Guide To Culture And Art In Newquay Cornwalls Surprising Gem

Newquay is one of Europe’s most popular seaside resorts and attracts families, couples and groups. Behind its abundance of charm, beautiful beaches and seafood restaurants, Newquay also has a rich and fascinating history. We explore the city’s arts scene, cultural offering and attractions.

Art Galleries in Newquay

There is more to Newquay than its beautiful beaches and seaside charm; the city is also home to a number of fine art galleries, where a diverse selection of paintings, portraits and prints can be found, all at reasonable prices. Because Newquay has such fine scenery, painters and artists are literally spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing their next project.

The majority of art galleries in and around Newquay specialise in drawings and paintings of coastal scenery, with a strong focus on art inspired by nearby areas. All the exhibition spaces here welcome visitors who can to enjoy the arts at their own leisure.

Newquay’s Beaches and Surfing Culture

Newquay is renowned for its surfing culture, and is even referred to by many as the capital of British surfing. Take a walk around the town centre and you will instantly notice the town’s dedication to this sport. With a number of small surfing boutiques and surf lodges, thousands of surfers flock here every summer in the hope of catching some of the finest waves that the resort has to offer.

But it’s not just surfers who enjoy Newquay’s beaches. Every year, countless families visit Newquay to visit its family-friendly beaches. These are two of the most beautiful:

Lusty Glaze Beach

Located on Cornwall’s dramatic north coast, Lusty Glaze beach is a little cracker. There is always a lot going on here with something to suit everyone, be it live music, sporting events, or surfing lessons. There is also a beach restaurant that treats its visitors to spectacular views of the Newquay coastline, and makes for a perfect way to spend warm summer evenings.

Porth Beach

Porth is a large beach with bags of charm, and what makes it even better is that it has a river flowing right through it. Porth Beach is perfect for families with young children due to its shallow waters, and even at high tide the sea stays shallow for a considerable distance, making it ideal for swimming. This beach is also known for its gully that connects it to neighbouring beach Whipsiderry; the gully is accessible at low tide and is definitely worth visiting.

What to visit

Bluereef Aquarium

Home to an impressive collection of marine displays, Bluereef Aquarium recreates a number of underwater habitats such as the Mediterranean, Caribbean waters and Cornwall’s famous coastline. At the aquarium, visitors can expect to see sharks, stingrays, turtles, and thousands of rare fish.

Newquay Zoo

Set in charming lakeside gardens, Newquay Zoo is home to around 130 different animal species. Here you will find everything from penguins and reptiles, lions, snakes and birds. This is the perfect place to enjoy a family day out, with great things to see and do for both children and adults.

Huers Hut

Perched proudly above the sea at Towan Head, Huers Hut dates right the way back to the 14th century when it was used by the Huer, an important figure in Cornwall’s fishing history, to watch out for shoals of fish arriving in the bay. To alert the town of their arrival he would yell ‘Heva, Heva’. The views from here are incredible and offer an amazing panoramic view of the Cornish coastline.

Trerice Manor

Trerice Manor, now managed by the National Trust, is a wonderful Elizabethan manor house located just outside of the Newquay town centre. If you enjoy gorgeous interior and stunning gardens, Trerice manor is definitely worth a visit. The antique furniture, stylish décor and a sense of nostalgia that pervades the house are wonderful ways to experience Newquay’s heritage.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

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