Perched on Cornwall’s rugged north coast, Newquay offers far more than just surfing. While Fistral Beach pulls in wetsuit-clad enthusiasts from around the world, the town has a genuine Cornish character that goes well beyond its reputation for waves. Fishermen’s cottages and Victorian terraces sit on cliff edges above sweeping bays, and in the cosy harbourside pubs, you’ll hear maritime stories over pints of local ale.
You’ll find a real mix of people here. Early morning surfers grab breakfast alongside pensioners planning their coastal walks, and the seafood restaurants serve everything from traditional Cornish dishes to modern cuisine. Life runs at a different pace in Newquay – more in tune with the tides than the clock.
A weekend gives you enough time to get to know the place, but don’t be surprised if you end up staying longer – many visitors do once they discover how Newquay blends outdoor activities with Cornish charm.
Day 1: Beaches, Breaks & Coastal Views
Morning: Surf and Breakfast
Start your day like the locals do – with an early trip to Fistral Beach. Get there at dawn when the beach is quiet and the waves are often at their best. If you want to try surfing, the Quiksilver Surf School has lessons for everyone from complete beginners to experienced surfers, with friendly instructors who know these Cornish waves inside out.
After your surf lesson (or for those preferring to remain dry, a bracing coastal walk along the headland), it’s a comfortable 15-minute walk to Box & Barber Coffeehouse on Fore Street. This speciality coffee haven serves expertly crafted flat whites alongside proper Cornish breakfast fare. Try the Maverick – featuring chorizo, refried beans, hash browns, scrambled eggs, Baja cheese, spinach and chipotle aioli. It’s made using Cornish St Ewe eggs and pork from a nearby farm. The café’s stripped-back interior, with its reclaimed wood and hanging plants, offers the perfect vantage point for people-watching as Newquay comes to life.
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Midday: Coastal Discovery
Newquay’s Blue Reef Aquarium deserves unhurried exploration. Situated dramatically on Towan Beach, the aquarium showcases marine life from Cornish waters and beyond, with its underwater tunnel offering mesmerising close encounters with native sharks and rays. The informative staff provide engaging insights into conservation efforts along Cornwall’s increasingly fragile coastline.
For lunch, it’s just a five-minute stroll down to the harbour where The Boathouse serves the morning’s catch with minimal fuss and maximum flavour. Their crab sandwiches – featuring hand-picked Newquay crab meat, homemade mayonnaise and a whisper of lemon – have achieved legendary status among locals and visitors alike. Paired with a crisp Camel Valley white wine (produced just 14 miles away), it’s a quintessential Cornish dining experience overlooking the working harbour. Do be aware that The Boathouse is seasonal and closes for winter, reopening in March.
Afternoon: Town and Tidal Pools
Newquay’s compact town centre is easy to explore on foot. Bank Street and Fore Street are home to lots of independent shops selling everything from surf gear to locally made Cornish crafts. Make sure to pop into Northshore, where you’ll find locally shaped surfboards and eco-friendly beachwear.
As the afternoon advances, time your visit to Lusty Glaze Beach (bit of a weird name) with the outgoing tide. This stunning natural amphitheatre – a horseshoe-shaped cove accessible only via steep steps – reveals expansive tide pools perfect for gentle exploration. It’s about a 15-20 minute walk from the town centre, but the journey offers lovely cliff-top views. Young naturalists will delight in discovering shore crabs, anemones and the occasional starfish, while adults appreciate the sense of seclusion despite being just minutes from town.
Evening: Sunset and Seafood
As daylight begins to fade, position yourself at The Fort Inn and, if the weather permits, its terraced garden, where panoramic views capture Newquay Bay in all its glory. The establishment dates to 1815, and while its food offering remains solidly in the realm of well-executed pub classics, it’s the location – and locally brewed Doom Bar ale – that draws crowds for sunset appreciation.
For dinner, book well in advance at The Fish House on Fistral Beach. Allow about 20-25 minutes to walk there from The Fort Inn, or consider booking a local taxi if you’re watching the sunset until the very last moment. Chef Paul Harwood’s seafood-focused menu celebrates Cornwall’s maritime bounty with dishes like Newquay lobster linguine and whole Cornish sole simply grilled with brown shrimp butter. The restaurant’s unassuming appearance belies its culinary credentials, with floor-to-ceiling windows framing the beach where much of your meal was sourced just hours earlier.
Day 2: Beyond The Town
Morning at Watergate Bay
Begin your second day with breakfast at the Pavilion Bakery, where sourdough enthusiasts prepare exceptional pastries and bread from organic Cornish flour. Their breakfast menu changes seasonally, but the constancy lies in quality – eggs from Trerethern Farm, mushrooms foraged from nearby woodland, and coffee roasted in small batches in Penryn.
Afterwards, take the short 10-15 minute drive to Watergate Bay beach, where two miles of uninterrupted golden sand await. Join the South West Coast Path here for a spectacular cliff-top walk towards Mawgan Porth. The route offers breathtaking vistas across the Atlantic, with swooping guillemots and occasional seal sightings providing natural entertainment. Allow approximately two hours for the round trip, navigating gorse-lined paths where coastal wildflowers create a stunning backdrop in spring and summer.
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Midday: Active Adventures
Head back to Newquay for something different at Fistral Beach Surf School – not surfing this time, but coasteering. This combines cliff jumping, scrambling over rocks and swimming in the sea. It’s worth noting that if you’re tired after the morning’s walk, you might want to save this for another day as it takes quite a bit of energy. The qualified guides will keep you safe while you explore the rugged coastline from a completely different angle.
Treat yourself to lunch at The Colonial, part of Tolcarne Beach Village on Cliff Road. It’s about a 20-minute walk from Fistral Beach, crossing through central Newquay. Here, fresh local seafood meets global influences. Their Cornish crab linguine and beer-battered fish tacos showcase the day’s catch with creative flair, while the restaurant’s sun-drenched terrace offers sweeping views across Tolcarne Beach. The relaxed atmosphere perfectly suits Newquay’s laid-back ethos, with friendly staff happy to share tales of the town’s evolution from fishing village to surf haven.
Afternoon: Newquay’s Creative Side
Newquay’s creative community thrives somewhat beneath the tourist radar. Discover local artisans at Circle Contemporary, a gallery showcasing Cornwall-based artists whose work reflects the county’s unique light and landscape. The thoughtfully curated exhibitions change regularly, while the small shop offers ceramics and prints that capture Cornish essence more meaningfully than standard souvenirs.
Continue your cultural immersion at Newquay Orchard, a community-led environmental project spanning seven acres just minutes from the town centre. The volunteer-guided tours illuminate how this former wasteland has transformed into productive gardens supplying local restaurants, while teaching sustainability practices to both residents and visitors.
A Perfect Final Evening
For your last night, start with drinks at Tom Thumb, a great little cocktail bar that uses spirits from Cornwall’s local distilleries. Try their Cornish Negroni made with Caspyn gin from St. Ives and local botanicals – it’s the perfect way to kick off your evening.
Secure a reservation at Cove 24 for your farewell dinner. Chef Andy Appleton, formerly of Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen Cornwall, crafts a menu where Italian techniques meet Cornish produce in dishes like hand-dived scallops with ‘nduja and samphire, or rabbit ragu with fresh pappardelle. The restaurant’s intimate size (just 24 covers) ensures personal attention, while the wine list features thoughtfully selected small producers alongside Cornwall’s increasingly respected vineyards.
End the night with a drink at The Lewinnick Lodge on Pentire Headland. It’s about a 25-30 minute walk from town or a short taxi ride. From the terrace, you get amazing views across the Atlantic, and on clear nights you can see stars reflected in the water. They’ve got a great whisky menu too – perfect for sipping while you decide whether to extend your stay in this lovely part of Cornwall.
Getting To & From Newquay
For Londoners, Newquay is more accessible than you might think. The train from Paddington takes around 4-5 hours, with the final stretch along the Atlantic coast offering some stunning views that make the journey worthwhile. If you’re driving, it’s about a 5-hour trip down the M4 and A30 – though allow extra time during summer weekends when the roads get busy.
Cornwall Airport Newquay offers a much quicker alternative, with flights from Gatwick and Heathrow taking just over an hour. The airport is only a 15-minute drive from town, with regular bus services and plenty of taxis available.
What many visitors don’t realise is that the airport isn’t just for touching down as a gateway to the region – there are plenty of holidays from Newquay Airport to destinations across Europe. It’s worth considering if you fancy combining your Cornish break with a trip to Spain, Portugal or Ireland. Several tour operators offer package deals that include accommodation and flights, often at competitive prices compared to the more crowded London departures.
The Bottom Line
A weekend in Newquay only gives you a taste of what this town has to offer, with its mix of surf culture and traditional Cornish life. It’s well worth exploring beyond the main tourist spots.
If you have time, take a trip to nearby Padstow for its fantastic restaurants or visit the impressive rock formations at Bedruthan Steps. The Gannel Estuary just outside town is great for walks and birdwatching.
For those willing to venture a bit further, Falmouth on the south coast makes for a brilliant day trip. It’s got a completely different feel to Newquay – more maritime heritage, a buzzing university town atmosphere, and some excellent maritime museums. The 40-minute drive takes you right across Cornwall from the north to south coast.
And if you’ve fallen for Cornwall by now, head west to St Ives where you’ll find art galleries and sheltered beaches that feel more like the Mediterranean than Britain.
