Anyone familiar with Newquay, Cornwall?

PasturesNew

St Austell's not really got a lot going for it, especially out of season. It occurred to me that it might just be worth your while staying in Newquay for the duration and taking a daytrip to Eden.

I know buses sometimes go directly to Eden from the gates of Hendra Holiday Park ... although that'd need double checking when they stop the service. Then you'd just need to get a taxi up to there (say 2 miles max but you don't want to faff about walking/getting the bus).

As a rule, the buses are hard to know about down there as they change twice a year (seasonal) and there's been one that went out of business and they do faff about changing their routes over time ...

Here's the info on the Eden bus http://www.hendra-holidays.com/hendra-holiday-campsite-faq/

There might be other buses, but that one's a fixed route, not relying on changing buses or faffing about.

There is also a bus service to the Eden Project each morning throughout our season. Tickets to the Eden Project can be purchased prior to arrival.

So it depends when their "season" is.... re getting into Eden, there are no queues, you'll walk straight up to the tills. Might be 1-2 people in front of you if a bus has just arrived, but there are never hoardes ... in September.

YORKSHIRELASS

We visited Newquay in August a couple of years ago and hated it (sorry to those who love the place). It seemed to be popular with stag and hen parties and there were crowds of of youngsters staggering around drunk in the middle of Saturday afternoon. The atmosphere was quite unpleasant.

Cornwall is lovely but very very popular in peak season and you really need to get away from the main tourist areas if you want peace and quiet. No idea what it will be like in September though, I guess it should be a bit quieter by then.

jackomdj

PasturesNew wrote: »

St Austell's not really got a lot going for it

I haven't lived In Cornwall since 2000. But I would agree with this.

gazapc

To be honest I woul probablyavois Newquay and definitely St Austell. The former has nice scenery and other villages around (but what bit of cornwall doesn't) but St Austell is quite deprived and not much going for it.

If you did want to would look to spend time on the north coast then I guess Newquay wouldn't be the worst option but it definitely wouldn't be near the top of my list. I would look to explore Padstow, Port Isaac (see fisherman's friends), bedruthen steps, Chapel Porth.


If you don't want to hire a car then I would really recommend Falmouth. Very vibrant town which is much more friendly than Newquay and good bus, train and ferry links with plenty to do. Lots of scenery and walks on your doorstep.

The West of Cornwall is also potentially the most scenic but public transport is limited. One of the best walks is from Sennen to Porthcurno. The lizard is also great.

Tuesday_Tenor

melanzana wrote: »

Hi and thanks.n (Tuesday Tenor) I think you are the poster who helped me with Oxford, .

Hi again Melanzana

Typed a long response at the weekend, but lost it ... In the meantime others with greater knowledge of the area have replied.

I like the suggestion of Falmouth. I once did a training placement in Truro for a couple of months, and Falmouth was a favourite place to visit. It's further from Newquay airport and the Eden Project, but still quite do-able on public transport with a bit of planning. For comparison, car/taxi from airport would be about 30 mins while public transport (which seems to have to include taxi for the first stretch) would be nearly 2 hours. I'd be on the public transport as I don't drive. I also happen to enjoy it!

Does the flight arrive at a reasonable time?

So in Falmouth you'd have longer journeys some days (getting there, back, and to Eden project) but conversely you could stay in one place with plenty to do on your doorstep AND with better transport links (incl. train) to a few other places.

One reason I suggested the travelinesw website is that it gives you the whole journey, including the walking, waiting and taxi bits, as well as the basic bus/train times, which can be helpful.

P.S. I wondered why your name didn't ring any bells in my Spanish-focused (when not in English mode) brain. Google tells me it's because you're an ITALIAN aubergine ...!!!!! Ah, I see ...!

QueenBeruthiel

We stay at Watergate Bay, which is on the coast midway between the airport and Newquay.

Newquay itself is a dump overrun with drunken stags and hens. When I went into town last year I walked out of a shop and bumped into a hen carrying a gigantic plastic penis. Yeah, it's that sort of place.

Look for accommodation in the coastal villages which are served by bus, such as Porth and Mawgan Porth. Watergate Bay is beautiful, but there isn't even a shop there.

Padstow and Bedruthan Steps are lovely places to visit.

If you want to get to the south coast, then you will need a car.

milliemonster

I've been visiting cornwall for years since I was a young child so know the county very well and would agree with posters who hate Newquay, I cant satnd the place and if you want to visit 'true' cornwall don't go to Newquay, it's a dump and really not reflective at all of this beautiful place, it's the one place I always avoid, really if you want to explore properly you need a car, the North Coast is the most dramatic, but down by the lizard, looe, fowey are beautiful too if you want more Cornish towns. There are loads of beautiful walks and I second the 'I walk North cornwall' website for examples, beautiful beaches etc

mgdavid

melanzana wrote: »

...... So a visit to Rick Stein's place in Padstow is a must..........

There are about 6 or 7 Stein premises in Padstow. The posh restaurant down by the harbour disappointed us - found it cold, soul-less and lacking any character. The food was very good but not necessarily good value. Far better is his Bistro a couple of streets back from the harbour. Been for lunch several times, lively, always packed (get there early as they don't do bookings). Seafood ample and good value.

missbiggles1

melanzana wrote: »

Hi and thanks. We like walking A LOT!, not into shopping at all, just like to meander and find things really. There seems to be a great Coastal Path from NQ to Padstow, that sounds amazing (weather permitting). Great scenery and sea air, together with good grub is our heaven. So a visit to Rick Stein's place in Padstow is a must.

There is a bus from NQ to St. Austell, and to Padstow aswell. I've no problems hiring a car, but sometimes going on public transport is an experience too! When it is reliable that is.... Decisions, decisions!

Why not rent bikes - there are some good cycle trails in the area.

https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/environment-and-planning/countryside/cycle-routes-and-trails/

You'll need to save up for Rick Stein's restaurant - it isn't cheap! https://www.rickstein.com/eat-with-us/the-seafood-restaurant/

Murphybear

Do you visiting gardens? Cornwall has some lovely ones such as Trebah, Heligan etc. There are also nice NT properties. You would be better off with a car though.

I agree about Newquay, it's awful unless you want to surf