Looking for an amazing weekend in Cornwall but unsure where to go? With so many choices for holidays and sightseeing, it can be hard to decide where to go for a weekend break in Cornwall if it’s your first time. But if you’re seeking a holiday on the beach with kids and a dog in tow, there are so many amazing things to do in Newquay alone that it’s the perfect destination for a family weekend in Cornwall.
In fact, my original weekend in Cornwall itinerary was packed with activities from Newquay all the way to Land’s End. It included the best Cornwall sightseeing and a whole slew of bucket list items to satisfy the heartiest of wanderlust families. For my active-minded expat family, relaxing on a beach typically doesn’t last for more than 5 minutes, let alone an entire weekend so I always prepare an itinerary with more things to do than our a day can actually fit.
But Newquay Cornwall is different.
To my surprise, within 30 minutes of arriving in Newquay, the decision was made to stay put and enjoy every ounce of what Newquay has to offer. From Fistral Beach to coastal walks, there are so many breathtaking things to do in Newquay, Cornwall that you simply don’t want to leave.
And so we didn’t.
If you’re looking for that special place in England that sweeps you off your feet, a weekend in Newquay is it.
In this post I share all the reasons why my family loves Newquay so much, why it’s our favorite expat destination in not just the UK but in Europe, and why we’ll go back. ❤️
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11 Best Things To Do In Newquay For Families
There are many choices of where to stay for a holiday in Newquay, but a cottage at The Headland is off the cuff. For a kid-friendly and dog-friendly weekend in Newquay with all the conveniences on-site or nearby, I can’t recommend The Headland enough. With the exception of a taxi ride to Lusty Glaze, all the mentioned things to do on Newquay are easily accessible on foot.
1 – Watch The Sunset Over Newquay Bay
Unwind your travel day with dinner at The Terrace at The Headland. Hang out on comfy couches and blankets while the sun sets gorgeously upon you. With the sun setting totally west and the golf course, sand dunes, VW buses, and sound of crashing waves all around you, you’ll have to pinch yourself to believe you’re not sitting in sunny southern California.
Newquay Bay Sunset, The Headland
2 – Walk To Towan Head
Grab a coffee and scone and head to Towan Head for breathtaking views to start your morning off right.
It’s a simple walk for everyone, including furry friends, and packed with 360 views that will make it hard to put your camera down. In fact, you’ll have a hard time believing you’re in southern England and not southern California.
Towan Head, Newquay
3 – Go Surfing
Once you’ve had your share of early morning paddle board or seal watching, grab a traditional Cornish pasty (or 🍨) from the Fistral Beach Complex before you hit the surf for a lesson from the Surf Sanctuary.
That’s right. Take a surf lesson! Hands down the coolest thing to do in Newquay!
The Surf Sanctuary located on the bottom floor of The Headland teaches all walks of surf life. The staff is amazing at ensuring everyone in the group gets up on the surfboard before the lesson is over.
What surfing in Newquay is like
Surfing was the highlight of our family weekend in Cornwall. All four of us, from my 6-year-old daughter to my 40-something-year-old-self got up and claimed it with style.
Ok, maybe not amazing style, but the fact that we stood up and had a BLAST made the weekend in Cornwall that much more memorable. Still in awe that even after living in Australia and California, that a lesson in England would finally teach me how to surf. 🏄
Ask for Dave if you are looking for a laid-back coach who’s awesome with kids. He even gets in the water and steers the board until you are successfully surfing on your own.
A group surf lesson for 2 adults and 2 kids is £240 (£60 each), including all surf equipment. Note: My daughter primarily used the boogie board, but Dave did take her out on a surfboard, too.
Can’t say enough about learning to surf in Newquay! The waves of Fistral Beach are very forgiving which makes it a great place to learn if it’s an activity you have always wanted to try. If someone asks me what to do in Newquay, surfing is #1 on the list.
Surf Sanctuary Grads, Newquay
4 -Eat Under Twinkle Lights At Lusty Glaze
After working up an appetite from surfing (which you will) book an early dinner at the Lusty Glaze Restaurant.
The open-air beach-themed restaurant with whimsical lights strung throughout will captivate you. You need to descend 133 steps to get to the 129 restaurant but it is beyond worth it. If you are looking for more than food and want an experience, then Lusty Glaze is the place.
View of Lusty Glaze before descending the stairs
What to do in Newquay at Lusty Glaze?
Kids can play in the sand, explore caves (low tide), and go seashell hunting while you and your partner take in the views and listen to live music. You can even see “The Island” from the beach at low tide. Check the events page and book Lusty Glaze in advance. Even with a 6 pm reservation, you can move to the covered patio area to enjoy the music and watch the sunset.
Exploring on Lusty Glaze Beach, Newquay
5 – Feel Caribbean Vibes At The Rum And Pizza Beach Bar
If seafood isn’t what you’re seeking or you can’t manage a reservation at the Lusty Glaze, the Rum and Pizza Beach Bar is immediately next door. With the beach as its sand floor, picnic tables, and Jamaican music humming, it’s hard to not want to hang out here…forever.
Rum and Pizza Bar, Newquay
6 – Look For Grey Seals Off East Pentire Head
After a hefty breakfast at the Samphire at The Headland, spend the morning hiking (more like walking but wear sneakers) the footpath along the cliff to East Pentire Head, overlooking Newquay Bay.
There are toilets along the path if your littles need a break along the way. Otherwise, keep walking and reward yourself with a quick hydration stop at Lewinnick Lodge. Sit on the far west corner of the outdoor patio area to watch for grey seals and dolphins. On a gorgeous sunny day, you’re guaranteed to spot something!
East Pentire Head
7 – Enjoy A Scone The Cornish Way At Fern Pit Cafe
From Pentire Head, continue along the footpath towards Crantock Beach which leads you to Fern Pit Cafe. This is a super cute cafe perched on a hill overlooking the path that leads to Gannel Estuary and Crantock Beach.
Order the crab salad! And a homemade scone with clotted cream and jam. Just enough calories to help descend (and ascend!) the stairs to the Fern Pit Bridge and Ferry to Crantock Beach.
Fern Pit Cafe
8 – Paddleboard Across The Gannel Estuary to Crantock Beach
Secluded from the major beachgoers, this hidden sanctuary in Newquay is like nothing I’ve ever experienced. During low tide you can walk across to Crantock Beach. Otherwise, take a little boat across River Gannel for £1.40 per adult and 70p for kids.
From renting paddleboards (£15 per hour or £25 for 2 hours) to crabbing (purchase crab pots at the little shop at the bottom of the stairs) to just being lazy on the beach, this place is perfect for kids and truly getting away from it all.
Stairs To Gannel Estuary to Crantock Beach
After a couple of hours exploring Crantock, return to Fistral Beach via the same footpath. Or if your kiddos are wiped after climbing up the Fern Pit Cafe stairs, call a taxi to return you to The Headland. That’s what we did for £8.
9 – Chill On Fistral Beach
Spend an afternoon away on Fistral Beach soaking up the sun, exploring the muscle covered rocks, or my kid’s favorite thing to do in Newquay aside from surfing: renting boogie boards (£8+ for the day).
Even though we rented boards in the afternoon, the coastal town is laid back and doesn’t require you to return the boogie boards until the next morning. This is a perfect option for catching a couple of waves on Fistral Beach in the afternoon and then again for a final surf run in the morning before making a return journey home.
For a weekend in Cornwall with a dog, this is their kind of holiday!
Fistral Beach is incredibly dog-friendly
10 – Shop For A Fun Newquay Holiday Souvenir On Fistral Beach
While the hubs takes the kids and dog to the beach, go shopping. Check out Ann’s Cottage and Bon Bon Fistral for a Cornwall vacation memento. I picked up this Cornwall print and absolutely love it!
This Cornwall print hangs in my office & a reminder of our amazing Newquay holiday!
11 – Indulge In A Seafood Sharing Board At The Fish House Fistral
For the ultimate dinner, go to The Fish House Fistral. This Michelin boutique restaurant has all the charm, atmosphere, and food to impress. It might be the shiplap and beachy tones of the interior that captivated me, but the food is what will have us going back.
I had the pleasure of meeting the wife and husband duo that own this gem of a restaurant. Incredibly sweet and talented….so glad we saved The Fish House Fistral as our grand finale place to eat in Newquay.
The Fish House Fistral is best meal I’ve had since we moved to England in 2017. Go for the monkfish or hake, and definitely the seafood sharing board. The piquillo pepper stuffed with salt cod is to die for!
Seafood Sharing Board @ The Fish House Fistral
Final Tips On Things To Do In Newquay
The only complaint from the family the entire weekend was that we had to leave!
Even if you have more than 2-3 days to explore Cornwall, you can stay put and continue to explore the other beaches, footpaths, and sunsets Newquay has to offer.
Newquay is a short distance exiting off the A30, so it’s perfect for kids that can’t manage windy dirt single carriageway roads that are required for Cornwall towns further south. This Cornwall destination is easy to get to from London compared to St Ives and other popular Cornwall beaches and villages further south.
If orange sunsets, long walks on the beach, hidden coves, and excellent food are your getaway requirements, then look no further than a weekend in Newquay.
Looking for more travel ideas on the coast of England? Try these.
- Things To Do In Norfolk With Kids
- 2 Day Jurassic Coast Trip: Best Things To Do In Dorset
- White Cliffs Of Dover: Where To Stay, What To Pack & Best Things To Do