Things to do in the sun and the rain around newquay

[goingbacktowork]

We are off to near Newquay in a week or so. We have never been to Cornwall before. We have 2 children age 5 and 2 and 1/2. Please can someone tell us what we really should do (i.e. must sees) if the weather is nice and what we might do if it rains. We have a car.

Also please can anyone suggest anywhere good to eat (does n't have to be one of the very posh places) - some recommendations would be great.

Thanks very much

email the tourist info for area, Ive jut done this for Dartmouth and they sent me and emailed me tons of stuff and leaflets they sent had discount vouchers

For good weather you cannot beat the beaches around Newquay - do try a few different ones - crantock beach is fab (can park car at beach its about £4 for the day), wide sandy beach with an inlet of water that stays all day for splashing in without waves, a rickety bridge across to a little shop and cafe, surfing etc. Watergate bay, mawgan porth, etc there are loads of fab beaches so if its sunny you are sorted. Newquay zoo is surprisingly good there is also a little park next to newquay zoo with climbing frames, mini trains and there is a boating lake (nice tearoom trenance tea rooms overlooking boating lake). swimming pool with slides etc opposite the zoo. lappa valley railway if you want thomas style trains with rides etc at the other end. eden project not too far away. great restaurant right in the harbour in newquay if you love seafood lobster etc. beachhut in watergate bay good or Jamie Olliver's 15 if you want to treat yourself. have a great time

hi gbtw,

There is Dairyland Farm close to Sands which is quite good for children but I think you might be surprised how much there is to do on Porth beach and at Sands itself.

Get your two wets suits (an absolute must I think) and then whatever the weather they'll probably be happy building sandcastles, playing in the rock pools etc. And even et yourselves wetsuits then you can join them in the sea and not be cold yoursleves (I got mine from a surf shop in Swanage for I think £26 but DS's is from WH Smith on the motorway service station for £15 and it kept him nice and warm. The knack (apparently) is to make sure it's tight fitting, not an item to buy to last!

Dairyland. Fab indoor play area with normal soft play and big slides plus cows plus other animals. You can get a week long pass too, great for rainy days.

Lappa valley railway. Lots of trains and good play areas. For a sunny day. Take picnic.

Newquay zoo. It's ok but not amazing. No big animals really.

Oasis water park. Located at hendra holiday park. Has big indoor and outdoor pools. Big flumes too. Good for rainy day.

Breakfast at Jamie Oliver 15. Yumyum!

Other than this there are all the beaches, also newquay had a fairground when we were there. Oh and holywell bay has some sort of theme park thing but we didn't venture there. Maybe for older kids.

We went to Springfields - Just off the roundabout at Colum St Major (I think, pick up a leaflet) my DD (4.5) rode three ponies, fed the baby sheep a bottle, held a guinea pig, went on trampolines, rowed a boat round the lake, had a train (tiny) ride and a horse and carriage ride, went down a massive slide on a mat (Like helter skelters) and it took us a full day. It doesn't look like there is much but we went on a cloudy day and it was quiet so we could take our pick of what to do.

Otherwise, perranporth beach (busy but great and can walk to shops if get fed up), Dairyland, Lappa Valley Railway is lovely. Not keen on Newquay zoo but like big ones (its good for a rainy or cloudy day)

My favourite is Paradise Park, can feed birds and they land on your head, they have free flying bird display, you can feed goats / sheep / pigs etc, little railway, this year you could feed the penguins and have your photo taken with one.

We tried to go to Crantock beach too as the sand dunes are supposed to be fab aren'y they? We got to the village about 10.30 and stopped there and joined a traffic jam down to the car park! We turned round (on the advice of a local who told us we were so far back in the queue there wouldn't be any space for us by the time we got down there).
So, if you want to go to Crantock, my advice would be to go fairly early.

Also, just thought to say that on the road into Porth, just before you turn right at the roundabout to go up to Sands, there is a BP garage with a place called "The Pantry' on the forecourt. They did great sandwiches, pasties and cakes as did the little bakers down in Porth itself if heading towards Newquay (on the left handside, just past the traffic lights). I think the lunch options at Sands are possibly the only thing I personally would be critical of.

thanks so much for all this info - mckenzie I feel like I am there with you!

Is there a supermarket anywhere near this place?

I'm home now (sob, sob).

As you drive into Porth, before you get to the BP garage, there is a Co-Op on the right hand side (on a side road, not on the main road). There is also a Spar in Porth itself down by the bakers. Going from Sands, turn left, down the up to roundabout where you turn right. Up to set of traffic lights. Go straight on and bakers is immediately on your left or turn left at lights and Spar is on your left. Within walking distance of each other.

What day do you go?

you are so funny. I am pleased you had a good time. You missed some really torrential rain here.

We are off on Saturday - - I am so far from being ready it is hysterical.

What location are you - we went to Willows farm yesterday so you can't be too far.

we're in Enfield. And you? What time do you plan on leaving to start your journey?

We left at 5.15am which was perhaps a tad early as it was a weekday . We met a family from Southgate who had left at 7am on the same day and their journey took pretty much the same length of time. We stopped twice and we're in the hotel reception at 11am so were able to enjoy pretty much a whole day.

Another family though from North London travelled on saturday, left home at 10am and it took them 9 hours!! Sorry for that bad news but forewarned is forearmed huh?

have you seen my last comment on the other thread (the flipflops one)?

there's a couple of crazy golf courses that are quite fun :)

you MUST go to Tunnels Through Time in Nequay (big pink building behind high street) - it's hilarious and worth every penny! It's a great way to spend a couple of hours while you wait for the rain to pass.

DefiniteLy visit Padstow if the weather is nice. It's lovely and has nice coves to explore as well as nice little shops and fab ice cream.

you know mckenzie I may even know you - we lived in Enfield before moving here. Do you know any other "Mothers" there?

Thanks so much re timing I think we are going to leave about 6am (oh joy)

it is now called buccanner bay

www.newquay.co.uk/newquay-attractions/buccaneer-bay.htm

where do you live now? Have you decided to stay B&B? I know you can always eat at Sands anyway and pay per meal but not sure if that works out really expensive and i guess it depends on the bedtimes of your two. If your DCs go to sleep early enough you could use the baby listening and you and your DH can eat alone at Sands in the evening. The food was really lovely and their soups (all home made, DS bought home two of the recipes!) are gorgeous. Also, we highly recommend the chocolate fondant - if you like that sort of thing!

cuffley. just past crews hill garden centres. staying dband b now. I am just looking forward to not having to cook for a week (I use the term "cooking" loosely )- bliss.

We're off to Sands next week! Thanks for all your info on my other thread Mckenzie.... raining next Thurs and Fri then weather should perk up. I'll print this thread off for inspiration! Maybe see you around gbtw!

did you have a nice time?