One of the greatest joys of staying at Trenance Holiday Park is the sheer variety of beaches within easy reach. Cornwall is blessed with dozens of stunning stretches of sand, and from our base in Newquay you can explore some of the very best. Here’s our guide to the top beaches near the park.
Fistral is arguably Cornwall’s most famous beach, renowned the world over for its powerful surf. It hosts major surf competitions throughout the year, and the atmosphere on a sunny summer day is electric. The beach has excellent facilities including cafés, surf hire shops, and lifeguard cover throughout the season.
Right in the heart of Newquay, Towan Beach is a classic bucket-and-spade destination. It’s sheltered, family-friendly, and backed by the town’s shops and cafés. The island connected by a footbridge is one of Newquay’s most iconic sights. Lifeguards patrol during the summer months.
A little more sheltered than Fistral, Great Western is popular with families and has a lovely traditional beach café. The rock pools at the far end are fantastic for crabbing and exploring. It tends to be a little quieter than Towan, making it a great choice for a more relaxed beach day.
A short drive north of Newquay, Watergate Bay is a sweeping two-mile stretch of golden sand backed by dramatic cliffs. It’s home to the famous Watergate Bay Hotel and the Extreme Academy surf school. On a clear day the views are simply breathtaking. Pack the car and make a day of it.
Cross the Gannel estuary (by foot ferry in summer) and you’ll find the quieter, more unspoiled Crantock Beach. It’s a National Trust beach backed by sand dunes, and feels a world away from the bustle of Newquay. Perfect for those seeking a more peaceful day by the sea.
With so many beautiful beaches on your doorstep, the hardest part is choosing where to go! Our team at reception are always happy to give you local tips on which beach suits what you’re looking for.
Planning a family holiday can feel overwhelming, but a stay at Trenance Holiday Park is designed to make everything as easy and enjoyable as possible. We’ve put together some of our best tips to help you get the very most out of your visit.
Always book directly through our website to get the best available rates. Our direct guests receive exclusive perks including our best price guarantee and flexible booking options. You can also save 10% when you stay seven nights or more — ideal for those longer summer breaks.
Check-in is from 3pm, so if you’re travelling a long distance we recommend leaving plenty of time. Newquay is well connected by road and rail, and our team will be ready to welcome you and give you a proper orientation of the park. Our departure time is 10am, so plan your final day activities accordingly.
There’s a supermarket just five minutes’ walk from the park entrance, which is perfect for picking up essentials when you arrive. For a real Cornish food experience, visit the local farm shops and fishmongers in the area — the fresh fish and seafood is outstanding.
Cornwall has so much to offer beyond Newquay. Consider planning one or two day trips during your stay. The Eden Project near St Austell is around 45 minutes away and is unmissable. Land’s End, St Ives, and the Lizard Peninsula are all within an hour or so and offer completely different sides of Cornwall.
Don’t forget to take full advantage of everything the park has to offer. Our heated outdoor pool is open throughout the summer season, and the games room is popular with children of all ages on those inevitable rainy afternoons. The park shop stocks everything from ice creams to essentials, so you’re never caught short.
The Trenance Valley walk is a lovely way to get into Newquay town centre without the car. The path follows the river through Trenance Gardens and takes around 20 minutes on foot. It’s a beautiful morning walk, especially in early summer when the gardens are in full bloom.
We hope these tips help you plan a truly memorable holiday. Our team is always on hand to offer advice and local recommendations — just pop into reception any time during your stay.
Newquay is one of Cornwall’s most vibrant destinations, and with Trenance Holiday Park just a short walk from the town centre, you’re perfectly placed to make the most of everything it has to offer. Here are our top five picks for the summer season.
Fistral Beach is the UK’s surfing capital, and for good reason. With consistent Atlantic swells, it’s perfect for beginners and seasoned surfers alike. Plenty of surf schools operate right on the beach, so even if you’ve never stood on a board before, you’ll be riding waves in no time. Trenance is less than a mile away, making it easy to pop back for a rest between sessions.
The Blue Reef Aquarium on Towan Beach is a brilliant family day out, especially if the weather turns. Walk through underwater tunnels surrounded by sharks, rays, and hundreds of colourful fish. Children love the interactive rockpool displays and regular feeding talks throughout the day.
Just minutes from the park, Trenance Gardens is a beautiful green space with boating lake, crazy golf, and a miniature railway. It’s ideal for a leisurely afternoon and the little ones will be in their element. Pack a picnic and make an afternoon of it.
Newquay Harbour runs regular seal-spotting and sightseeing boat trips during the summer months. Head down to the harbour in the morning to book your spot — they sell out fast on sunny days. The views back to the town from the water are stunning.
Waterworld at Trenance Leisure Park is a firm family favourite. With giant water slides, wave machines, and splash zones, it’s an afternoon of pure fun. Best of all, it’s practically on our doorstep — you could walk there in under five minutes from the park.
Whether you’re planning your first visit to Newquay or returning for the tenth time, there’s always something new to discover. We hope to see you at Trenance this summer!
Boardmasters 2026: Why Staying in Newquay Town Is the Smarter Choice
Every August, Newquay transforms. The Atlantic is pumping, the town buzzes with energy, and Fistral Beach becomes the beating heart of one of the UK’s most iconic festivals. Boardmasters — part surf competition, part music festival, part Cornish institution — draws tens of thousands of visitors to Cornwall’s surf capital, and if you’re planning to be among them, where you stay makes all the difference.
The Festival Itself
Boardmasters is unlike any other festival in the UK. Spread across Fistral Beach and the clifftop site at Watergate Bay, it combines world-class surfing with a headline music lineup that has featured the likes of Foals, Chase & Status, and Haim. Days are spent watching elite surfers carve through Atlantic swells; evenings are spent dancing under the stars with the ocean as your backdrop. It’s a genuinely unique experience — and it sells out year after year for good reason.
Why Town Beats the Campsite
Camping on site has its appeal, but staying in Newquay town is the smarter move for most festival-goers. You get a proper bed, a hot shower, and somewhere to actually recharge between sessions. You’re close to the town’s restaurants, bars, and cafés — ideal for fuelling up before heading to the beach or winding down after a big night. You can come and go as you please without the queues, the mud, and the 6am tent-neighbour situation.
Trenance: Perfectly Placed
Trenance Holiday Park sits in a genuinely enviable spot. You’re within easy walking distance of Fistral Beach and the town centre, so the festival is on your doorstep without the noise keeping you up at 3am. And for those travelling without a car — which during Boardmasters week is honestly the wisest call — Newquay train station is less than ten minutes’ walk from the park. Direct services run from London Paddington and across the South West, making Trenance one of the most accessible bases in town.
Whether it’s your first Boardmasters or your tenth, staying at Trenance means you get the festival experience without the festival fatigue. Book early — this week fills up fast.
