Newquay is one of the more popular tourist destinations in Cornwall, and less than a 10-minute drive from Perran Springs Holiday Park.
Whether you’re camping alone or with your family – the below activities and attractions highlight that there are plenty of things to do in and around Newquay.
Learn how to surf
Newquay is known for its great surfing conditions, and world surfing competitions are regularly held at Fistral. – so where better to learn to surf? Within Newquay you’ll find many surf schools that offer lessons for beginners that will help you to learn the basics so you can get out there and start riding those waves. It’s recommended to shop around and discuss your needs with the surfing instructors, to find the surf school which suits you best.
Explore the wonders of the ocean at the Blue Reef Aquarium
Housing over 40 displays and a wide range of ocean wildlife from the local Cornish coast to the tropics – the Blue Reef Aquarium is an interesting and informative place to visit. It is home to hundreds of species including octopus, turtles, seahorses, and sharks. There is an underwater tunnel where you walk through a breathtaking coral reef display and get an up closer look at the sharks, rays any many more fishing swimming around. It will only take an hour or two to walk around, but the amount of species you will see is a great experience for both adults and children.
Take in the wildlife at the Newquay Zoo
Newquay Zoo is the ideal place to visit. It houses a wide range of species in its specially designed habitats – including monkeys, penguins, lions, snakes, meerkats, toucans, and much more. There is a nice bird Avery where you can walk through and get up close to them. For a family day out in Newquay, you could spend three or more hours here, there is also a nice café and gift shop aswell.
Play a few rounds of golf at the Newquay Golf Club
Would you rather relax and unwind over a few holes of golf? If so then the Newquay Golf Club will be able to cater to your needs. It is a picturesque 18-hole golf course and one of the finest link courses in all of Cornwall – with views that open to the Atlantic Ocean.
Explore Cornwall’s coastline on a jet ski with Cornwall Wave Runner Safaris
What better way to explore the stunning coastline around Newquay than from the back of a jet ski? At Cornwall Wave Runner Safaris you’ll be able to hire jet skis, trained in how to use them, then take to the waves while accompanied by an instructor who can show you around the coast and point out all of its best features. With a variety of packages to choose from, the only real question is: How much of the Newquay coastline do you want to explore, if your looking for things to do in Newquay, Cornwall Wave Runners is a great choice!
Get intimately acquainted with Cornwall’s coast on a coasteering trip
Although perhaps not for the fainthearted or those who can’t swim – coasteering is an exhilarating way to really see the rugged Cornish coast up close by climbing across it, swimming into coves, adventuring through caves, and jumping of its cliffs. Nowadays it is an extremely popular activity and there are many trips in Newquay that cater to different experience levels.
Shop for surf clothing brands
Seeing as Newquay is the surf capital of the UK, it should come as no surprise that it is a great place to shop for surf clothing brands. With numerous shops offering the latest trends in surfing lifestyle fashion, you will have no shortage of opportunities to update your wardrobe or pick up something great to wear for when you hit the beach.
Take a walk around the Newquay headland
For some of most spectacular views and a great little walk to boot, you could trek up to the Newquay headland. As you explore and take in the scenery you should be able to spot some of Cornwall’s seabirds and perhaps even some of its ocean wildlife including seals and dolphins down below. If interested you should know there is a nice circular walk that can take you from the center of Newquay down to the harbour then up to the headland before heading back into town again.
Cast your line out and fish from the rocks in Newquay
If you’re a keen angler then you may want to get some rock fishing in while you’re at Newquay. Situated as it is on the North Cornish coastline, there is an abundance of species that you could hook including mackerel, garfish, wrasse, dabs, and even some bass. Some of the best spots are from Newquay and Porth Island headlands for a variety of species, Fistral beach for bass, or along Newquay harbour for mackerel.
Pay a visit to the Newquay Harbour
Easily one of the most picturesque locations in town, the Newquay Harbour is steeped in history and is where its name originally stems from. If you want you could book a trip out to sea, or just explore the harbour, take in its views, and maybe even get a glimpse of the occasional seal that happens to bob its head above the waterline.
Watch a film at the cinema
Newquay cinemas will definitely be a nice way to kick back and take in some entertainment after a long and tiring day exploring the rest of the town, it is conveniently positioned just at then harbor end of the town and very close to the shops and car park.
Keep in mind that there are lots of other things to do in Newquay as well, and it is safe to say that you should have no problem staying entertained throughout your visit. In fact there is so much to do that it might even take you several trips before you cover everything that you’re interested in.