Hotels in Newquay

Thanks to the rugged beauty of its unique coastline, you'll love visiting Newquay. The area boasts towering cliffs and magnificent waves rolling in from the Atlantic Ocean. You'll be amazed by the quality of the wide, sandy beaches, which many consider as the world's finest. There are fascinating rock pools, along with a treasure trove of starfish, crabs and molluscs waiting for the tide to float them back into the sea. This modern, elegant town has incredible cliff-top views. There's also a quaint harbour, idyllic villages along the outskirts and tasty local cuisines. As there's such a wide range of outdoor activities to do, including golf and championship surfing, you'll never get bored in Newquay.

The town has all accommodation types ready to host an estimated 100,000 annual visitors. If you're longing for five-star luxury, you'll find many exclusive hotels occupying coveted cliff-top locations. There are many boutique hotels with a Cornish charm throughout the town, too. You can also relax in one of the many traditional guesthouses or quaint bed-and-breakfast establishments in the suburban areas.

Neighbourhoods of Newquay

• Porth: Porth has a quiet village atmosphere and sits only a kilometre from the town's centre. It's easy to reach nightclubs and restaurants, and it offers some of the most amazing beach views.
• Crantock: This area lies along the River Gannell, which cuts right through the town. Crantock has idyllic scenery, sand dunes with tufts of grass and a beautiful old church from the Middle Ages.
• Holywell Bay: This part of the town lies around 6 kilometres from the centre. Its location is ideal for those travelling with families or pets. The beach is dog-friendly, and there are also fascinating caves you can explore.

What to see and do in Newquay

There are nine sandy beaches in Newquay, including Towan, Fistral, Tolcarne and Watergate Bay. You can enjoy long coastal walks, but be sure to look out for high tides. Many enthusiastic walkers have required rescuing after being stranded by an incoming tide. Newquay Golf Club has a breezy location overlooking Fistral Beach and at Holywell Bay. You can also play around on its eighteen-hole golf course, which has been providing visitors with plenty of fun since 1968. The Trenance Gardens are well worth visiting, thanks to interesting sub-tropical plants, restored cottages and a boating lake. You can also make some new friends with the creatures at the City Zoo or Blue Reef Aquarium.

What to eat in Newquay

• Cornish Pasty: Who can resist this authentic local treat? It was once a favourite lunch for tin miners. You can look forward to a delicious mix of beef or lamb and seasonal vegetables, such as carrots and turnips, wrapped and sealed in a shortcrust pastry.
• Yarg: This tasty cheese has been a local speciality since the thirteenth century. You'll love the unique dish, which is wrapped with edible nettle leaves.
• Lobster and Crab: You can easily find fresh seafood dishes made with locally caught delicacies.
• Clotted Cream: This pasture of land is rich in clotted cream. You can try some in your tea, or have it with home-made scones and strawberry jam.

Typical events and festivals in Newquay

The Boardmasters Surf and Music Festival has been an annual event in Newquay since 1981. It combines the energy and exhilaration of riding the Atlantic with trending music. It usually takes place for approximately five days in late August. International surfing competitions normally happen at Fistral Beach, which is famous for its waves. Music can be heard at both the beach and at Watergate Bay.

How to move around in Newquay

There is a reliable bus service running many routes throughout the town, and it services the nearby villages as well. For convenience, it might be worth considering hiring a car.

The climate in Newquay

The town faces the mighty Atlantic Ocean as well as prevailing westerly winds. This environment means that Newquay is often humid during the warmer summer months, especially when the temperature exceeds its usual average of 19.4° C. The winters are known to be very mild, bringing pleasant temperatures of around 13° C. The brisk weather enables the town of Newquay, like the rest of Cornwall, to enjoy the spring season early. Most people find the best months to visit this holiday destination are from May to October.