Newquay Beaches Walk

 

Newquay Map

A wet morning was spent in Padstow, another number 56 Bus trip. The 'Weather Witches' had promised that it would brighten up in the afternoon. Sure enough by the time we got back to Porth the sun was threatening to come out. A quick change and we were on our way walking on the headland towards Newquay. Some nice views too looking back towards the beach at Porth. If you include Porth and Watergate there are eleven beaches to be discovered. Over seven miles of golden sands.In the town itself there are four main beaches. (Tolcarne, Towan,Great Western & The Harbour).

The first beach that we come to is 'Lusty Glaze'. This has actually been in private ownership since 1999.It is fully open to the public though with no charge.It is just a matter of climbing down the 368 steps. Alternatively it can be accessed from the adjoining beach 'Tolcarne' at low tide. By comparison the next beach 'Tolcarne' has just the 200 steps to negotiate. There are some great views of Newquay and the harbour from the beach. We find a slope, avoiding any possible steps to get down to Great Western Beach. There are lost of coves and caves that conjure up images of smuggling in days gone by. It is a very sheltered spot with plenty of rock pools to explore.

Newquay Harbour from Tolcarne

We continue along the sands through to Towan Beach. Towan is the closest beach to the town centre of Newquay. It is famous for the 'house on the island. It is connected to the cliffs by a Suspension Bridge.  I've always thought it was be an amazing place to live. It is probably the most popular beach too given the location and sheltered spot. An excellent beach for learning to surf I would imagine. 

The harbour beach is the smallest in Newquay, becoming completely covered by the sea at high tide.It is the largest fishing port on the North Cornwall coast for the landing of shellfish. The RNLI also have a station located in the harbour. There are posters advertising fishing trips. I did one a few years agog from Padstow and really enjoyed it. All bait and tackle is provided and you get to keep what you catch! I was hoping to walk all around the harbour and get to the top of the headland. Unfortunately this wasn't possible so had to go the long way round.

Fistral Beach

Passing the Newquay Golf course I get my first glimpse of the largest and most famous beach 'Fistral'. A 750 metres stretch of rich golden sands. A mecca for surf lovers from across the world . Home to the annual Boardmasters surf competition and festival and sees some of the biggest names in professional surfing.At this stage it would be lovely to reflect on my days of riding the waves here. Sadly I struggled to stand up on a skateboard, never mind a surfboard. The surfing is a legacy of the 1960's when Australian and South African lifeguards arrived to patrol the beaches. Many brought their surfboards with them. 

Continuing around the Towan headland towards the harbour I pass Little Fistral Beach. A very small beach in comparison to It's neighbour and only accessible at low tide. The iconic 5 star Atlantic Hotel stands proud overlooking Fistral Beach. Completed by 1898 The Headland received its first guests in June 1900, It has a rich history of some great highs and a massive decline from 1950 - 1970. In 1979, John and Carolyn Armstrong bought the hotel. They are still the current owners. Four decades and £30 million of improvements and repairs have brought the hotel back from the brink!

Old Coastguard Lookout

The furthest point of the walk, and as far as I can get is the old coastguard lookout point. Built during the Napoleonic Wars, and one of many around Cornwall's coast. Originally built as a lookout post in case of invasion, later used by the coastguard to spot smugglers. Cornwall had a long history of smuggling with it's long coastline and numerous small inlets and coves. 

Time to go and find Mrs A who I had left back at the harbour. It was her choice to sit and read her book before anyone complains. We will walk back to Porth through the town centre. There may or maybe not a stop off at the local Wetherspoons Public house. This may be followed by a bag of chips as we saunter home. 7.75 walked in total  (16,058 steps).