Famed for its two mile stretch of golden sand, the beautiful Watergate Bay can be found on Cornwall’s north coast just three miles from the buzzing town of Newquay.

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A local’s guide to holidays in Watergate Bay…

 

Things to do in Watergate Bay

Watergate Bay holidays, though enormously popular with surfers and kite-boarders, are also perfect for families. The beach which is a fabulous two-mile sandy stretch, is also backed by towering cliffs where you’ll find a series of fascinating caves to explore, and at low tide there are rockpools for younger members of the clan to enjoy.

Restaurants

Watergate Bay Hotel has three eateries which are Zacry’s on the sea wall, The Beach Hut, and The Living Space. For one of the best burgers around try WAX which is just opposite the carpark, and if you’re just looking for a quick bite there are several food stalls offering fast foods like pizza and hot dogs in the car park.

Walks

The South West Coast Path cuts various scenic routes from Watergate Bay to neighbouring beaches and towns. For an easy to moderate walk, enjoy the 3.5 mile path to Newquay passing Whipsiderry, Porth Island, Porth beach, Lusty Glaze and Tolcarne along the way. For a more challenging walk, there the route to Mawgan Porth in the opposite direction. This walk is around 8.5km and is peppered with historic ruins like a medieval fort, barrows from the Bronze Age, and remnants of a Saxon settlement.

Towns

Just 10-minutes’ drive from Newquay means your Watergate Bay holiday still offers you the chance to shop as well as enjoy family-friendly activities like the Blue Reef Aquarium and Newquay Zoo, so you’ll have lots to do even when the weather’s not playing ball. Porth and Mawgan Porth are within just a short drive too.

Watergate Bay Beach

Surfing

Whether you’re a pro, or donning a wetsuit for the first time, Wavehunters surf school is located right on the sand and provides a variety of equipment hire as well as lessons, so you get to experience some of those famous Atlantic swells for yourself.

Dogs

The beach is very dog-friendly allowing canine visitors access all year round, which means all the family including your four-legged members can have a fantastic holiday down on the sand.

Swimming

The water is safe for swimming on calm days though adhering to the rules of safe swimming in the area should always be adhered to.

Lifeguards

The beach is lifeguarded during the main school holidays which include Easter and October half term, and from May until September.

Parking

Watergate Bay carpark is owned by the council and has 400 spaces with 24 hour parking available as well as evening parking sessions from 6pm to midnight (handy if you’re dining out at one of the beachside restaurants)

 

Dog-friendly cottages Watergate Bay

FAQ’s about Watergate Bay

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