Coastal Paths & The Quieter Life

You may immediately think of surfing when you think of Newquay and it is true that it is Cornwall’s liveliest resort with plenty of nightlife and nine superb beaches but there is another way to experience the Atlantic coast.

We based ourselves in Porth, but Watergate Bay is also great, and walked either north towards Porthcothan or south towards Perranporth, both about 11 miles along the coastal paths which combine stunning natural scenery, cliff tops and sandy beaches. You can work up a great appetite for those trendy celebrity-endorsed eateries or just take a picnic and chill out listening to the roar of the Atlantic surf.

For nature lovers, this coastline offers the chance to see lizards and slow worms, butterflies, moths and dragonflies. If you look out to sea then you may well see grey seals and basking sharks while the bird life is just amazing with kittiwakes, razorbills and fulmars adding excitement to the usual screeching gulls. Don’t forget a decent pair of walking boots and sunscreen as you will be scrambling over cliffs, down into coves, and along paths through miles of gorse bushes and sand dunes. This Atlantic coastal path is just amazing and well worth exploring.

But it’s not just the healthy outdoor life! Newquay has something for everyone and comes alive with a brash, trendy vibe, it’s known as the British California! During the day you could try surfing, kayaking, go-karts, paintballing and loads of activities I had never heard of but promised the ultimate adrenaline rush!

At night the town comes alive with top-notch bands, DJs in clubs and bars. To be honest, I can’t go clubbing at night and walking by day, but you could try!

We stayed in 4-star self-catering apartments that offered us every comfort to rest our weary bodies after a day of walking, but the great beach cafés and pubs tempted us out every evening, so we never got to try the apartment’s kitchen and dining room! We even treated ourselves to a massive slap-up Cornish breakfast every day at the Porth Veor Manor hotel, so we had the strength to explore all day and come back to a nice cold bottle of wine in our fridge to enjoy on the balcony.