the beach (Great Western - about 15-20 mins walk). There's also a separate beach bar for drinks next door.
44 locals recommend
Great Western Beach
44 locals recommend
Great food, lovely staff, and a chilled vibe, right on the beach (Great Western - about 15-20 mins walk). There's also a separate beach bar for drinks next door.
Lovely relaxed tapas style restaurant only 15-20 mins walk (although parking is available right outside). A good selection of non-fish options too (including a few vegan dishes). They also allow dogs! Tables are at bar height, so if you want a "normal" height table make sure you let them know when booking.
10 locals recommend
The Fish Bar Newquay
10 locals recommend
Lovely relaxed tapas style restaurant only 15-20 mins walk (although parking is available right outside). A good selection of non-fish options too (including a few vegan dishes). They also allow dogs! Tables are at bar height, so if you want a "normal" height table make sure you let them know when booking.
Concho Lounge is a lovely relaxed place for lunch or dinner. Extensive menu so something for everyone. Right in the centre of town. Great options for vegans!
11 locals recommend
Edmundo Lounge
16 Bank Street
11 locals recommend
Concho Lounge is a lovely relaxed place for lunch or dinner. Extensive menu so something for everyone. Right in the centre of town. Great options for vegans!
An absolute hidden gem. We couldn't decide whether to put it on here or keep it all to ourselves! Stunning terrace overlooking Newquay Bay, seriously good pizzas and cocktails. A perfect spot to spend a sunny afternoon. Try and nab a love seat at far end of the terrace.
Secret Garden
An absolute hidden gem. We couldn't decide whether to put it on here or keep it all to ourselves! Stunning terrace overlooking Newquay Bay, seriously good pizzas and cocktails. A perfect spot to spend a sunny afternoon. Try and nab a love seat at far end of the terrace.
There are plenty of good fish and chip options in Newquay, however we prefer Flounders chips! When family visit and we have fish and chips we go here - good portions and cooked fresh.
20 locals recommend
Flounders
15 East St
20 locals recommend
There are plenty of good fish and chip options in Newquay, however we prefer Flounders chips! When family visit and we have fish and chips we go here - good portions and cooked fresh.

Shopping

Lovely independent clothing and lifestyle store. Opposite The Mermaid Inn (see separate listing). https://roosbeach.co.uk/
18 locals recommend
Roo's Beach
Alexandra Road
18 locals recommend
Lovely independent clothing and lifestyle store. Opposite The Mermaid Inn (see separate listing). https://roosbeach.co.uk/

City advice

Don't miss

More advice available on the Visit Newquay website

https://www.visitnewquay.org/things-to-do
Getting around

In July/August, head out early

If you're heading out in the car, try and get out before 10am to beat the traffic. Also true for any food shopping you may need to do. It's well known that Cornwall gets very busy in summer, so try and be ahead of the worst of it.
Book before you go

Book ahead for restaurants.

However, please do not book multiple restaurants for the same date/time to give yourself choice later. Sadly, people do this and it has a devastating impact on local restaurants. Always cancel if your plans change.
Don't miss

Have a Cornish pasty!

Extra points if it gets stolen by a seagull as you take a bite.