20 Mar Enjoy the Perfect Family Day Out in Newquay: The Home of Surfing, Cornish Watersports, Beach Walks and Ice Cream
- Learn to surf in Newquay with SSS
- Explore Newquay’s coastline and caves with Newquay Coasteering
- Treat yourself to an ice cream on the beach
- Visit the Blue Reef Aquarium or Newquay Zoo
- Rent a pedalo at Trenance Gardens and Leisure Park
- Discover Newquay’s best kept secret – the River Gannel
- Experience the magic of the Lappa Valley Railway
Newquay: 6 miles from Atlantic Reach, 10 minute drive time
One of the best things about Atlantic Reach is its prime location, close to many of Cornwall’s greatest attractions and beaches. By basing yourself at Atlantic Reach, you’ll have a wealth of ocean and land adventures at your fingertips, the North and South coasts within striking distance, and endless options for days-out that are perfect for families who love Cornwall.
The following is a local’s guide to the best things to do in Newquay. We’ve done everything on the list and loved every single minute of it, that’s why we feel confident recommending it to you, our lovely Atlantic Reach guests. There is way more on this itinerary than you’d be able to cram into one day, but think of it as a wish list, packed full of tried and tested activities that can help you create your own dream days out in Newquay.
Get the inside scoop on the best day out in Newquay
Just six miles away from Atlantic Reach sits Newquay, the jewel in the crown of the Cornish surf scene. Fistral beach is world famous and Newquay Bay is known locally as The Bay of Dreams, but there is more to Newquay than just surfing.
With seven sandy beaches to choose from, Newquay offers a beach vibe to suit every family whether your kids want to wile away hours with a bucket and spade, paddle in rock pools, explore caves or sniff out the best waves of the day. Each beach has its own style and character, so think you know Newquay? Think again. There is so much more to explore here…
Fancy an ocean adventure? Learn to surf with SSS Surf School
If you’ve never surfed but fancy giving it a go, we suggest an initial lesson to get your surfing journey off on the right foot. You’ll learn how to handle your board safely, and pick up good habits and the correct technique from the start. *SPOILER ALERT* surfing is not the easiest sport out there, but you’re guaranteed to find the learning experience much more enjoyable with a lesson under your belt.
We recommend SSS Surf School who have an unbeatable location right on the sand at family-friendly Towan Beach, bang in the heart of Newquay. Towan is well known for being the most sheltered beach in Newquay – the perfect place to learn to surf. Think of a baby ski slope, the same logic applies for your first surfing experience, especially if you’re surfing as a family. SSS are professional, qualified and experienced, and offer private, group, and family surf lessons throughout the day, from sunrise to sunset and anytime in-between.
If you’ve had a surf lesson before or are confident surfing without an instructor, then SSS will be delighted to help you with surfboard rental, giving you plenty of opportunity to practise your skills. Just remember to stay within the black and white flags if you’re surfing, and the red and yellow flags if you’re swimming or bodyboarding, and always pay attention to the lifeguard’s instructions.
Other fun ocean activities: Bodyboarding, Stand Up paddle Boarding (SUP) and Super SUP
Although overshadowed by its cooler sibling (surfing), don’t underestimate the fun you can have on a bodyboard. It’s often mistakenly dismissed as a kids activity, but this is underselling this super fun and accessible sport. Yes the kids will love it, but so will you, the progression is a lot faster than surfing, meaning that most people can be riding waves within a matter of minutes. It’s a sport that the family can have fun doing together, and having fun is exactly what the ocean is all about.
SSS also specialise in Stand Up Paddle Board tours of Newquay Bay, usually running at high tide for a nice smooth launch from the centre. The SUP tours will take you along the length of Towan headland, and explore the network of caves frequented by Newquay’s infamous smugglers of days gone by. SSS also have a Super SUP, which is the most fun a group of you can have on the water together. Imagine a giant paddle board that can take a guide and perhaps 8-10 guests, and all of the water fights, games, wobbles and splashes that ensue when a family goes on an ocean adventure together. Wetsuits, buoyancy aids and helmets are provided.
Explore the coastline with Newquay Coasteering!
Coasteering is a super fun, land and ocean adventure that combines swimming, caving, climbing and jumping. Often seen as an adrenaline-fuelled activity, please know that each individual coasteer tour is adapted to suit the tide and ocean conditions, as well as the water confidence and ability levels of the participants.
Some families love cliff jumps, learning the correct techniques and gradually working their way from low ledges right up to 10 metre jumps during the course of the coasteer. Other families love to hear the stories of the coastline, and focus on the marine life, rock pools and caves they may encounter along the route. How you experience the coasteer is your choice, the main objective is to have fun, and follow the instructions of the guides who are on hand to keep you safe along the way.
We recommend Newquay Coasteering, an independent business that prides itself on delivering high quality coasteer tours along the most scenic and spectacular parts of the Newquay coastline.
Led by an expert guide you’ll journey along the coastline in the most exciting and imaginative way possible, getting close to nature and exploring a side of Newquay that not many people experience. Newquay Coasteering can adapt the routes to suit all members of the group and ensure everyone has a great experience. Coasteering is about pushing your boundaries in a supportive and fun way, and that’s going to look different for every member of the family.
Treat yourself to an ice cream by the sea
A ‘pinch yourself’ moment on every holiday has to be the first ice cream of the trip, so make sure it’s a fabulous one in an amazing location! Just along from SSS, is a wonderful ice cream kiosk that sits on the boardwalk just above Towan beach. ‘Ice Cream by the Sea’ promises the best whippy style ice creams in town, with a choice of all the toppings you can imagine. There is also a delicious range of artisan gelato ice cream to deliberate over – choosing your flavour might be the toughest decision of the day! The kiosk has a million dollar view from its seating area, and the prices are reasonable too. Win win!
Explore the underwater world at Blue Reef Aquarium
Also situated on Towan Beach, is the Blue Reef Aquarium, which offers families the chance to explore the magic of our underwater world. There are fascinating exhibits of local Cornish marine life, as well as a huge array of tropical species on display. Immerse yourself in the wonder of the ocean as you walk through the aquarium’s underwater tunnel. Witness the range of marine life that inhabits our oceans, from the beauty of starfish and seahorses right up to the majesty of tropical sharks.
Blue Reef is dedicated to educating children about the ocean and conservation, but in a fun and engaging way. There are regular talks and feeding displays throughout the day, and so much to see and discover. A visit to Blue Reef is sure to be a highlight of the holiday!
Discover the exotic at Newquay Zoo!
Newquay Zoo is an education and research charity, on a mission to conserve species and habitats, and inspire us all to do more to protect wildlife.
Newquay Zoo is home to over 130 species, some of which are amongst the world’s most rare and endangered animals – check out the Red pandas! See these incredible creatures up close, learn about them and support Newquay Zoo in its wildlife conservation work. We recommend you allow at least 2-3 hours to enjoy Newquay Zoo properly.
Trenance Gardens and the boating lake
Take a stroll around the beautiful Trenance Gardens, and it may well be the most civilised part of your day in Newquay. Glorious rose gardens bloom, streams gurgle and the picturesque lake is home to swans, ducks, geese and all sorts of migrating sea birds. Rent a pedalo or a row boat for that quintessential holiday feeling! There are benches dotted around and an accessible path which is suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs. Refreshments are available too.
Discover Newquay’s best kept secret
If your family likes to walk, then just a few steps from Trenance Gardens and the boating lake you’ll find Newquay’s best kept secret: the picturesque wildlife haven that is the river Gannel estuary. You can walk from Newquay town centre, or closer parking options include either Pentire Headland car park (on the Newquay side) or Crantock Beach National Trust car park (on the Crantock side).
At low tide, the Gannel is a sandy paradise, perfect for dog walking and horse riding, and at high tide a paddleboard and kayak hotspot. It is a tidal estuary and the river flows very fast at certain stages on the tide, so always check the tide times, stay aware of your surroundings and if swimming/surfing/bodyboarding etc. stay within the lifeguard flags.
About half way along the Gannel, there is a small wooden footbridge that is only exposed a couple of hours either side of low tide. As the tide drops the bridge suddenly appears as if by magic, linking Newquay and Crantock with just a few easy steps. A note of caution: the opposite happens when the tide rises, the bridge suddenly disappears and is covered by a substantial amount of water for the next 6 hours or so. So if you are exploring the Gannel, please check the tide times before crossing the bridge to ensure smooth passage back. Worst case scenario if you get caught out by the tide, there is another bridge about a mile upstream (by Trenance Gardens) that depending on the tide may be accessible, or there are regular buses from Crantock to Newquay.
Get a taste of Lappa Valley magic
Just a few miles outside of Newquay lies one of the most unique family attractions in Cornwall, possibly the UK, the Lappa Valley Railway. Lappa Valley offers an experience akin to taking the Hogwarts Express from platform 9 ¾. We accept, it’s not a steam train packed with broomsticks and owls, but, this is no normal train ride. Prepare to be transported to a far-away land, a sweet, secret world of family-friendly fun and adventure, which is sure to delight children and adults alike. Surrounded by nature, trains and boats your kids can let off steam in the great outdoors, there is indoor soft play incase of mizzle and a cafe to refuel in before your return journey to reality.
After an action-packed day in Newquay…
After an action-packed day in Newquay, returning the short hop to Atlantic Reach will feel like coming home. Everything you could wish for is here, so relax, there’s no reason to leave again this evening. If anyone has gas in the tank, then feel free to enjoy the pool, challenge each other to mini golf or have a blast at laser tag; there are options for adventure at every turn here.
Campers and guests of our self catering cottages can either rustle up some grub themselves, or to let the team at The Manor Arms pub and restaurant do the work instead. Either way, an evening spent relaxing with the family is on the cards, recounting the highlights of the coasteer, or regaling each other with wave by wave accounts of the surf lesson.
After a brilliant day in Newquay, spirits will be high, and memories made that will last a lifetime.
But the holiday isn’t over yet! What shall tomorrow’s adventure be?
If you’d like to try out this amazing Newquay itinerary for yourself, then book your holiday at Atlantic Reach this year. You can find out more about our self catering cottages and camping options, and check availability online.