Newquay is a town on the North Atlantic Coast of Cornwall, Great Britain. It is bounded to the west by the River Gannel and its associated salt marsh, and in the east by the Porth Valley. It was recorded to have a permanent population of 19, 423.

Not only Newquay is a tourist destination but it is also a part of history. There are some pre- historical burial mounds and an embankment on Newquay as the Barrowfields. Excavations are revealed some cooking pots and coarse pottery burial urn which contains the remains of a Bronze Age Chieftain who was buried up to 3500 years ago.

During the Middle ages, Newquay served as a natural protection from bad weather and a small fishing village that grew up in the area.
In the Modern Period, it became a commercial place for entertainment, merchandise and a residence area.

Newquay has been a major tourist destination for more than a century now because of its beautiful coastline and ten long and accessible sandy beaches. One of which is the well known Fistral Beach that is said to be the best- known surfing beach in the British Isles.

Aside from a tourist destination and a place for entertainment, Newquay still is like any other places that has it’s very simple institutions like churches, bus stations, residencial areas, schools, and market places.

The Fal River Festival will run from May 28- June 6 in 2010. It is all about celebrating life on the river Fal in Cornwall.

This year’s festival was of a big success having over 30,000 visitors and almost 130 events taking place around the river.

This 10- day event was able to host a variety of events which ranged from music and drama, arts and heritage to rowing races, triathlons and walks.
The festival started in 2006, which aims to celebrate life on the river and also give a chance to the people of Cornwall to recognise and embrace the people, the culture, and the place that is a part of their daily lives.

The Fal River Festival is running for almost 3 years now and a great response from the locals and also to the tourists has been reported.

It is actually a relief that such a service exists in Newquay. With all the extreme sports available in the area, it is only right to have some people who are dedicated to risk their lives for others. But what can you do for your safety? Well, you can simply listen to what Newquay Lifeboat has to say.

When you visit them, you can get some free safety checks. You may also want to check out their interactive CD ROM which introduces you to various safety measures such as the use of buoys and markers, weather, navigation lights and tides. This is exceptionally useful if you are planning to launch an accommodation area in Newquay.

So to ensure your safety, be sure you know how to call Newquay Lifeboat. It is the only boat in Newquay that is dedicated to save your life.

Visit their website here.

Newquay is also called as the “Blackpool of the West Country”. It is also alive at night with all the clubs and hangouts available. This branded it as an entertainment town making it substantially different from Cornwall and Lancashire.

Though the site is a bit large, it only has 22,000 residents. But when summer strikes, the number multiplies by five. But the area can still house everyone. After all, with great beaches comes great accommodation. From simple self-catering cottages to five star hotels, one will not run out of places to stay at Newquay.

But of course, the fun of Newquay does not stop from mere surfing, swimming or accommodations. Let me enumerate the other things you can do at Newquay.

Visit the Zoo

If you are visiting Newquay as a family, then be sure to not skip Newquay zoo in your itinerary. It is not only family friendly. It also offers an experience that is unique from your daily life. Just imagine the smiles on your children’s faces once they get their first encounter with the animals. Surely it is a worthy investment for you to have come. This is also a nice idea for a date.

Visit an Aquarium

Well, if you are not into wild animals, then you will enjoy yourself if you just find the time to visit the aquarium. But the Blue Reef Aquarium as has been previously reviewed here at Newquayweb is nothing to be belittled. It will still give you a magical experience you will never forget.

Visit the Museum

One of the most noted museums here in Newquay is the Travels through Time. The only difference of this site is that it takes anyone back through time to the history of yesterday. It is a nice place to visit and experience for it shows a different sense of what museums are all about.

Go Paintballing

Paintballing will always be a fun activity especially for the adventure lover. It is not just about the thrill of shooting people. It is also the thrill of hiding and strategizing. Paintballing is also an ideal activity for stag parties. Since this is very popular in Newquay, the activity is equally popular.

Relax at the Gardens

If you got tired of the busy life and just want to relax in your vacation, then you will do yourself some good if you just travel to the Trenance Leisure Gardens. Not only is the site of the venue relaxing. It is also a place where anyone can just let loose and just do what he wants to do.

Rock Your Nightlife

But of course, the Newquay fun will not stop in the morning alone. At night, there are a lot of clubs that are stag an d hen party friendly. Get into these locations and start rocking your night.

These are just some reasons. There are so much more reasons on why you should visit Newquay. But this will at least give you a head start.

Playing paintball has always been an exciting activity. Kernow Leisure is the witness of this as it hosts a paintball area in Newquay. Persons of all ages flock to this little arena where they can feel the adventure and action of paintballing.

How can I get there?

Go to Cornwall on A38 or A30. Go to Bodmin then continue to A30 to a junction that is labeled Summercourt village. When you reach the crossroads, turn right to A3058 so you can reach Newquay. Then travel 2 miles then turn left when you see a signpost with St. Newlyn East and Lappa Valley Railway. Then turn left when you see “Degembris Major Farm Accommodation”.

How is the Place?

The place is complete with facilities to ensure that your stay will be as relaxing as it can be. Some appliances in the house are a dishwasher, a dryer machine, a microwave, a television, a DVD and a radio. The area is also very clean and there are materials or utensils for cooking along with linens and towels for your use.

How much will this cost me?

It will cost £30 per person per night for short breaks and around £200-£600 for longer stays depending on the time of the year you are going to make a booking. Be sure to book early so you will not be disappointed.

Contact

Tel +44(0)1872 510555

Where is this?

The Headland Hotel is conveniently located along Headland Road near Fistral Beach at Newquay, Cornwall

How do I get there?
You can easily arrive at Newquay by train. Just be sure to keep track of the train time and fares. Finding a train should not be a problem since the train is a common form of transportation in the area.

You can also try getting to the area by boat. If you have come from France, then you will have some luck from riding the Brittany Ferries. Hailing a cab will not hurt either. You can call Trenance Cars (01637) 262626 for a quick ride.

How is the place?

The Headland Hotel is a 4-star hotel so you can expect a comfortable room with round the clock room service. The designs are mostly modern and the color palettes in each room are warm and soothing. The food at its dining hall and bar is also something to remember. Be sure to eat your fill with Headland Hotel’s presumptuous food.

What can I do there?

Actually, the activities you can do in this place cannot be counted. The key here is its strategic location. Once you come out, you will be greeted with a string of beaches namely Holywell Bay, Fistral Beach, Crantock Beach, Lusty Glaze, Newquay’s town beaches and Watergate Bay. With all these, you can swim, sail and surf all you want.

There are also some gardens nearby if you are looking for more relaxation than adventure. The sights will always be pleasing to your senses. There is also a massage therapist if you need one.

How much?

2009 Tariff

For more details, please visit http://www.headlandhotel.co.uk/rooms/tariffs.php

Overall Rating

The rates of this hotel are super expensive. But it is worth every penny. The thing it has is that it is located in the heart of everything. You can simply step out and go to the other key places in Newquay. Even with its rates, this hotel is our top choice for anyone who want to experience Newquay to its fullest.

Summer 2009

If you are partial to the odd festival or two, then Cornwall is definitely the destination for you. From traditional fairs to all out rock fests, there is something to amuse everyone here, all set in some of the UK´s most memorable and stunning landscapes. No matter where you live, getting here is a cinch with regular flights landing at Newquay Airport and no more then an hour´s drive to most destinations with in the county. Cheap flights to Newquay are available from the majority of main airports including Bristol Airport, Cardiff Airport, Edinburgh Airport, Gatwick Airport, Manchester Airport and Leeds Airport to name but a few.

While transportation in Cornwall is fairly good, it is advisable to organise car hire at Newquay Airport as there is so much to see that is off the beaten track. The two Newquay Airport car hire companies situated just outside the terminal are Europcar and Hertz. Alternative means of getting to accommodation include Newquay Airport transfers, where a driver meets you in Newquay Airport arrivals, the Newquay Airport taxis or buses, which run roughly ever half an hour and take about 25 minutes to get to Newquay town centre.

Unsurprisingly, many of the biggest events in the region revolve around the sun, sea and sand. This starts in May with the now legendary Run to the Sun which provides revellers with a manic way to enjoy the Cornish waters. The festival for VW enthusiasts and general party lovers is based at the Trevelgue Holiday Park. People come not only for the chance to exhibit their prize vehicles in the show´n´shine but to enjoy a host of live music, wild retro discos, famous DJs and comedic performances, in between sunbathing on the beach, Newquay weather permitting.

For something more down tempo, there is the Daphne du Maurier Festival in Fowey, 26 miles from Newquay. Despite the title, the 10 days in mid-May cover a wide range of plays, performances and talks, as well as guided walks, flower sales and art exhibitions. This year comedians Jo Brand and Arabella Weir and politician Tony Benn are attending. Come June and the more traditional-type events really get under way. At the beginning of the month are the Looe Festival by the Sea and the Royal Cornwall Show. The first is a 2 day extravaganza of all things fish. Based in Looe, 36 miles from Newquay, activities include a tour of local fishing boats and trawlers, as well as demonstrations of locally caught, fresh fish being cooked and lifeboat rescue displays. This is complimented by a host of food and wine-tasting opportunities and musical performances.

Located in Wadebridge, 16 miles from Newquay, The Royal Cornwall Show is a huge event which attracted 129,000 last year. At its heart is an agricultural show, where farmers and breeders come to show off their stock. Around it though are a wealth of other attractions from arts and craft and local produce stalls to a steam fair, dance and music concerts and vintage vehicle displays. This year there is even a human canonball spectacle (first seen in the 2007 show) by Dave 'The Bullet' Smith.

Smaller scale events include the Polperro Festival and the Mevagissey Feast Week, although for a celebration that´s a little more out there, there is always The 3 Wishes Faery Festival. This 3 day event encourages people to dress up as sprites and nymphs and revel in the plethora of fairy-inspired performers, musicians and artists that come out to play. There´s even an enchanting (or enchanted) fashion show.

August has got to be one the most exciting months when it comes to fiestas in Cornwall. Relentless Boardmasters, this year in association with Vans, is a 5 day showcase of some of the coolest lifestyle sports from surfing through to skateboarding and BMX riding, pulling in 12,500 people. Some of the world´s top surfers compete to win $100,000 in the 5 star WQS International at Fistral Beach, while over $30,000 dollars is available to skate and BMX contestants. The event is complimented by daily music performances in the form of The Beach Sessions held in the Fistral Beach Bar and evening concerts staged at Watergate Bay where The Streets will be headlining this year. Plus examples of more radical versions of the sports are always on offer to keep the bloody pumping thick and fast

In the third week of August, the Fowey Regatta hits town. This family sailing event in Fowey, 30 miles from Newquay, also includes gig racing, firework displays, a carnival and a show from the Red Arrows. Then for a complete change of pace, the Bude Jazz Festival lands. For 8 days, the area around Newquay comes alive with the sounds of over 200 different jazz events and is considered to be one of the best in the country.

Michelle Elkins is a regular contributor to the UK Airport Guide, which provides information on everything from the best rates for Newquay Airport car hire to Newquay weather.

What other Cornish events do you like? Tell us about them in the comments section below...

Im sure you have all heard about and participated in the legendary Run To The Sun event which has been going since 1987! One of the largest VW, custom car and music events of its kind attracting upto 40,000 people.
The cruise starts at Heston services on the M4 and with at least 1000 cars joining along the way a line of traffic over 8 km long will be making its way to Newquay!

For those of you that like to spend the weekend partying at Trevelgue Holiday Park, the home of Run To The Sun theres a great line-up prepared consisting of a Pendulum DJ set and MC Jakes in the main arena which holds upto 6000 people and Rudi's Message, a five piece Ska band in arena 2. New for 2009 Arena 3 will be holding a silent disco which sounds very strange but is apparently the latest rage! Try to imagine 2 DJ's, wireless headphones (free) and a number of different style music channels. Possibly a very interesting and funny experience!

On Sunday Tregunnel Car Park will as usual be hosting the Show 'n' shine event at 8am and carrying on throughout the day. Here you can see an awesome display of some of the finest cars in Europe plus plently of traders will set up stands selling their merchandise so you can do a spot of shoping on your way round!

A fun-filled weekend for everyone!

What did you do for Run To The Sun '09? Add your comments below!