Location: Newquay
Top Things to do in Newquay
The 10 Best Free Things to do in Newquay, England
Catch a wave in Cornwall! Beach, surfing, and scenery draw the crowds to Newquay every summer. Perfect your tan on the beach, paddle in the shallows, or join the surfers out at sea. Just out of town, the Holywell Bay Fun Park, Newquay Zoo, and Blue Reef Aquarium provide family fun, and dedicated cycling tracks offer an alternate way to tour nearby towns of Bodmin, Padstow, and Truro.
Restaurants in Newquay
1. South West Coast Path Walk - Newquay's Twin Headlands from Newquay Station
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 90 reviews
A 5 mile walk around Newquay's fascinating shoreline on the South West Coast Path, taking in the long sandy beaches with their Atlantic breakers which make it one of Britain's surf capitals, as well as its rocky headlands with their spectacular views out over Newquay Bay. People have lived here since prehistoric times, and there are some fascinating historical features en route.
Reviewed By Steve_Lincs1 - Lincoln, United Kingdom
I’ve done several small sections of the oath. It’s well signposted, dramatic scenery is on offer everywhere. This is one of the best walks I’ve done. I’ll be back to do more.
2. Tom Thumb Cocktail Bar
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 143 reviews
Welcome to Tom Thumb, Newquay’s only award winning premium independent cocktail bar and drinks specialists. Serving extraordinary original and classic cocktails with a vast array of exceptional spirits, beers, wine, snacks and all manner of other delights.
Reviewed By loise520
I would highly recommend this bar if you love quirky and classic cocktails. My experience was brilliant! The bartender asked what type of flavours we enjoyed and used their menu to adapt and make a drink suited perfectly for us! Will definitely be back when we’re next travelling to Newquay.
3. St.Eval Church
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By erkrsm - Trabuco Canyon, United States
Our family lived here for centuries. In the mid 19th century, several migrated to Canada, then US. Built just after William the Conqueror (1066) Our families visited St Eval a few years ago and the Parish had a special service for us and our ancestors What a GREAT experience! What a warm & generous people. A special prayer for us as we held hands over the original baptismal fount (cir. 1100). St. Eval has a VERY special place in our hearts!???? Ed From CA
4. Whiskers
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 142 reviews
Reviewed By 228jennyo - Wellingborough, United Kingdom
Came to Cornwall for a two day break and came across Whiskers bar and so glad we did ????great place live bands and really great atmosphere absolutely loved it there seen a band called The Cabarats and bloody loved it was a brilliant way to end my little family break can’t wait to come back there ????
5. The Bearded Brewery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 16 reviews
Reviewed By JimB3453 - Lyndhurst, United Kingdom
Been a few times to grab some of their outstanding cider and cherry brandy but on the last visit the brewery have added an outstanding little eatery. The bagels and burgers were outstanding and the perfect accompaniment to the still stellar cider.
6. Fistral Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,365 reviews
This splendid beach offers excellent water for surfing and body boarding.
Reviewed By mummatash73
Love love this beach ... The facilities are fab.The Life Guards are highly trained & observant ..We are generally here most weekends .And while Covid has played havoc this season in Cornwall & UK .. Procedures are mainly respected with a one way system in place for restaurants /toilets ... Although it is a dog friendly beach.You wouldn’t know it the owners are in a huge majority of cases respectful
7. Polzeath Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 403 reviews
Only a ten-minute walk along a coastal path to Old Polzeath, the beach is well known for its surf, which makes it ideal for Malibu and body surfing.
Reviewed By TheNextDay - Sydney, Australia
Polzeath beach brought back many memories during our North Cornwall stay. It has that special place in my heart of windbreaks, beach cricket and Cornish ice-cream. Doesn’t seem to have changed much over the decades and the tide still goes out miles leaving a huge sandy beach. Easy to climb down to the sand or back up to the cliffs on the west side of the beach. Stunning properties adorn the other side with unrivalled views. Very picturesque surrounds which enhance its natural beauty. The town has your basic amenities, surf shops and cafes. Stay away!!
8. Watergate Bay
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 815 reviews
Reviewed By JimB3453 - Lyndhurst, United Kingdom
I have been visiting Watergate Bay for 25 years. It’s a glorious beach, with miles to explore, great waves for surfing or body boarding, attentive and helpful lifeguards, a shop, a cafe, a restaurant and three good car parks. I would recommend the car park on the cliff top, which is reasonably priced and it’s not really a long walk, I did it daily with a rucksack and longboard. I can think of nowhere else I would rather be ❤️
9. Lusty Glaze
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 308 reviews
A privately-owned beach on the North Cornish coast. Dreamy beach weddings, exclusive stays & events, and unforgettable views. Crowned Britain's Best Beach by The Sunday Times. Voted Best Coastal Wedding Venue in the 2019 UK Wedding Awards. Named Cornwall's Most Instagrammable Wedding Venue (2019).
Reviewed By WF867 - London, United Kingdom
Wow!!! We decided to elope during lockdown and my husband (!) found Lusty Glaze and booked for 26th August. I had been there once to zip-wire across the beach (never inside) a number of years ago and he had never been. He arranged everything via e-mail as Naomi and the team were working at home - over a period of a few weeks between them they gave us the wedding of our dreams. We popped down unannounced late afternoon the day before (it was raining but that couldn’t mar the beauty of Lusty Glaze) and were both very emotional once we stepped foot into the venue and met the staff. The tears of joy flowed and the staff made us so very welcome and not to feel silly at our reaction! We were encouraged to have a good look around, made a drink (and friends too by the time we left!). The next day, we arrived (full sunshine), met Naomi and Lisa, the wedding team, who were happy to be our witnesses (and impromptu bridesmaids) who duly did everything we needed, from sorting tissues (more tears of joy!), fixing Stu’s buttonhole on, sorting the music.... one of them even cried while witnessing our ceremony! :). Our truly beautiful flowers had been delivered earlier by Rachel at Blossom & Kelp and looked after by the team. We were taken onto the beach after, with a blanket to sit on and bubbles to drink. Debs Alexander, our amazing photographer was also there but so discreet and caring it was as if we were on our own. After an hour or two as the sun was setting we went into the restaurant where Topher, Liv and Diana (along with the incredible chef whose name we can’t remember) looked after us for the evening. The food was absolutely awesome and nothing at all that we coud ever have imagined. The service was totally above and beyond anything we could have hoped for and we feel we could arrive back at anytime in the future and be treated like returning friends. Thank you Lusty Glaze, a piece of the most beautiful paradise with the friendliest yet most professional team of staff ever! Wendy & Stu xxx Ps
10. Tolcarne Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 501 reviews
Reviewed By Y7443RZtracyb - Callington, United Kingdom
stunning long gold beach soft sand huge seas, beautiful views out to sea , a bit of a climb down, bars on the beach ideal for family
