Experience the wonder of Newquay in winter
Once the cool boxes and beach towels from summer have been stowed away, our minds turn to winter. Junky knit jumpers, hot chocolates, wellie clad walks and rolling waves. This winter, pack your coat, gloves and scarf and head to the Cornish coast to see the quieter side of seaside life. Think bracing walks along miles of untouched sand, cosy stays and festive cheer that fills the air, Newquay is a wonderful place to visit for a winter break in the UK.
Winter Activities
The water temperature might be cooler but there’s no need to hang up your wetsuit yet, just grab a winter one and enjoy crowd free waves surfing alongside many hardcore locals who are in search of swell. Give cold-water swimming a try and brave the icy sea with nothing but a swimsuit, wetsuit gloves and boots on. If jumping in the water is just too cold, pull on your walking boots to explore the miles of coast path. With rugged cliffs and spectacular scenery, there is something extra special about winter walking in Newquay, especially as the sun casts a warm glow over the sea. Stop for a well deserved Cornish pasty and enjoy the utter peace and tranquility with no one else around.
Winter Wellness
Warm up and let the stress of the world melt away in one of Newquay’s award-winning spas. If you’re looking for a dose of relaxation and vitamin sea, book a winter warming spa day.
The Aqua Club, Headland Hotel
Quite possibly one of the best views from any spa in the UK, this spa is simply breathtaking. After a £10million build, this spa is super wish. Set in the grounds of the iconic Headland Hotel with far-reaching sea views and easy access to Fistral Beach, this is a place once you’re here, you’ll never want to leave. An infinity pool, treatments that deliver results alongside an incredible restaurant and four star hotel, make this an impressive choice. Hunker down in the outdoor hot tub and gaze out as the waves roll across the Atlantic Ocean before retiring for a lazy lunch made with local ingredient.
Fistral Beach Spa, Fistral Beach Hotel and Spa
This is for grown ups only and provides a calming comfort from the moment you step in. The temperate swimming pool sits underneath and twinkly star lit ceiling and waterfall massage jets are set to the side to soothe away any tension. Here, you’ll find den like saunas and steam rooms to retreat and upstairs is all about rest and relaxation. A calming room with loungers to sink into, warm cups of herbal tea and music so calming, it’s almost impossible not to fall asleep. When it comes to treatments, it’s all about award winning and seriously incredible Gaia products. Made with natural ingredients and a passion for true wellness, it’s impossible to leave without feeling well from the inside out. There is nothing old fashioned about Fistral Beach Spa, it’s oozes modern luxury. Enjoy a swanky bar to spend evenings in with the girls or make the most of adults only with a dinner for two in the Dune restaurant soak in the panoramic views across famous Fistral Beach. You can do all of this without even taking your slippers off!
Winter Walks
As the weather changes to crisp and cold, the once soft sandy beaches of summer now have a frosty crunch under foot and the miles of golden sandy beaches which were so busy become a quiet haven for walkers and ramblers. Lace up your boots, fill your backpack with snacks and wrap up warm, winter beach walks in Newquay are simply stunning. Walk from South Fistral along the coast path, stopping to take in Little Fistral and the headland beyond before dropping down to the Harbour and continuing on along Towan and Great Western Beach. Stop at The Great Western Hotel to warm up and admire the views then take a much faster route back through the town centre zig zagging in and out of the shops before arriving back at Fistral Beach. Please note, you will need low tide to complete this walk.
Another favourite walk is from Crantock Beach along the soft sandy in-let of the River Gannel. A peaceful hush quiet looms here during the winter months and it’s a place to find utter peace away from the world. Popular with dog walkers and horse riders for the sheer expanse, it is a place to while-away a sunshine filled day and reconnect with nature.
To see more walks, please click here.
Winter Wonderland
From the beginning of December, Newquay is illuminated with glittering lights strung between buildings as giant Christmas trees line the streets and carols play from beautiful boutique shops. Sip mulled cider in one of the many cosy pubs and tuck into tasty food at award winning restaurants. Put the Christmas Market weekend in your diary and fill stockings with the very best of local Cornish produce. At the beginning of December local school children fill the streets with lanterns and Santa stops by for the light switch on. Newquay is always a lovely place to be but during Christmas, it is even more jolly with cafes offering gingerbread lattes to enjoy beside the sea and cosy pubs with crackling fires are a welcome stop after a bracing beach walk.
Past Christmas and into a new year, Newquay’s temperate climate makes it is one of the first places in the UK to see daffodils bloom shaking off the winter chill far quicker than many may expect. Forget hoping on a flight to escape the January Blues and instead pack up the car and head to the Cornish coast. There is something distinctively special about Newquay in the winter months and we can’t wait for you to experience it for yourself.
