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Things To Do In Newquay, Cornwall


Planning a trip to Newquay, Cornwall and looking for things to do? Here are some of the best activities, attractions & adventures, including places to visit when it rains to get the most out of your trip.

Take Part In Photography Courses In Newquay

Make the most of the dramatic coastlines and seascapes with professional photographer Paul David Smith. Improve your photography through traditional and creative courses by the sea, from learning the basics about your camera to wildlife or macro photography.

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Get Epic Photos Taken Of You Surfing

Whether you are new to surfing and taking your first lessons or a season professional who takes to the waves daily, capturing professional photographs of yourself out in the ocean not only gives you some lasting memories, but it makes you look very cool too!

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Try Stand Up Paddle Boarding

Stand up paddle boarding is one of the fastest growing water sports in the country. Paul is a qualified SUP instructor and professional photographer, offering epic SUP tours in Newquay with professional images from your SUP experience.

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Get Photographed As A Mermaid

Was your dream as a little girl to be a mermaid? Are you now looking to make this a reality? If you are looking for some portraits with a difference that will provide a lasting memory and make a real impact, then make dreams a reality by becoming a mermaid for the day.

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Get Photographed As A Warrior Wearing Armour

Unleash your hidden warrior with this fantasy portrait session where we’ll dress you in our armour, chainmail and other warrior attire. If you are looking for some portraits with a difference, then spending a few hours dressed as a warrior is sure to give you some images like no others.

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Join Newquay’s Photography
Tour

Photograph Newquay’s Hidden Gems with Professional Photographer Paul David Smith & Discover Newquay’s Best Photography Locations On This Private 1-2-1 Photography Tour. Improve your photography skills & see new places.

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About Newquay, Cornwall, UK

Newquay is undoubtedly the UK’s surf capital and the coastal town has an abundance of things to do, places to see and culture to immerse yourself in. Newquay truly became a surf resort from the 1920s onwards but the surfing explosion in the town really began during the 60s. Surf culture was introduced with the arrival of a group of Australian lifeguards who made Newquay their home in 1962. The Aussie surfing quartet became local celebrities and established the town’s first surfboard in the early 1970s. The boom in surfing continued into the 1980s and beyond. Today’s surfers can choose from nine different beaches at Newquay to ride the world-famous waves. Many of the beaches have surf schools and surf equipment hire outlets. There are surfing competitions and festivals throughout the summer.

Recently voted the top seaside resort for Brits considering a holiday at home, Newquay has a rich history awash with Cornish tradition, folklore and culture. It is a wonderful holiday destination for families. The town welcomes visitors from far and wide every year. In the summer around 100,000 tourists swell the local population of 20,000 inhabitants.

Miles of golden sand, stunning routes along the coast and ocean activities mean that much of what Newquay has to offer centres around the sea. But there’s plenty to do inland too and Newquay is a small enough town to explore easily on foot.

Newquay FAQ's

Where Is Newquay, Cornwall?

Newquay Map

Newquay is located on the north coast of the county of Cornwall in the United Kingdom. The postcode for the area is TR7 and coordinates for Newquay, Cornwall are: 50.4155° N, 5.0737° W

Where Can You Fly To From Newquay Airport?

There are currently 17 locations which operate direct flights in and out of Newquay, Cornwall. These are: London Heathrow, Manchester, Leeds Bradford, Teeside, Faro, Alicante, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Newcastle, Aberdeen, Dublin, Dusseldorf, Jersey, Guernsey, Isles Of Scilly, Cork and Copenhagen.

How Do I Travel From London To Newquay?

In a straight line it is 228 miles between London and Newquay. By road it is 258 miles and it will take approximately 4 hours 45 minutes by car. You can fly between London Heathrow and Newquay airport and this takes an average of 1 hour 10 minutes. The average train journey time between Newquay and London is 5 hours 7 minutes.

How Far Is Newquay Airport From Newquay Town Centre?

In a straight line the distance between Newquay Airport and Newquay Town Centre is 4 miles. By road it is 5.7 miles and will take approximately 15 minutes by car. There is a bus service that runs between Newquay and Padstow that stops at the airport, this is the number 56. You can also take a taxi, this will cost around £15.00.

How Far Is Port Isaac From Newquay?

In a straight line it is 16 miles between Newquay and Port Isaac. The distance by road is 24 miles and it will take approximately 40 minutes to travel by car. You can travel via bus, however it will take 3 hours 30 minutes on average and involve multiple changes. A taxi between Newquay airport and Port Isaac will cost in the region of £50.00.

How Far Is St Ives From Newquay?

In a direct line it is 23 miles between Newquay and St Ives, however by road it is approximately 31 miles and will take around 45 minutes by car. A taxi will cost roughly £60.00 from Newquay airport to St Ives and it is possible to get by train, however it will take around 3 hours and involve multiple changes.

What Is The Weather Like In Newquay?

Thanks to the Gulf Stream current, Cornwall has the sunniest climate in Britain, as well as the mildest, making Newquay a wonderful base for a summer holiday.

  • "Whilst searching online for activities and attractions near Newquay we found a review for Paul's creative photoshoots which looked incredible. I really wanted to dress as a knight as soon as I saw the photographs, I don't quite know why, they just looked so epic! Paul met us at a location he'd suggested and his car was full tot he brim with armour, swords, shields, crowns, dresses and other accessories. I had such an amazing time and we captured some amazing photographs that I will cherish forever. The best day out in Cornwall I've had for a long time."
    Steff Hamson - Newquay, Cornwall, UK
  • "Whilst looking for things to do in Newquay to entertain a very bored teenager on a wet weekend, I found Paul's photography courses online and we both decided that would be a fun new skill to learn. Paul was fantastic with us both, teaching us at a pace that was easy to follow and remember going forward. He provided us with lots of practical tasks to do with our cameras which meant we got a lot of practice in and my son learns best this way so that was ideal. I'd highly recommend Paul to all, it was definitely one of the best activities we've done in a long time!"
    Harriet Fields - Newquay, Cornwall, UK
  • "My partner and I were staying in Newquay for a week during the summer and asked on a forum for some ideas for fun things to do whilst here and Paul's name kept popping up. We investigated his website and found so many fantastic photography courses available, luckily we'd both bought our cameras with us so thought we'd give one a try. What an amazing day it was, Paul took us to 3 different beaches for landscape photography opportunities and a wildlife park to photograph the animals and birds which we both loved. A great day out spent with a very nice human being in Paul."
    Malcolm & Janet - Cornwall, UK
  • "My daughter is mermaid crazy and when we found Paul's Mermaid Queen photoshoot whilst looking for fun activities to do whilst on holiday in Newquay we both instantly booked on. The mermaid tails are beautiful and Paul has put a lot of time and effort into finding matching accessories to go with them, there were so many to choose from. We had such a fun time down on Newquay's beautiful beaches dressed as mermaids and are both in love with the photographs we received only a few days after the photoshoot. Thank you so much Paul!"
    Helen & Molly - Cornwall, UK

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