Local Guides
A Local’s Guide to Newquay
A salt-kissed boho hub with a hippy heart and some manicured areas, Newquay is a soulful surfer’s paradise with eye-popping natural scenery. See our local’s guide to Newquay.
27 July 2023
Newquay
Salt-kissed Newquay has re-invented itself as one of Cornwall’s coolest beach destinations. Stylish cocktail bars nudge the shore, celeb chefs and swanky eateries are putting the town on the foodie radar, and – instead of partying till sunrise – these days the locals are more likely to get up with the sun and go surfing. From lively summers to atmospheric winters, Newquay offers a Kernow‑style playground with something for everyone.
People have flocked to Newquay’s beach since Victorian times – and for good reason. Dubbed the UK’s surfing capital, Newquay boasts a littering of breaks that light up in different conditions, alongside pockets of white sand from where spectators bask and watch the waves. From swimming in the harbour and paddling in rock pools, to bellyboarding the ‘wedge’ at Tolcarne and watching pros compete at Fistral, beach life in Newquay is, quite simply, some of the best in Britain.
Whether you’re a local seeking some new adventures or a visitor planning your trip, we’ve got you covered. From chilling out at Newquay Harbour to strolling along Fistral Beach, there’s something for everyone in one of Cornwall’s coolest towns.
From the Michelin-recommended Fish House, to and Sushea and Rosa (where Italo-American plates come with mini golf), Newquay serves up an eclectic menu of fresh local eats – many plating up glorious views over the sea. With a fab location and irresistibly inviting atmosphere, The Boathouse at Newquay Harbour is a mecca for foodies, serving “global eats from local peeps” from a street food market that serves everything from local crab tacos to heavenly chocolate-drizzled waffles.
Discover Newquay’s coolest new bars and cafes >
If you’re holidaying in Newquay there is no shortage of amazing places to stay in and around the town. From cliff-top hotels and sea view apartments, to vibrant surf lodges and laid-back campsites, Newquay has something for everyone.
Vibey and laidback, Newquay presents a gorgeous string of beaches lined with cool cafés, salt-weathered surf shops, art-packed galleries, and restaurants – all thrumming to the heartbeat of a buzzing local community. Its network of seafront proms, sun-bleached avenues and quiet corners are crammed with hidden gems and local secrets if you know where to look.
A salt-kissed boho hub with a hippy heart and some manicured areas, Newquay is a soulful surfer’s paradise with eye-popping natural scenery. See our local’s guide to Newquay.
Cornwall’s surfing capital, Newquay, has shrugged off its full-throttle party reputation and re-invented itself as one of Cornwall’s coolest beach
