🇬🇧United Kingdom · Places to discover
What to see in Newquay?
33 places selected by the community - landmarks, nature, hidden restaurants and activities.
Landmarks & heritage
8 places
1Wikipedia · CC BY-SALandmark
Trerice Manor (National Trust)
Superbly preserved 16th-century Elizabethan manor a few kilometres south-east of Newquay, complete with formal gardens and fine art collections. One of Cornwall's best-kept National Trust secrets.
2Wikipedia · CC BY-SALandmark
St Columb Minor Church
Norman parish church dating from the 12th century in the village now absorbed into Newquay, with its lichen-covered churchyard and sturdy tower typical of Cornwall. Rarely visited by tourists.
3Wikipedia · CC BY-SALandmark
Newquay Huer's Hut
A modest medieval watchtower on the cliff from which lookouts once signalled the arrival of sardine shoals to fishermen. A rare surviving trace of a vanished Cornish tradition.
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Landmark
Landmark
Penhallow & Goonhavern Standing Stones
Prehistoric standing stones and Bronze Age remains scattered through the hinterland beyond Newquay, silent witnesses to ancient Cornish civilisation. A rewarding detour for those interested in Celtic archaeology.
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Landmark
Landmark
Barrowfields War Memorial
Austere war memorial perched on the clifftop overlooking Porth Beach, surrounded by a heather garden. The setting is peaceful and the vista across the jagged coastline eastwards is breathtaking.
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Landmark
Landmark
Trenance Heritage Cottages
Row of preserved 18th-century Cornish cottages in Trenance Park, now operating as a living museum. A forgotten corner of the countryside just a ten-minute walk from the town centre.
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Landmark
Landmark
Newquay Harbour
The old fishing port, unchanged since the 17th century, with its colourful boats and restored pilchard stores. Early morning reveals its true character as an authentic fishing village.
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Landmark
Landmark
Headland Hotel & Spa
An imposing Victorian hotel perched on the cliff between Fistral and Towan, Newquay's architectural symbol since 1900. Even without staying, its terrace commands a 180° Atlantic view.
Castles & fortresses
1 place
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Castle
Castle
Trevalgue Head Iron Age Cliff Castle
Fortified Iron Age promontory overlooking the sea near Porth, with ramparts still discernible. One of the region's most impressive archaeological sites, remarkably overlooked by the mainstream tourist trail.
Nature
4 places
10Wikipedia · CC BY-SANature
The Gannel Estuary
Winding estuary between Newquay and Crantock, designated a protected natural area, ideal for kayaking and birdwatching. At high tide, the landscape resembles a miniature fjord.
11Wikipedia · CC BY-SANature
Cubert Common & Cubert Village
Preserved common land surrounding Cubert village, dominated by its sturdy 14th-century church tower. The path crossing the heath delivers sweeping views across the Cornish hinterland without a soul in sight.
12Wikipedia · CC BY-SANature
Porth Reservoir & Nature Reserve
Reservoir surrounded by heathland and woodland, managed as a nature reserve with accessible circular trails for all abilities. An excellent vantage point for observing migrating birds in autumn.
13Wikipedia · CC BY-SANature
Pentire Headland
Grassy promontory belonging to the National Trust, lying between Fistral and the Gannel, with coastal footpaths and sweeping Atlantic views. Less celebrated than nearby beaches, it's a geological gem.
Parks & gardens
1 place
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Park
Park
Newquay Orchard Community Garden
Volunteer-run community garden featuring an orchard, vegetable plots and gathering spaces. An authentic place to meet locals and understand life beyond the tourist season.
Viewpoints
4 places
15Wikipedia · CC BY-SAViewpoint
Bedruthan Steps
Series of giant rocks emerging from the beach, sculpted by Atlantic erosion, accessed via a steep National Trust stairway. One of Cornwall's most photographed coastal vistas.
16Wikipedia · CC BY-SAViewpoint
Watergate Bay
Vast 3 km beach buffeted by Atlantic winds, a paradise for kitesurfing and speed sailing. The ochre cliff rising to the north is amongst Cornwall's most spectacular coastal formations.
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Viewpoint
Viewpoint
Newquay Lighthouse (Towan Head)
Modest lighthouse perched atop Towan Head, reached on foot from the town centre. The panorama across the Atlantic and surrounding beaches ranks among the finest on the north Cornish coast.
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Viewpoint
Viewpoint
Newquay Tretherras Cliff Path
Coastal footpath stretching north from Newquay towards Porth and Watergate Bay, revealing views of otherwise inaccessible coves. Locals tackle it at sunrise to dodge the midday throng.
Activities
5 places
19Wikipedia · CC BY-SAActivity
Lappa Valley Steam Railway
Miniature steam railway set in countryside 8 km from Newquay, running along a 19th-century disused mining line. A delightful escape from the coastal crowds, beloved by local families.
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Activity
Activity
Newquay AFC - Tretherras Road Ground
Home ground of the local football club founded in 1890, where locals gather weekends to support their side. Catching a Southern League match offers an authentic taste of Cornish community life.
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Activity
Activity
Blue Reef Aquarium Newquay
Aquarium showcasing Cornish and tropical marine fauna, centred around an immersive underwater tunnel. Nurse shark diving experiences attract both visitors and locals in equal measure.
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Activity
Activity
Otter Surfboards Workshop
Artisanal wooden surfboard factory, one of the few remaining in Britain. Watch craftspeople at work and gain insight into Cornwall's most authentic surfing culture.
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Activity
Activity
Newquay Zoo
Intimate zoo set within Trenance Gardens, focused on endangered species conservation. Less crowded than the major coastal attractions, it's genuinely rewarding for families visiting out of season.
Beaches
9 places
24Wikipedia · CC BY-SABeach
Lusty Glaze Beach
Private cove nestled between dramatic cliffs, accessible only by a steep staircase. More secluded than the main beaches, with a well-regarded beach restaurant and lively summer evening events.
25Wikipedia · CC BY-SABeach
Porth Beach & Island
Quiet beach 2 km north of the town centre, with a rocky island accessible on foot at low tide. The hinterland is a little-known butterfly reserve.
26Wikipedia · CC BY-SABeach
Mawgan Porth Beach
Crescent-shaped wild cove a few kilometres north of Newquay, with an estuary and unspoilt dunes. Locals flock here for surfing and a refreshingly uncommercial atmosphere.
27Wikipedia · CC BY-SABeach
Whipsiderry Beach
Modest wild beach reached by a steep path from the Porth cliffs, largely bypassed even at peak season. The rock pools at low tide host some of the region's richest marine fauna.
28Wikipedia · CC BY-SABeach
Holywell Bay
Wild beach 8 km south of Newquay, featuring vast dunes and a sea cave that reveals a freshwater spring at low tide. Less crowded, it's the locals' preferred choice.
29Wikipedia · CC BY-SABeach
Fistral Beach
England's most celebrated surf beach, blessed with consistent waves that draw pros and beginners alike. The atmosphere is authentically laid-back, refreshingly unpretentious, especially outside summer.
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Beach
Beach
Tolcarne Beach
Red sandstone cliff-backed beach noticeably quieter than Fistral despite its proximity to the town centre. Local surfers favour it for early morning sessions before the day-trippers arrive.
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Beach
Beach
Crantock Beach
Family-friendly beach sheltered by the Gannel estuary, reached on foot from Newquay across the ford at low tide. The dune belt behind the beach is a remarkable designated natural area.
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Beach
Beach
Towan Beach
Newquay's central beach, dominated by a rocky islet connected by a suspension footbridge to a private house perched atop. An iconic panorama few towns can claim.
More to discover
1 place
- 33
Place
Place
Newquay Old Town Lane & Fore Street
Historic high street in old Newquay, with surviving Victorian facades and independent shops. Locals still do their daily shopping here, away from the seafront bustle.
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