Cornwalls best holiday location (Newquay in General)

Member Name: wxcat

Product:	Newquay in General
Date:	19/09/09 (43 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Beaches

Disadvantages: Teenagers

This summer was the third time I've visited Newquay, but I've never stayed there before. I've always loved the town as it is Cornwall most civilised place, much better if you like a bit of civilisation rather than rural idyll. First time I visited I was holiday in Polzeath, and second time in Mevagissey. They have a really good direct bus service from Mevaggisey all the way to Newquay, very useful if you haven't got much transport.

Anyway back to Newquay in 2009, I booked a very late house right in the centre of Newquay, the house was called "Hobart House", and by booking last minute, got it very cheap. The house was lovely, sleeps eight in four bedrooms, and has two bathrooms, a huge kitchen and lounge. And interestingly it was featured on BBC the following week after we were there. The views from the lounge had been spoiled by recent buildings but there was still a great sea view from the lounge and bedrooms. The house was situated very centrally in Newquay right behind the main Post Office, and had a private garage and off road parking, which if you go to Newquay you'll realise how useful it is.
We happened to go there in the week before the kids broke up from school, and came to realise what a bad choice, as Newquay has become the centre of party for 16 year olds after exams just trying to get away from the parents and just trying to get drunk. Newquay as I remember it used to be full of young 20 something's partying, as Newquay has some good clubs and pubs. And after a few days dodging the kids, we decided to spend more time visiting other places outside of Newquay.

In the town centre there are the usual shops, some good convenience stores, a Sainsburys and Coop. There is a Boots the chemists, plenty of Surf and clothing shops, and lots of cheap shops. There are plenty of restaurants from Wetherspoons, Walkabout, to Pizza Express, KFC, and Burger King. And on top of that from one end of the High Street to the other are bars, even 10 shops or so! There is even a gentlemens club. There is a Blue Reef Aquarium on the beach.

Newquay is famous for its beaches; all seven of them, from the famous surfing beach Fistral Beach near the headland, round through the busier touristy beaches of Tolcarne and Great Western Beach. If you're looking for something a bit quieter or family orientated, it's worth travelling a bit further up the coast to either Watergate Bay or Magwan beach, both towards Padshow on the coast road. We stopped at Magwan Porth, which is a huge bay and beach, with two shops, a pub, and two restaurants. It also has the most wonderful Pitch and Putt golf course on a huge hill and a Crazy Golf course as well. They also do surfing lessons from Magwan twice a day in the summer, there are Lifeguards on the beach all through the summer. If you do go to Magwan, it's highly recommended you have a Beach Burger, for £6.95 its one of the best meals we had on holiday! There are two huge car parks at Magwan; both are £3 for all day parking.

Other places that are highly recommended in the area are the Eden Project, everyone should visit once in they're life. Also good is the Japanese Bonsai Garden just outside Newquay and the National Maritime Museum in Falmouth. We also visited Tintagel and Tintagel Castle, the mythical home of King Arthur, which really is worth a visit. It really shows how essential it is to have a car when travelling in Cornwall. The towns we visited are St Austell, Falmouth, Truro, and Wadebridge. You can check out some of my other reviews for other places I visited while in Cornwall.

Overall, I enjoyed the holiday, it rained 5 days out of 7, but it didn't spoil it. The house was great, and once we got out of Newquay most days doing day trips it was much better. Newquay as a town has changed for the worse, and I wouldn't stay there again, you go on holiday to relax not to be kept awake by screaming brats on their first holiday away from the parents.

Summary: Well worth a visit!