You have made it to Newquay, Cornwall, and you want to explore of course! Cornwall has some beautiful landscapes to explore and lots of safe and open spaces.
Here are some of our favourite places:
Local hot spots
Trenance Gardens
Just opposite The Gannel, Trenace Gardens has a boating lake where you can feed the ducks and spot swans. Also, enjoy the flowers, rose garden and woodland, and there’s a play park here too. These pretty gardens are easily accessible for wheelchair users and prams and pushchairs.
Toilet facilities, cafes, ice cream stands are all usually in operation. Parking available.
Our 7 beaches
Fistral, Towan, Great Western, Tolcarne, Lusty Glaze, Porth and Whipsiderry – they are our super seven beaches, right here in Newquay. Fistral beach is one of the most-well known beaches in country, renowned for its great surfing conditions, and atmosphere. This long strip of beach, backed by sand dunes, is a must visit while staying at Hendra.
Towan is in the middle of Newquay, with the Blue Reef Aquarium overlooking the beach, and Newquay Harbour next door. This beach is easily accessible and a great option if you want to combine a trip to Newquay with a beach day.
Great Western, Newquay’s original surfing beach, is popular with families, with toilets nearby and easily accessible via a slope for those with pushchairs or wheelchairs. Further along is Tolcarne, also popular with families, with fantastic facilities.
Lusty Glaze is a privately owned beach; a horseshoe shaped cove which hugs golden sand and offers excellent bathing. It is perfect for families and couples. There are lots of steps, so it is hard to access, but the facilities are excellent.
Porth Beach, just outside of Newquay, is further from hustle and bustle of the beaches in town and is popular with families and kayakers. This expansive beach has lots to explore along with toilets, parking and a the fantastic Hole in Wall selling barista coffees, fine teas, artisan ice creams, snacks and treats.
Wild Whipsiderry is a secluded beach with high cliffs. Perfect for those that want to escape the hustle and bustle, with no facilities and harder to access, peace comes at a price, but it is worth it!
A little further afield
Beautiful Beaches…
Crantock
Less than 3 miles from Hendra, this can be reached by car (there is a National Trust car park nearby), or you can walk to it (check tide times), from the Gannel. Backed by sand dunes, Crantock is the perfect place for getting soft golden sand between your toes, with plenty of space to explore.
Porth Joke
This is a true gem of beach. Also known as Polly Joke, this picturesque cove is nestled in a shallow valley between Holywell and Crantock. In spring, or early summer, you will see wildflowers upon common, and sheep graze near the dunes.
The surrounding area is un-spoilt and being in a shallow valley means that is guarded from the wind and it can feel slightly warmer. Porth Joke is excellent for rockpooling and has caves to explore. The beach is also suitable for swimming, bodyboarding, surfing and fishing. Check tide times and please be aware there is no lifeguard cover. The nearest car park is a 15-minute walk away in West Pentire, and owned by the National Trust.
Woodland walks
Tehidy
Tehidy, near Camborne, is an expansive woodland with over 9 miles of paths and 250 acres of peaceful woods and lakes to explore, together with a café and a picnic area. There are five main access points including North Cliff car park, and South Drive car park.
Cardinham
Cardinham, near Bodmin is nestled in a beautiful valley with a bubbling stream. A mixed woodland offers walking and mountain bike trails, and family-friendly play and picnic areas. There are amazing viewpoints history fans can spot remnants of the old mine and traditional clapper bridge.
