Newquay has been a popular fishing port for centuries, but nowadays its cluster of beaches and curved headland bring thousands of visitors looking for something very different from the sea; big waves. If you’re considering booking one of the hundreds of hotels in Newquay then chances are you’re already aware of its reputation for exciting surfing and exciting nightlife, with a backdrop of some of the best (and most beautiful) beaches in the UK, if not the whole of Europe.
The stunning coastline and the natural protection offered by the headland around Newquay harbour have attracted settlers since as far back as the Iron Age, but it was from the 15th Century onwards that the town really began to grow as a fishing port, (one which became famous in the nineteenth century for pilchards). However, after the arrival of the trains it began to attract seasonal visitors, who came not only for the fresh pilchards, but also for the views from the town; built as it is on cliffs overlooking miles and miles of clean sandy beaches and white rolling waves.
These cliffs and rolling waves have become ever more enticing in the twentieth century, particularly as the sport of surfing has grown and grown, and Newquay has almost single-handedly built the UK’s own surf scene. In turn, surfing has been responsible for the massive rise in bars, clubs, shops and attractions as well as the ever-increasing numbers of cafes and hotels in Newquay town centre.
That is not to say however that surfing is the only reason to visit. With miles and miles of beaches and dramatic coastline to swim, stroll, bike or hike along, and with a massive selection of water-sports and adrenalin sports other than surfing, there is plenty to test or rest the body on holiday. From hotels in Newquay town centre sitting right on the beach, to boutique hotels tucked away on dramatic cliff-tops looking out over the Atlantic, and from beautiful gardens to marine aquariums, there is something for everyone in this intriguing and exciting town. With a bohemian and vibrant nightlife and an ever-growing number of festivals, (from real ale to slow food to literary festivals), wildlife watching trips, sporting competitions, and a growing reputation as a quiet winter retreat, Newquay has something for every visitor.
Newquay hotels also offer the perfect base from which to explore the rest of Cornwall, from the varied and awe-inspiring coastline, to nearby Bude or St Ives, to a day trip to the wonderful Biomes of the Eden Project.
Read more about things to do in Newquay or find out how to get to Newquay.