Newquay Tourist Attractions and Sightseeing

(Newquay, Cornwall, England, UK)



Breathtaking view of Fistral Beach NewquayThe town of Newquay is the perfect place for a sunny Cornish break and full of top tourist attractions. Newquay has been a major holiday destination since Victorian times, when the local china clay mining industry began its decline.

Today Newquay is one of the most visited areas of Cornwall and its many tourist attractions just get better and better. Newquay's countless attractions are almost endless and include superb sandy beaches, exceptional surfing conditions, many lively nightclubs, Cornwall's only zoo, a central aquarium, and a popular waterpark with fast slides.


Panoramic view of Newquay Beach

Beaches

One of the main attractions in the Newquay area are the superb sandy beaches, set alongside the warming waters of the Atlantic Ocean, on Cornwall's northern coastline. Often lined with quays, pathways and roads, the beaches in Newquay all have their own unique character and appeal, with the sands around the harbour being the perfect place for a spot of serious sunbathing, while other spots are often busy with fishermen and fishing boats. The main beach attractions in Newquay are as follows:


Open hours: daily - 24 hours
Admission: free

Surfing is always a popular attraction at Newquay

Surfing

The country's true surfing capital and host to many important championships which take place all through the year, surfing is a huge leisure pastime in the Newquay area. Each July, the Ripcurl Surf Festival takes place in the waters surrounding Newquay and many of the best surfers on the planet gather here to compete. Locals often choose to surf in the evenings, as the sun is beginning to set, when there are less people in the waters. Surfing attractions in Newquay include a number of surfing schools, where experienced instructors give invaluable lessons to beginners. Around Newquay, numerous surf shops provide equipment, with surfboards available for hire if required.
Open hours: daily - dawn to dusk
Admission: free

Newquay Zoo

Address: Trenance Gardens, Newquay, Cornwall, TR7 2LZ, England, UK
Tel: +44 (0)1637 873 342
Many hundreds of animal attractions are housed within the grounds of Newquay Zoo, amidst subtropical gardens and a large lake at Trenance Park. Dating back to the late 1960s and known for its conservation work, Newquay Zoo has grown considerably over the years, both in size and popularity. With a 'Tropical House' featuring many exotic reptiles and snakes, a huge aviary with rainforest-type planting, an assault course, a children's petting zoo and also an appealing 'Tarzan Trail', expect to see parrots, monkeys, lemurs, meerkats, penguins, raccoons, red pandas, big cats and numerous endangered species.
Open hours: daily April to September - 09:30 to 18:00; October to March - 10:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts for seniors, children, families, disabled visitors and carers, children three years old and under are free

Visitors enjoying the underwater attractions at Newquay's Blue Reef Aquarium

Blue Reef Aquarium

Address: Towan Promenade, Newquay, Cornwall, TR7 1DU, England, UK
Tel: +44 (0)1637 878 134
Situated next to Newquay's main beachfront and offering an insight into the underwater world beneath the surface of the oceans, the Blue Reef Aquarium can be found along the Towan Promenade and is full of interesting, fishy attractions. An underwater tunnel provides a great way to observe the surrounding sharks and colourful fish. In total there are around 30 different aquatic displays here, with seahorses, octopus and a host of other tropical sealife. Feeding displays are always of interest and staff also give regular talks about the tanks and their inhabitants.
Open hours: daily - 10:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts for students, seniors, children and families, children three years old and under are free

Nightclubs

Newquay's legendary nightlife and exciting club scene has long been a major attraction for visitors and there is an enormous selection of nightclubs on offer here, many of which are just a short walk from the sandy beachfront. Boasting many celebrity DJs, nearby themed bars and the latest sounds, the nightclubs in Newquay are reputed to be amongst the best in the whole of south-western England and popular nightspots include Barracuda Berties, Sailors and also Tall Trees.
Open hours: daily - hours vary, with most clubs opening from 19:00 onwards and staying open until late
Admission: charge

Holywell Bay Fun Park

Address: Holywell Bay, Newquay, Cornwall, TR8 5PW, England, UK
Tel: +44 (0)1637 830 095
With all the main ingredients for a great family day out, Holywell Bay Fun Park is full of fun attractions suiting a variety of ages. The rides and numerous attractions here are all operated using a simple token system and include a challenging maze, a climbing wall, go-karting, bumper boats, laser shooting, and also an extensive indoor adventure play area. Close to the park and popular with Newquay tourists is the bay itself, where sand and sea await. An excellent 18-hole pitch and putt golf course is also sited nearby.
Open hours: April to early October, daily - 10:30 to 17:00
Admission: free, charge for rides and attractions on a 'pay as you play' basis

Waterworld

Address: Trenance Leisure Park, Newquay, Cornwall, TR7 2LZ, England, UK
Tel: +44 (0)1637 853 828
Suiting those looking for a little family fun and excitement, the many indoor attractions at Newquay's Waterworld complex include both swimming and tropical pools, with fast slides and flumes, water cannons and even an erupting 'volcano'. A viewing gallery is available, while a garden terrace, bandstand, fitness centre, gymnasium, dance studio and coffee shop complete the award-winning Waterworld attractions. Non-members are always welcomed here.
Open hours: Monday - 09:00 to 20:30, Tuesday - 10:00 to 19:00, Wednesday - 09:00 to 20:30, Thursday - 09:00 to 19:00, Friday - 10:00 to 19:15, Saturday and Sunday - 10:00 to 17:00; pool times vary during term times
Admission: charge, discounts for seniors and children