The premier coastal resort of north Cornwall, Newquay is noted for its wonderful beaches, spectacular scenery and superb choice of facilities. While there are a number of fine surfing beaches and resorts along this stretch of Cornwall’s coast, Newquay remains the prime spot for this increasingly popular sport. Tourism began in Newquay with the arrival of the railway back in 1875, the town has grown in popularity ever since, its size and population increasing with it. Originally an Iron Age settlement, Newquay relied for many centuries on pilchard fishing for its economic survival, later of course tin mining became important, as for much of Cornwall, along with the export of china clay from the pits of St Austell. Modern day Newquay attracts both surfers and holidaymakers, who all enjoy the golden sandy beaches, the splendid Newquay weather and the excellent facilities of the town. Nearby places to visit include Perranporth, with its 3 mile long beach and attractive coastline (Perranporth also attracts its fair share of surfers), Padstow, with its ancient harbour, 12 miles to the north of Newquay, and St Agnes, and St Agnes, a charming little village to the south of Perranporth and Newquay (look out for Stippy-Stappy, a steep row of slate-roofed cottages at Town Hill). Newquay can be reached via the A3058 from St Austell.
February 20, 2010
August 24, 2009
Cornish North Coast – Padstow, St Agnes and Polzeath
The north coast of Cornwall is dotted with many pretty coastal towns and villages and is also an area noted for its surfing, one of the best know being at Polzeath, just north of Padstow, where high rollers crash in from the Atlantic Ocean. In 2007, some 300 surfers arrived in Polzeath in an attempt to set a world record for the highest number of surfers to ride one wave. High rollers and dangerous sand bars also make this area tricky for ships and many have been wrecked on the approach to Padstow harbour, the notorious Doom Bar being the most dangerous. Five miles up the River Camel, things are a little quieter and the town of Wadebridge has been a successful market town since the early 14th century, the town did however see action during the English Civil War, when even Oliver Cromwell though it important enough to take control of the bridge. Some way south of Padstow and Wadebridge the village of St Agnes attracts hikers, artists and holidaymakers, who visit to enjoy the beautiful coastline and countryside and the fine beaches of which there are at least 5 in the immediate area. Part of the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site, St Agnes was an important tin mining area in days past.