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Beach
Fistral Beach
Beach in Fistral Bay, half a mile west of Newquay between Towan Head and Pentire Point East.
A mini guide to
Newquay & the North Coast
Surf beaches, headlands and family attractions on the Atlantic coast
Photos
1 / 8Welcome to the area
Surf beaches, headlands and family attractions on the Atlantic coast
Newquay is a seaside resort on Cornwall’s north coast, named after a new quay built in the mid-fifteenth century. Visit Cornwall lists seven main beaches in the area (Tolcarne, Harbour, Towan, Great Western, Fistral, Lusty Glaze and Porth) and describes Fistral as a venue for Britain’s big surfing events. Newquay Zoo and Huer’s Hut, a lookout once used to spot pilchard shoals, are close to the town centre.
North of the town, Watergate Bay and Mawgan Porth lead to the cliffs at Bedruthan Steps, while to the south-west lie Crantock and Kelsey Head. Inland are the Lappa Valley steam railway and, on the coast to the south-west, Perranporth and St Piran’s Oratory.
Highlights
Start here
If you only have a few hours, these are good places to begin.
Historic building
Huer's Hut
Listed building on Towan Head, used from the 16th century as a lookout for shoals of pilchards.
Headland
Towan Head
Headland between Fistral Bay and Newquay town, where Huer’s Hut stands.
Beach
Lusty Glaze
Beach on the north-east side of Newquay, privately owned but open to the public for much of the year.
Zoo
Newquay Zoo
Zoo on a 13-acre site in Trenance Park, the largest in Cornwall.
Headland
Trevelgue Head
Headland, also called Porth Island, with an Iron Age promontory fort and two Bronze Age round barrows.
Find your way
On the map
The map shows Newquay & the North Coast and the streets around it. The Getting there page lists nearby stops and stations.
Insider tips
Before you go
1
Arrive by branch line
The Atlantic Coast Line runs from Par to Newquay, and Wikipedia says the station is close to the town centre and the beaches.
2
Pick a beach for the day
Visit Cornwall says Towan Beach is in the centre of the town, Fistral is the main surf beach, and Crantock and Watergate Bay are outlying beaches.
3
Look out from Huer’s Hut
The listed lookout on Towan Head dates from perhaps the 14th century and was later used to watch for the seasonal arrival of pilchards.
4
Walk the cliffs at Bedruthan Steps
The National Trust part-owns the coast between Padstow and Newquay at Carnewas and Bedruthan Steps. Wikipedia says the Trust runs a shop and café there.
Tips from the Britlens editors
Explore this guide
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Open the mini guide →Photo credits
- Newquay & the North Coast (area photo): Otto Domes, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Fistral Beach: Simon Cobb, CC0, source
- Huer's Hut: ElzbietaBorgosz, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Towan Head: Ian S, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Lusty Glaze: Alex McGregor, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Newquay Zoo: Simon Cobb, CC0, source
- Trevelgue Head: Nilfanion, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Watergate Bay: Kernow Skies, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Mawgan Porth: John Allan, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Bedruthan Steps: Tony Atkin, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Lappa Valley Steam Railway: Robin Webster, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Crantock: Partonez, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Kelsey Head: Rob Farrow, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Perranporth: Lewis Clarke, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- St Piran's Oratory: Anthony Harrison, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Padstow & the Camel Estuary: Derek Harper, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Fowey, Polperro & the south-east coast: Marika Reinholds, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- St Ives & West Penwith: ArildV, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Penzance, Mousehole & Land’s End: Lewis Clarke, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Falmouth & the Helford: Tim Green, CC BY 2.0, source
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under the licences shown. All photo credits
Keep exploring Cornwall