Anyone operating under the misapprehension that English beaches are uniformly pebbly and gray will be stunned by Newquay’s golden sands. This resort town in northern Cornwall is one of the country’s most popular seaside retreats, and for good reason—with nine sandy beaches, a reputation among international surfers, and exceptional seafood restaurants, it’s an ideal place to while away long summer days. Beyond the beach, visiting Newquay Zoo and Blue Reef Aquarium are two top things to do in Newquay for families, while the South West Coast Path attracts serious walkers.
With its sandy beaches, surfer-friendly swells, and award-winning seafood restaurants, Newquay on Cornwall’s northern coast is regarded as one of the UK’s most popular domestic summer getaways. That does mean crowds, however—particularly in August, during the annual Boardmasters surf and music festival. If you’re after a calmer experience, avoid bank holiday weekends and aim for May and September shoulder season visits.
Newquay is served by the main line Newquay Train Station, Newquay Bus Station, and Cornwall Airport Newquay, which connects to both domestic and international destinations. Newquay’s local bus services link to destinations around Cornwall, and the city itself is both pedestrian- and cyclist-friendly. There are also multiple local taxi companies to make area transit seamless.
Newquay’s most renowned surfing beach is Fistral with its high cliffs, sand dunes and killer waves, and the city’s other beaches—including Towan, Great Western, Tolcarne, Lusty Glaze, Porth, and Whipsiderry—can be mobbed on warm-weather summer days too. To enjoy the splendors of the Cornish coast with slightly fewer sunseekers, head to neighboring stretches of shoreline just beyond city limits, including Mawgan Porth and Watergate Bay.
