Local Information

A vibrant city of sorts, Newquay - located on England's west coast - is the undisputed surf capital of the country. If you're looking for great beaches and arcades, clubbing and drinking and an overall good time - with not so much peace and quiet - Newquay is the perfect destination for you. Although it's generally a town for youth, it's not as boisterous as you may imagine, and there are also refined places for sophisticated travelers.

Living up to its role as a surfer's paradise, Newquay has no less than eleven beaches, which means that even in the busiest of times, there's a slice of seaside for everyone. The most popular is Fistral Beach, which is supposedly the best for riding the surf and thus plays host to international surfing competitions every year. Most professional surfing lessons also take place at Fistral, and are a real treat to take. The beach also has bars, small shops, food stands and arcades along with live shows by popular bands.Other great beaches include Porth - which is less crowded - Towan, Lusty Glaze and Great Western.

The city also offers a number of adventurous activities. You can explore caves, hike up a cliff, and then jump off from the top into the sea below while taking part in an activity known as coa-steering. The daring can even set out towards parts of the Cornish Islands which aren't normally accessible.

Newquay, aside from all the adventure, is also known for being a party town and is the ultimate place to just let your hair down and have a jolly good time. Whatever age bracket you fall into, the city has a huge range of amazing clubs and bars which will cater to your tastes. Some of the popular clubs include Bertie's and Sailors, which double as bars - and Tall Trees and The Beach. There are also a number of great posh restaurants if you're in the mood for a quiet, sophisticated night. If not, you can always head down to the surfing shacks and caf 's which cook up some of the greatest food in the county.

Shopping is also a significant part of the Newquay experience - especially if you're into surfing - with hundreds of shops dedicated to offering every brand and product ever made. There aren't very many high-street style shops so if you're looking for a great shopping spree its best to head out to Truro which is about twenty minutes away. The city itself does have a number of small, tourist shops that sell quaint stuff along with shells, rocks and the famed Cornish fudge.

With a unique balance of beach activities, outdoor adventure and a crazy nightlife; Newquay is one of the most happening places to visit - in the summer only - for anyone looking for a good time.