Newquay, England

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Newquay, England

Newquay is a popular seaside resort in Cornwall, England, visited by Odyssey Traveller as part of our tour of Devon and Cornwall.

Beginning in the city of Bristol, our Devon and Cornwall small group tour explores the history of this fascinating region of England, with still-present Celtic traditions and a long and cosmpolitan history as a major exporter of tin to the Mediterranean. Delving into the legends of King Arthur, we visit Tintagel Castle on the north Cornish coast, believed to be the birthplace of the mythical king.

Devon and Cornwall are home to some of England’s most magnificent scenery, varying from the granite headland of Land’s End to the subtropical Tresco Abbey Gardens on the Isles of Scilly. We drive down country lanes, and visit seasidetowns such as St Austell and Penzance.

Since 1983, Odyssey Traveller has been serving global travellers. Every small group tour is designed for mature and senior travellers who want an authentic experience of place, learning about history, art and culture as they see the world. We offer small group tours of between six to twelve people, led by a travel director and guides chosen for their local knowledge.

Our tour price includes accommodation, the cost of attractions, and several meals. For more information, click here, or follow this link to make a booking.

About Newquay:

Newquay is most famous for its surfing, and is renowned across Britain for it, hosting competitions and even a live music festival and attracting scores of young competitors. It boasts eleven beaches within easy reach, on which those not surfing can enjoy strolls and picnics. The most popular include Bedruthan Steps Beach, Towan Beach, Tolcarne Beach and Crantock, so even in the busier months, there’s plenty of room for everyone on Newquay‘s golden sands, and it’s popular for other water sports as well. Tolcarne beach is also a good place to catch the bus to another Cornwall gem; the botanical gardens of The Eden Project, and for dog lovers, Whipsnerry beach is dog friendly and also sheltered.
Tolcarne Beach, Newquay, Cornwall
Tolcarne Beach, Newquay, Cornwall
The area has plenty of mythology and lore, but even the surfers have a legend; that of Cribbar, a wave so big it only comes once every two years. It’s also famous in pop culture; The Beatles Magical Mystery Tour was partially filmed in a Newquay hotel.
There’s also lots of history in Newquay. It was first settled in the Iron Age, evidenced by a hill fort which has ditches and six ramparts making it an impressive fortress, and experts claim there was continuously settlement from the 3rd century BC to the 5th or 6th century AD.
The Newquay headland is curved, offering natural protection for seafarers, which helped establish precedence for the building of the man made harbour, followed, in the 15th century, by a quay, which gave the town its current name. There has been some thought that this is when the town became known for its fishing as before this it was known as Towan Blistra, which, in native Cornish, means ‘blown sand dune’.
As a popular seaside town Newquay offers many attractions, including a zoo, a boating lake, and an aquarium, as well as many pubs, lots of which serve Cornwall’s own St Austell Brewery beer, but it’s also a favourite destination for walkers, as the South West Coast Path, which offers beautiful scenery along 630 miles of the South coast, is easily accessed, running parallel to Newquay‘s main Cliff Road, on which visitors can also find the train station. There are lots of other coastal walking routes nearby for all ages and abilities. Even a stroll down Newquay‘s bustling Narrowcliff offers views out to sea and beach access.
South West Coast Path, Cornwall
South West Coast Path, Cornwall
During the 19th century, it was extremely popular with Victorian holiday makers who could reach the town easily from London by railway as early as 1876, attracted by both beach and climate. It also became known in this time for its wool industry; seven factories local to Newquay supplied the top stores in London.

Articles published by Odyssey Traveller to assist you on your visit to Britain

The following list of articles published by Odyssey Traveller for mature aged and senior travellers to maximise their knowledge and enjoyment of Britain when visiting:

Click here to see our other articles of the British Isles.

External Articles to assist you on your visit to Britain

Related Tours

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