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Pictures of Newquay

in the county of Cornwall

The Harbour @ Newquay

About Newquay

What a rare blessing Newquay has in its mile upon mile of sheltered, golden beaches that offer a safe haven for sun-worshippers and surfers alike. For these are the delights that each year cause Newquay to be thronged with thousands of visitors from all over the British Isles and beyond.

Like so many other famous Cornish resorts, this little town can trace its roots back to the Bronze Age and this is evidenced by the number of barrows found in the area. Newquay was, for many centuries, a small fishing village known for a good catch of pilchards. The occupations of fishing and smuggling provided the main source of income for many families and to this day, old yarns and legends telling of the plunder of ships wreched on these shores, are swopped nightly in the pubs and inns of local coastal villages. One such story surrounds Huer's House which stands high on a cliff above the harbour. It is said that this house provided a look out point in the 18th and 19th-centuries when the seas were often awash with great shoals of pilchards. The lookout kept watch for the fish and guided the boats towards them by roaring instructions down a horn said to be 1 yard long! Legend tells too, of catches worth in excess of twenty thousand pounds and of fish enough to load a thousand carts. What stirring times these must have been.

During the 16th and the 19th-centuries Newquay prospered from the opening up of the Cornish mines. Newquay produced Lead, Silver and Copper and this brought a measure of stability to the town and it's people. The other great advent for Newquay was the building of the rail line in 1875. The line was built to carry goods back and forth to major towns and cities throughout the country but word soon spread of Newquay's vast sandy beaches and tourists of the Victorian era quickly found their way to what until now had remained a largely undiscovered area. There was an increase in building activity, splendid houses and beautiful hotels were built. Newquay, has never looked back, it is England's foremost surfing resort and as such drawers visitors from the world over, including international surfing champions. It also remains Cornwall's largest seaside town with no less than ten beautiful beaches of which the most sheltered is south facing Towan beach. In contrast, a walk through the west facing Fistral beach reveals sand dunes and a golf course.

Apart from the pleasurable activity of surfing, the summer sees increased activity in yachting and Gig racing. This commemorates a time when gigs powered by teams of oarsmen piloted vessels to the safety of the harbour. It is an enjoyable sport that has a derservedly increased following.

Trenance Gardens are a continual delight with a wealth of colourful flowers, interesting plants and shrubs. The gardens are situate to the rear of the town in a pleasant tree lined area.. Other attractions include indoor and outside swimming pools, an aquarium and a museum. Fishing trips can be arranged for all kinds of fish including shark and there are pleasure boat trips from which to enjoy the magnificent scenery of this fine coastal resort. To watch the great atlantic rollers from the headland above Newquay's picturesque old harbour is one of life's great joys, it is a never to be forgotten experience that will live long in your memory.


Planning a visit? Please see below for other recommended towns, attractions and recommended hotels nearby.

Distances and directions below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Newquay

Newquay Zoo(0.2 miles, 0.4 km)Pictures
Blue Reef Aquarium, Newquay(0.4 miles, 0.7 km)Pictures
Trerice(2.5 miles, 4.1 km, direction SE)Pictures
Carnewas & Bedruthan Steps(5.0 miles, 8.0 km, direction NE)Pictures
Callestock Cider Farm(7.6 miles, 12.3 km, direction S)Pictures
Trevose Head Lighthouse(9.3 miles, 15.0 km, direction N)Pictures
St. Agnes Leisure Park(9.4 miles, 15.2 km, direction SW)Pictures
Prideaux Place(10.5 miles, 16.8 km, direction NE)Pictures
Trewithen Gardens(10.7 miles, 17.2 km, direction SE)Pictures
Truro Cathedral(10.8 miles, 17.3 km, direction S)Pictures
Trelissick Garden(13.8 miles, 22.3 km, direction S)Pictures
Lost Gardens of Heligan(14.5 miles, 23.3 km, direction SE)Pictures
Gwenapp Pit(14.5 miles, 23.4 km, direction SW)Pictures
The Eden Project(15.1 miles, 24.4 km, direction E)Pictures
Pine Lodge Gardens(15.2 miles, 24.5 km, direction E)Pictures

All attractions in Newquay
All attractions in Cornwall
Complete A to Z of attractions in England

Recommended towns near Newquay

Crantock, a Picturesque Village in the county of Cornwall (1.9 miles, 3.1 km, direction SW)
Situated on the River Gannel's estuary, Crantock beach offers low-tide sand backed by a broad expanse of dunes and low cliffs. It...
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Holywell, in the county of Cornwall (3.6 miles, 5.8 km, direction SW)
This pretty place is quieter than most on this coastline, it has a golden sandy beach stretching to almost a mile which offers idyllic sun-bathing and swimming conditions.
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Mawgan Porth, in the county of Cornwall (4.0 miles, 6.5 km, direction NE)
The glorious, almost white sands of Mawgan Porth, matches the creamy tips of the tumbling waves lapping the shore of this lovely coastal resort.
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St Eval, in the county of Cornwall (5.7 miles, 9.2 km, direction NE)
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Perranporth, in the county of Cornwall (5.9 miles, 9.5 km, direction SW)
Perranporth has a spectacular golden sandy beach which stretches for about 3 miles along the coast.
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Porthcothan, in the county of Cornwall (6.8 miles, 11.0 km, direction N)
Wildlife, wild plants, flowers, and winding lanes are typical of this part of Cornwall where Porthcothan beach is backed by an area of low dunes.
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Trevellas, in the county of Cornwall (7.7 miles, 12.5 km, direction SW)
Lovely coastal region lying at the mouth of Trevellas Coombe, a steep valley with stone built tall chimneys and the shell of a derelict engine house still standing as evocative reminders of the old Blue Hills Tin Mine.
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Constantine Bay, in the county of Cornwall (8.5 miles, 13.6 km, direction N)
Constantine Bay lies south of Padstow, and just a short distance from Trevose Head. Here visitors will find a marvellous...
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St Agnes, in the county of Cornwall (9.1 miles, 14.6 km, direction SW)
Once one of the centers of the cornish tin mining industry, St Agnes is steeped in mining history, with many old engine houses to...
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Padstow, a Picturesque Village in the county of Cornwall (10.4 miles, 16.8 km, direction NE)
Padstow has become a phenomenon of the latter half of the 20th-century when Chef, Rick Stein, together with his endearing little dog, Chalky first burst upon our T.V. screens following the opening of his famous "Seafood Restaurant" which has since become a Mecca for fish and seafood lovers from all over the country and Europe.
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Truro, a Historic Market Town in the county of Cornwall (10.6 miles, 17.0 km, direction S)
Truro, today is Cornwall's unofficial capital and adminstrative centre but in the Middle Ages Truro was one of the towns which controlled Cornwall's flourishing tin mining industry.
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Rock, in the county of Cornwall (11.6 miles, 18.7 km, direction NE)
Rock is known to have been visited by at least one Royal Prince.
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Wadebridge, in the county of Cornwall (12.4 miles, 20.0 km, direction NE)
This enchanting place, is close to Padstow and Rock which are now renowed as excellent surfing resorts.
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Polzeath, in the county of Cornwall (12.9 miles, 20.8 km, direction NE)
This is an area of pleasant coves, delightful bays and quaint villages.
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New Polzeath, in the county of Cornwall (13.2 miles, 21.2 km, direction NE)
New Polzeath overlooks the extensive sands at Hayles Bay, where westerly winds provide perfect conditions for surfers. Just north of New Polzeath you can find steps leading to a beautiful beach.
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All towns in Cornwall
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Nearby travel help

Newquay Station(0.3 miles, 0.5 km)
Quintrel Downs Station(2.0 miles, 3.3 km, direction SE)
Newquay (Cornwall) Airport(3.6 miles, 5.7 km, direction NE)
Plymouth City Airport(42.6 miles, 68.5 km, direction E)
M5 Junction 31(71.1 miles, 114.3 km, direction E)
M5 Junction 30(73.8 miles, 118.8 km, direction E)
Newquay to London(228.7 miles, 368.1 km, direction E)

Hotels & Accommodation in Newquay

Hotel NameApproximate distance from Newquay center
Grand Palm Hotel(0.0 miles, 0.0 km)
Holmwood Guest House(0.1 miles, 0.2 km)
Cliffdene Hotel(0.1 miles, 0.2 km)
Hotel Bristol(0.2 miles, 0.3 km)
The Silver Jubilee(0.2 miles, 0.4 km)
St Bernards(0.2 miles, 0.4 km)
Invernook Hotel(0.2 miles, 0.4 km)
Trebarwith Hotel(0.3 miles, 0.4 km)
Edgcumbe Hotel(0.3 miles, 0.5 km)
Tregella Hotel(0.3 miles, 0.5 km)
All hotels in Newquay

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