Best Outdoor Activities in Newquay

"Porthminster Beach is a large sheltered sandy beach, making it especially good for families, and located next to the St Ives train station; there is a car park, too, although in the busy season this will fill pretty quickly. It’s a Blue Flag beach with good facilities and lifeguard cover from May 19th to the end of September. There is a seasonal dog ban."

"Crantock Beach is a 15 minute drive from Newquay town centre and was voted Best British Beach in 2013 by the BBC!. Walk over the looming sand dune and marvel at the awe inspiring view on offer, the beautiful expanse of golden sand and glittering blue sea will wash all your stresses away and makes for a great seaside family day out!. Drop into the Fern Pit where you can order a cooked lobster that has been freshly caught that morning, and take a walk along the headland overlooking the bay too."

"Owned and cared for by the National Trust, this beach is a knock-out!. Backed by grassy sand dunes, the beach sits between the Pentire Headland and the Gannel Estuary – so there’s no shortage of gorgeous natural landscapes nearby. Crantock is dog-friendly year-round, and there’s plenty of space for your four-legged friend to explore when the tide goes out."

"Crantock Beach is a stunning golden sandy beach in Newquay located just west of Fistral. Popular with surfers, Crantock is great not just for surfing but also for sheltered bathing. A popular surfing pub sits close to the beach and all essential facilities are on-site making it a good option for families."

"Perranporth's huge, flat, sandy beach is a favourite for everyone: dog-walkers, bucket-and-spade families, kite-buggiers and surfers alike. Its main draw is its sheer size – more than a mile long, backed by dunes and rocky cliffs – meaning there's usually space for everyone even on the busiest days. It's home to the Watering Hole, the hub of local nightlife."

"Two miles from St Agnes is one of Cornwall's most beautiful coves, Chapel Porth, a wild, rocky beach framed by steep, gorse-covered cliffs, owned by the National Trust. Above the cove is the ruined engine stack of Wheal Coates, which still boasts its chimney and winding house, from where the coast path winds all the way to the blustery outcrop of St Agnes Head. It's a panorama that graces many a postcard – don't forget your camera."

"Grandly located at the head of the Fal estuary, 4 miles south of Truro, Trelissick is one of Cornwall's most beautiful aristocratic estates, with a formal garden filled with magnolias and hydrangeas, surrounded by a huge expanse of green fields and parkland criss-crossed by trails. The grand, 19th-century neo-Palladian house has been reopened to the public, and hosts exhibitions exploring the estate's history. If you just want to explore the estate grounds, parking costs £4."

"One of these activities is The Lost Gardens of Heligan – the most popular botanical gardens in the UK. For the small entrance fee, you can wander around 200 acres of gardens in many different styles, and even visit the iconic sculptures: The Giant’s Head, Mud Maid and Grey Lady."

"26/05/2021: Just out of lockdown I wanted good food and a great vibe. Got this in masses here. Staff super friendly and attentive, amazing burger and tacos, the sticky toffee pudding was one of the best I've tasted in a long time."

"With its exposed brick, scuffed timber, bare bulbs and blazing wood-burner, this bistro on the ground floor of the Artist Residence Penzance nails the hipster aesthetic, but it has substance as well as style...."

"This rustic restaurant has its own smokehouse and a commitment to fresh, local Cornish produce. The Cornish Barn’s lunch menu is deliciously simple, featuring creative burgers and hearty salads."

"Situated on another one of our ‘Blue Flag’ awarded beaches, Porthgwidden Café is an idyllic spot to sit and enjoy the crystal-clear sea and white sand beach, all whilst enjoying a few delectable Mediterranean and Asian style dishes. The ambience of Porthgwidden Beach Café is both relaxed and friendly, hence why it is even more perfect to head there on a sunny spring day to enjoy some food and drinks in the sunshine!. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner throughout the day and you can expect a great meal if visiting for any of these meals."

"Hidden in a white-sand cove at the foot of St Ives’ Island, this is the lesser-known little sister of the eminent Porthminster Café. A smaller, more relaxed version of its famous relative, here the best local ingredients are wrapped into dishes such as paella and moules marinière. As well as a kids’ menu and delicious cakes, its family-friendly credentials are boosted by nearby parking and outdoor seating overlooking the beautiful Blue Flag beach.www.porthgwiddencafe.co.uk"

"Hidden away on the beach of Porthgwidden is the smallest of the Porthminster collection of restaurants, but by no means does it not offer the same exceptional quality. Perfect for a bite to eat, a relaxing drink by the sea or a night out Porthgwidden is the closest restaurant to our luxury self catering accommodation, so what are you waiting for?. Image credits: Porthmeor Beach Cafe, Cornish Deli, Porthminster Beach Cafe, One Fish Street, Porthgwidden Beach Cafe."

"Charlestown's seagoing heritage is explored at this fascinating museum, which houses a massive collection of objects and ephemera recovered from more than 150 shipwrecks – ranging from telescopes, muskets, scrimshaw and coins to howitzer cannons and a few pieces from the Titanic and Lusitania. The layout is a bit of a jumble, but there are some fascinating stories to uncover here.A combination ticket also offers entry to the Port of Charlestown nearby."