Sarah's Guidebook
Beaches
All the best local beaches
Porth is a lovely sheltered beach perfect for young families. Lifeguarded in summer, it is protected by two headlands so rarely gets any surf making it the perfect paddling spot.
72 locals recommend
Porth Beach
Porth is a lovely sheltered beach perfect for young families. Lifeguarded in summer, it is protected by two headlands so rarely gets any surf making it the perfect paddling spot.
One of the best beaches around for surf lessons and water sports! A short 5 minutes drive, or a beautiful half an hours stroll along the coast path gets you there.
Also some great choices for lunch or dinner.
26 locals recommend
Watergate Beach
Watergate BayOne of the best beaches around for surf lessons and water sports! A short 5 minutes drive, or a beautiful half an hours stroll along the coast path gets you there.
Also some great choices for lunch or dinner.
A small privately owned beach with a bar and restaurant. On a really low tide you can walk all the way to the harbour.
Catch one of their live music events if you get the chance.
89 locals recommend
Lusty Glaze Beach
Lusty Glaze RoadA small privately owned beach with a bar and restaurant. On a really low tide you can walk all the way to the harbour.
Catch one of their live music events if you get the chance.
World famous surf spot! Vibrant lively vibe with plenty of choice for food and drink.
225 locals recommend
Fistral Beach
World famous surf spot! Vibrant lively vibe with plenty of choice for food and drink.
At low tide this is a favourite spot for crabbing off the little bridge across the estuary. At high tide the water rushes in and the locals rush down with their stand up paddle boards and kayaks!
Why not take a SUP lesson?
18 locals recommend
Gannel Estuary
At low tide this is a favourite spot for crabbing off the little bridge across the estuary. At high tide the water rushes in and the locals rush down with their stand up paddle boards and kayaks!
Why not take a SUP lesson?
A short 15 minute drive away, you’ll need to get their early on a sunny day to park, but it’s well worth the effort.
We recommend sledging down the dunes!
130 locals recommend
Crantock Beach
A short 15 minute drive away, you’ll need to get their early on a sunny day to park, but it’s well worth the effort.
We recommend sledging down the dunes!
Food scene
One of my kids favourite places to eat, the burgers are amazing!
17 locals recommend
Wax Watergate Bay
One of my kids favourite places to eat, the burgers are amazing!
Family friendly, walkable 5 minutes down the road, and right on the beach! Perfect for a meal or a pint of Rattler, Cornwall’s very own local cider!
40 locals recommend
The Mermaid Inn
Alexandra CourtFamily friendly, walkable 5 minutes down the road, and right on the beach! Perfect for a meal or a pint of Rattler, Cornwall’s very own local cider!
Lovely views from the restaurant or home delivery available to the house!
21 locals recommend
The Maharajah
39 Cliff RdLovely views from the restaurant or home delivery available to the house!
If you want fish and chips (who doesn’t?!) then Francine’s takeaway is your place!
14 locals recommend
Francine's Newquay
Chester RoadIf you want fish and chips (who doesn’t?!) then Francine’s takeaway is your place!
Kahuna
Station ApproachDelicious Asian cuisine
Bush Pepper
6 Fore StAnother place for delicious food.
The Fistral Stable
Headland RoadThe place for pizza whilst sitting and watching the surfers!
The Beach Hut
Watergate BayLovely food and drink overlooking Watergate beach.
Our favourite place for the local delicacy! Best pasties around!!
8 locals recommend
Malcolm Barnecutt Bakery Newquay
22 Henver RdOur favourite place for the local delicacy! Best pasties around!!
Activities
What to do if you need more excitement than building sandcastles, or if the weather isn’t perfect (though we still love the beach in the rain!)
A lovely small aquarium for families, it’s also right on the beach and by the harbour so good for an explore!
96 locals recommend
Blue Reef Aquarium
Towan PromenadeA lovely small aquarium for families, it’s also right on the beach and by the harbour so good for an explore!
Less than ten minutes drive away is Newquay zoo, with parking and a playground right outside.
146 locals recommend
Newquay Zoo
Trenance GardensLess than ten minutes drive away is Newquay zoo, with parking and a playground right outside.
These guys do stand up paddle board lessons and hire from Crantock beach car park, give it a go!
14 locals recommend
Big Green Surf School
Beach RoadThese guys do stand up paddle board lessons and hire from Crantock beach car park, give it a go!
If you want to go on a boat trip to see wildlife or for sustainable fishing trips these are your people. If you’re lucky you could spot porpoises or dolphins!
9 locals recommend
Newquay Fishing Trips - Atlantis
South Quay HillIf you want to go on a boat trip to see wildlife or for sustainable fishing trips these are your people. If you’re lucky you could spot porpoises or dolphins!
Sightseeing
For a day trip we would recommend visiting St. Michael’s Mount. About an hours drive but once you are there you can either walk across the causeway or catch a ferry depending on the tide, and see if you can find the giant’s heart!
690 locals recommend
Saint Michael's Mount
For a day trip we would recommend visiting St. Michael’s Mount. About an hours drive but once you are there you can either walk across the causeway or catch a ferry depending on the tide, and see if you can find the giant’s heart!
Well worth a visit, the Eden project is about 40 minutes drive in summer. Loads to see and do and great food when you’re there.
1111 locals recommend
Eden Project
Well worth a visit, the Eden project is about 40 minutes drive in summer. Loads to see and do and great food when you’re there.
Another day trip option to explore the myths and legends of Tintagel, was it one home to King Arthur himself?
299 locals recommend
Tintagel Castle bridge
South West Coast PathAnother day trip option to explore the myths and legends of Tintagel, was it one home to King Arthur himself?
If you are lucky enough to get tickets to see a performance here, you are in for a most amazing experience. The views are unmatched by any theatre anywhere!
545 locals recommend
The Minack Theatre
If you are lucky enough to get tickets to see a performance here, you are in for a most amazing experience. The views are unmatched by any theatre anywhere!