Our guide to Newquay
Location
The Blue Door is perfectly located to explore Newquay on foot. It’s minutes away from Towan beach and Great Western- both great family beaches where you can enjoy an ice cream and surf. Despite being so central, parking is not a problem with two private parking spaces right outside the property.
The town center is even closer and here you will find cafes, restaurants and bars. There are lots of hidden gems in Newquay tucked in and around this area, please ask for any recommendations.
Newquay is a great base to explore the wider area of Cornwall. The Eden Project is a 30 minute drive, The Lost Gardens of Heligan are 45 minutes away and you can reach the Minack Theater in about 50 minutes. Padstow and St Ives are just 30 minutes away.
Many guests who stay with us are down to go to a wedding, we’re just 5 minutes in the car from Lusty Glaze, The Headland Hotel, Oceanside Hotel and 10 minutes from Watergate Bay.
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Things to do
Health & Well Being in Newquay
Fistral beach is a 15 minute walk from the property and here you will find one of Newquay’s most iconic places. You will see people surfing, walking their dogs and people watching. No trip to Newquay is complete without a stroll to Fistral beach.
The Gannel is one of Newquay’s hidden secrets and fantastic for dog walking all year round. It’s only a ten minute walk from Blue Door.
K2 Gym
If you're in need of a good workout even on your holidays, head to K2 Gym. Newquay's biggest & most central gym, perfect for any workout.
Yoga Garden
Whether you're into a morning power hour or that evening zen flow, Yoga Garden has a huge variety of flows to suit every yogi and stretch alike!
Our guide to Newquay
Food & Drink
Newquay and the wider area have some great options for food and drinks. If you’re looking for somewhere for a special occasion, try The Pig in Harlyn Bay or Zachrys at Watergate Bay. For more casual dining but in a very special location, try Lewinnick Lodge, The Harbour Fish and Grill or The Fish House.
Things to do
Food & Drink in Newquay
Escape to the edge of the Atlantic, cliff-side restaurant near the bustling hub of Newquay. Immerse yourself in a fine-dining experience whilst taking in the breathtaking sea view.
Our guide to Cornwall
What's near by
Along the North coast, you can either drive or get the Atlantic Coaster over to Mawgan Porth for some celebrity spotting or continue to Padstow, famous for its food and cuisine.
In the opposite direction along the north coast you’ll find St Ives which is a well known spot for great food and beaches. It’s about 40 minutes in the car from Newquay.
In central Cornwall you will discover The Eden Project- an absolute must for anyone who is spending more than a weekend here and only 25 minutes from Blue Door. Continue to the south coast and you’ll find The Lost Gardens of Heligan (45 min drive), The National Maritime Museum (45 min drive) and The Minnack Theatre (1 hours drive).
If you are visiting with children then drop us an email with their ages and we can make recommendations on what to do, we have young children ourselves so know the options inside out!
Things to do
Explore Cornwall
An absolute must for anyone who is spending more than a weekend here and only 25 minutes from Blue Door.
A quaint Cornish fishing town, is renowned for its delectable seafood and vibrant atmosphere. Only around 25 minute drive
A charming Cornish seaside town, marries artistic heritage with breathtaking coastal beauty. Only around 40 minute drive from Newquay.
Things to do with kids
Newquay with Kids
I have 3 young kids myself so spend my weekends and school holidays finding things to do with the kids come rain or shine. The good news is that there is absolutely tons of things to do with young children in Newquay and the surrounding areas.
Sunny Days
Newquay’s 7 beaches– The beaches are absolutely dreamy for kids in Newquay. The ones I find most manageable are Porth (you can park right down near the beach) and Towan (right in town so everything is reachable easily). Crantock is absolutely stunning but the car park can fill up quickly and be aware of the rips here. Holywell Bay is also great, be sure to take bodyboards to ‘surf’ the sand dunes.
There are several activity companies offering surfing, bodyboarding, coasteering and SUP-ing. Kids should be able to swim before doing any of these, although all the companies will supply buoyancy aids. My son started surfing lessons around 5, to give you an idea but I won’t let him coasteer until he’s about 7 or 8.
You can spend days and days on the beach and in the sea with the kids having a great time, but I’ve listed some more ideas below if you want something a bit different to do on a sunny day:
Mr FT’s Rockpool Ramble
Absolutely amazing, completely unique and if one is running whilst you are down here it’s a ‘must do’! It’s worth noting that this will go ahead whether it is sunny or not!
Slip and Slide
https://www.giantslipandslide.co.uk
So much fun! Good for the younger ones as well as the older ones- my 4 year old was off on his own doing this by himself and of course my 6 year old I barely saw!
Heron Tennis Centre
https://www.heron-tennis.co.uk
Fantastic tennis center close to the town center which has grass courts, clay courts, mini courts (to play with young kids on) and indoor courts. There is a cafe and a great park called Trenance Park right next door. This is in a great area right near the zoo, Waterworld, the trampoline park and an outdoor skatepark (Cornish Waves, free).
The Lost Gardens of Heligan
You can spend an 8 hour day here on a sunny day, they’ve recently redone the adventure play park which has lots of wooden adventure play, swings and a massive inflatable ‘pillow’ to bounce on. This is one of my favourite days out with the kids in Cornwall.
Go Karting
https://www.stevalkartcircuit.com
Great for aged 7plus but also there is a small circuit for younger kids too. 10-15 minute drive out of Newquay.
Macdonald’s Farm
https://www.macdonaldsfarm.co.uk
About 10-15 minutes drive outside of Newquay, this is a lovely and peaceful spot just the other side of St Mawgan Porth. great for the under 5’s. If you want a real adventure, take the Atlantic Coaster bus road which stops right outside https://www.firstbus.co.uk/adventures-bus/services/atlantic-coaster
Rainy Days
Luckily, Newquay has evolved over time to make sure you have lots to do because we know only too well you cannot rely on the Great British summer!
Newquay Zoo
A classic, full day out with everything the kids love!
Trampoline Park
https://www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/cornwall/newquay-leisure-world/newquay-trampoline-play-park
It might be a bit chaotic but it’s a massive facility that the kids absolutely love that is perfect for a rainy day. There’s the trampoline area for the bigger kids (from about 4 or 5 to 16) and a large, very good soft play for babies until about 4.
Trevarrian Holiday Park- bowling and swimming
https://www.trevarrianholidaypark.co.uk
You have to book in advance. This is about a 10 minute drive out of Newquay but has a great ‘holiday vibe’, especially if it’s raining!
Pirates Quest
https://www.piratesquest.co.uk
This is a Cornish themed crazy gold activity just off the main high street in Newquay. It’s quite pricey but it combines a Cornish myths museum with a very entertaining crazy golf so it’s unique and good for the over 5’s. There is a hole which is a ‘scary section’ where actors may jump out at you and startle you- lots of fun!
Freddo’s Ice Cream
This is in the town center and does the best ice creams and sundaes in Newquay!
Mount Hawke Skate Park
https://www.mounthawkeskatepark.com
You will need to take your skateboards/scooters/bikes to this. If you’ve got them it’s so much fun, my kids love going!
The Eden Project
Absolutely infamous and every trip to Cornwall should include a trip here! This is about a 35 minute drive outside of Newquay.