Give me the quays, I'm moving in! (Newquay in General)

Member Name: magenta23

Product:	Newquay in General
Date:	10/05/09 (152 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Something for everyone

Disadvantages: Walking up hills!

I've visited Newquay four times now, twice as a kid and twice now I'm all grown up! I've enjoyed being there as much every time. So much so I'm considering making it home.

A lot of the time, if you are holidaying there, the weather will shape whether the time you spend there is a thumbs up or not. Mid summer is a great time to go if you like a busy vibrant atmosphere, the beaches are packed and so are the bars! If you want a quieter break, off season is better. You may compromise on the weather a little, but there's something magical about a beautiful sandy beach and you're the only one there.

This is why I love Newquay, and it's surrounding area. It's such a mix. On the one hand it's a young lively place that attract stag dos and students looking for a great time in the bars and on the beach. On the other there's little unspoilt beaches, quaint little tea shops searving Cornish teas, miles of beautiful countryside and some amazing wildlife. For the kids there's so many attractions- farms, the zoo, aquarium, theme parks close by and all the places to eat are very family friendly.

BEACHES-
As I've mentioned the beaches are the main attraction for people visiting Newquay unlike many other British beaches, they are gorgeous soft sand, not pebbles! The most famous of these beaches is Fistral beach. This beach is all about surfing. Newquay has a big surfing community and people come from all over the world to ride the waves on Fistral Beach.

Moving round the coast, walking down from the town most people are likely to stumble on Towan and Great Western Beaches. These are the two that get all the families as they are a about a minute from the town and very safe. When the tides just gone out at the end of the day, it's a great place to have a walk along the rocks and look in the pools for crabs and other creatures the sea has brought in.

Further up the coast is Tolcarne beach, very pretty but it's quite a climb back up some steep steps back to the road but worth going doen there. Ditinctive for it's rows of multicoloured beach huts, looks to me like something out of a children's book.

Keeping going up the coast you have smaller, less crowed beaches such as the briliantly named Lusty Glaze and Whipsiderry. Keep going about a mile and you get to Watergate Bay, another fantastic beach popular with surfers and Jamie Oliver, who's opened a branch of Fifteen here.

EATING OUT-
Most of the time we were in Newquay this week we ate our way around! There are so many restaurants, pubs, cafes and Fish and Chip shops to satisfy any appetite.
Pub wise, I would throughly recommend The Fort. Located on Fore Street, this pub overlooks the sea with stunning views to take in while you choose from there extensive menu and the food really is top notch.
There are also the usual kebab shops, a KFC, Burger King and the dreadful Subway. Amazingly no McDonalds, yet. There really is no need to use these places when there are so many places in Newquay serving fresh, tasty local food, and none of it that expensive either.

DAYS OUT-
If you want to get away from the beach there's a lot to do in Newquay and surrounding towns.
Here's some suggestions -

Dairyland Farm World -4 minutes out of town. Great for animal lovers and kids alike. A small but charming farm park with many farm animals and countryside nature trails.

Blue Reef Aquarium- Located right on the beach in the heart of town. Again a small aquaruim, more of a half day trip. Worth a look though.

Newquay Zoo- One of my favourite zoos in the country. A great atmosphere and a good collection of animals in a small zoo with lots to get involved in. Around a ten minute walk from town.

Further afield...

Eden Project- Take the bus that runs from Newquay direct to the Eden Project and save on your ticket. It's an amazing day out and a must do if you've never been. Plants from all over the world growing in Cornwall. Amazing.

Truro- One of the bigger neighbouring towns. About a 35 minute drive from Newquay. More of a shopping trip and it has a good selection of shops in a very pretty town. Make sure to look in the indoor markets and there's often a Farmer's market in the main square.

Padstow- Otherwise known as 'Steinville.' Famous for being Rick Stein's home town, he has taken over somewhat. Restuarants, shops and delis all with his name on. Admittedly his Fish and Chips are good though! Worth a trip as it's a beautiful little town and you can see why he's so fond of it.

SHOPPING-
As expected the target customer of many of many of Newquay's shops is the tourist, and more specifically the surfer. There's are many many surf shops, some very expensive, some not so bad. They sell all the surf gear, wetsuits, boards etc..but they're worth a look aven if you're not a surfer as they have some great clothes ranges by brands such as Roxy and Gul that you just don't find on the regular high street.

There are also many gift shops, and so many selling jewellery. It baffles me how so many jewellery stores in such close proximity survive, but I'm pleased to say they do.

As far as High Street shops go there's not that many. Boots, New Look, Dorothy Perkins and Superdrug are all here. I'm pleased to say however, a lot of the shops are independant and appear to be doing well. Thankfully a seaside town how it should be, with fishmongers, ice cream shops, shops selling bucket and spades and postcards and people coming here to support them. Too many towns now, by the sea or otherwise are just the usual high street suspects just in a different order.

Food shopping is limited at the moment. There is a fishmonger, a greengrocer and endless bakers, however the absence of a butcher. There's a few little convenience stores dotted about and a Co-op at the very top of town that was deserted the few times we went in. The last time we went the was a large Somerfield which seemed to serve most of the town but now there's a Sainbury's being bulit in it's place and also rumour of a Tesco taking over Newquay's old Woolworth's site.

REGENERATION- As well as the Sainbury's and possible Tesco that I've already mentioned, There's a lot being bulit in Newquay at the moment. There are luxury flats going up opposite Tolcarne Beach, and the buliding of a Travelodge a little further up. Next to this there are also signs for an Aldi due to open in the Winter. At the other end of town there's plans for a cinema for Newquay. Something, I do think it could do with, as the other main towns are quite a way away.

It seems then, while shops are shutting up all over the country, Newquay can't stop building! With Cornwall being notoriously bad for unemployment, hopefully, these new companies coming in will do a lot for the local economy. I just just hope it's not at the expense of the charm of this lovely town.

GETTING AROUND-
Around the town itself is easy enough to walk, but be warned it's hilly! If you are going out of town for anthing I would reccomend going everywhere by bus. The train goes to Par, and that's it. If you are wanting to get about by train expect lots of changing and waiting around. For confident good drvers, driving is an option but I wouldn't fancy it. The roads are windy, hilly and often very narrow.
The buses run all day form 6am to midnight on some routes. They are regular, on time and go pretty much everywhere. I was really impressed with the buses and we used them a lot the whole time we were there. Also with some of the routes, there are such beautiful views around you, why drive? I recommend going to Padstow via the coatal route. It's takes about an hour and a half but it breathtaking views all the way.

Overall I love Newquay and think it's got something for everyone.

Summary: I love it.