The Greek island holiday is on hold. To be fair it was always going to be a big ask to put together an affordable week away taking in the August bank holiday weekend a couple of weeks out. In the end I just couldn’t bring myself to spend the best part of £500 on a flight to Greece, when the same amount would probably get me to Goa a couple of months later.
However I am going to Cornwall in a couple of weeks time, for a four day yoga retreat, staying at a farm just outside of Newquay. The retreat starts on the Friday afternoon, and ends after morning practice on the Monday. I’m counting down the days. As much as I love living in London (well most of the time) I haven’t left the place all summer, apart from the odd day for work, and I can’t wait to escape.
I still haven’t booked my travel there and back because I’m not sure whether to simply go straight to and from the retreat or whether to give myself a couple of hours in Newquay for lunch and a potter round the place on the Friday and perhaps the same again on the Monday. Another option is to extend my trip by a day or two either end.
The last time I went to Cornwall was the summer after GCSEs. My five best friends and I travelled from Yorkshire to Newquay (on a National Express coach, I think, I’m sure the train would have been prohibitively expensive). We stayed in a youth hostel. I’m not sure what we did all day but we spent as many nights as possible in the Sailor’s Arms (which I see from a quick Google search still exists!). In a nutshell my knowledge of Newquay and the surrounding area starts and ends with the Sailor’s Arms. I know, woeful, right?!
So, over to you. If I do simply tag on a few hours either side of the yoga retreat, what are your top suggestions for places to eat and shops to check out in Newquay? If I tag on a day, or more, at either end of my trip, where should I go? Do I stay in Newquay and hit the surf? If so are there any surf schools you would recommend or places to stay that are pleasing to the eye, but NOT eye-wateringly-expensive?
If I go further afield, where do I go? I won’t have a car, so I need to be able to get there on public transport. I’d like to go away again before the end of the year (the Greek islands are still calling to me!) so the same rules apply on accommodation as they would in Newquay. I’m thinking chic on the cheap. I can’t wait to hear your suggestions!
The images above are from Wildfox Couture. I’m hoping I don’t have to build a raft to get there and back in order the make the budget work.
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Here you go Miranda – I got this in my inbox last week and thought it looked nice:
http://www.secretescapes.com/tommy-jacks-bude-cornwall/sale
x
Jacks looks so cute – thank you Kitty! x
Hi Miranda, Cornwall is just such an amazing place, we went on so many holidays there growing up and I’ve loved introducing Mr H to all my old haunts. If you add on a few days to your trip (which, by the way, I think you definitely should) then St Ives is a must!
Newquay is pretty commercialised and built up in comparison to the cobbled streets and independent retailers that are in St Ives. It also has some of the nicest beaches I’ve ever been on and I could while away hours just wandering around and taking it all in.
I believe there is a bus and a train direct form Newquay to St Ives so it’s pretty easy to get to.
Helen xx
Hi Helen, just did a Google image search on St Ives, it looks lovely, thank you so much for sharing! Right, now to find somewhere pretty to stay within budget. Hoping Airbnb can help! x
I’ve never been to Cornwall so cannot offer much help with your dilemma! However, I’d love to know where your yoga retreat is? Cornwall is top of my to-do list and a short break at a retreat sounds right up my street 🙂
Thanks!
Hi Mrs Norman, the retreat I’m going on is being run by one of the teachers from my yoga teacher training, for teacher training grads. I’m not sure if she’s planning to run any other retreats but will ask and let you know if she is!
Hmm, I think Newquay is pretty stag/hen/teens on holidays nowadays. There are lots of other far lovelier parts of Cornwall to be explored, like St Ives as Helen said, and Fowey is pretty. That said, if you do want to be around the Newquay area then Lusty Glaze is really nice http://www.lustyglaze.co.uk (well, it was about 8 years ago when I went there)! And Watergate Bay has Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen restaurant and a lovely big beach.
Lusty Glaze looks like a lovely spot Emma, and what a fab name!
Also, Polzeath area is nice for beaches and surfing. The St Moritz hotel has a Cowshed spa if you fancy treating yourself.
Hmm, a massage after four days of yoga sounds like the perfect treat!
I went to Newquay on a National Express coach after my GCSE’s too! We spent a lot of time at Sailors. And some club with Tree’s in it….Tall Tree’s maybe? There was many a foam party there. We also got t-shirts made with ‘hilarious’ names. Pink for the girls, blue for the boys. Ah, Newquay…..
Just a thought – isn’t it GCSE results day today? There might be some bus loads of teens heading that way this weekend – best to avoid…?! xx
Haha, how funny, I don’t think we ever made it to Tall Trees, although I could be wrong. Luckily I’m not going for another couple of weeks, I think the schools will be back so it should be a little quieter. x
I went to Newquay over a bank hol weekend – for a hen do. Honestly I’m not sure I would go there for any other reason over a bank holiday, we (and a number of other hen/stag dos) seemed to be the only types of people there! It was great fun but perhaps not what you’re looking for after a relaxing yoga retreat. There was some STUNNING places nearby what we zoomed past in the car on the way back but I was too hungover to remember any names I’m afraid. Hope you have lots of fun whatever you decide to do. 🙂
Thank you Kate! Luckily I’m not going for another couple of weeks, I’ll be in London over the bank holiday.
Hi Miranda!!!
As a Newquay resident I’d like to agree and disagree with lots of the above…
In lots of ways you’ll find it hasn’t changed since you came down after GCSEs – Sailors is still very much in existence and yes, it is a popular stag and hen destination.
BUT there is an awesome boho surfing vibe down here too, it is as close to California/the laid back beaches of Australia that you’ll get in the UK….which means amongst the arcades, chippy’s and general tourist tat shops there are a few hidden gems 🙂
There are lots of seriously beautiful places to visit in Cornwall, but don’t worry if you’re restricted because of public transport – just because places like St Ives and Padstow attract a slightly wealthier clientele, doesn’t make them any less commercialised!!
So restaurant wise, I’d recommend The Harbour (http://www.harbourhotel.co.uk) food is great, staff are lovely, cocktails are nice, it’s in a great location AND it’s a hotel too!!
For healthy lunches and coffee there’s The Beached Lamb (https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Beached-Lamb-Cafe/122679721107370)
For incredible views and to basically immerse yourself in the ocean, try Lewennick Lodge (http://www.lewinnicklodge.co.uk) Although they serve food here, I wouldn’t recommend it during busy times as they can’t seem to cope with lots of custom and the standard slips…
There’s also The Stable (http://stablepizza.com/home/the-stable-fistral-beach/) with amazing views, but this gets rammed during the school holidays. They do pizza and pies and serve about a gazillion different types of cider. It’s great!
Lusty Glaze is cool, I’ve never eaten there but they do gigs on the beach at sunset which is pretty awesome!
If you want a spa you can walk to from Newquay, The Headland is the best (http://www.headlandhotel.co.uk/spa/) and stepping into the hotel is like going back in time! Plus the spa has only just opened so it’s all shiny and new.
For accommodation, I’d try Unique Home Stays, they are Newquay based…it was a weekend here http://www.uniquehomestays.com/unique/details.asp?id=629 that convinced us to move to Cornwall in the first place!!
For shopping, there are a few cool surfy boutiques in Newquay and on Fistral beach.
Anyway, I’ll stop waffling on…you’ll have an amazing time!
Surf lesson wise I’ll email you as we know a few people who may be able to help 🙂
Fern x
This is amazing, thank you Fern! I want to go everywhere you’ve recommended, and stay in a Unique Home Stay. I came across Whiskers, which I think is the sister cafe of The Beached Lamb, on Instagram – it looks like a cute place for coffee and a sandwich/ Ooh, I’m getting excited! x
Hi Miranda,
I’m currently on holiday in Newquay as we speak! We come here every year, but I agree that Newquay can be a bit of a party town these days so we stay in a little place called Holywell Bay (about 10 minutes outside of the main town) and it is beautiful here. Holywell bay beach is amazing, especially for surfing. I would second The Lewennick Lodge, it is a lovely place with stunning views. Jamie O’s at Watergate Bay is also a fab experience, however I have only ever been for breakfast so can’t comment on their dinner service.
Other things which have not been mentioned that I would recommend include the cafe irie on the main Newquay stretch if you fancy a quirky hippy style place. If you stay another day then depending on what you fancy, try Truro for shopping, or Padstow/St Ives for Cornish beauty and some independant little shops.
Hope you have a fab time!
Holywell Bay looks awesome – dream beach! Really want to get down to Watergate Bay too. Starting to think I’ll need more time to fit in everything I want to do! Enjoy the rest of your holiday and thank you for all the recommendations Kayleigh!
My husband and I were also looking at Greece but the prices were def putting me off, so opted for a week in Cornwall early September. We’re staying in Padstow which is a great little town (although not sure how accessible via public transport). Watergate bay is a must if you’re in Newquay and I’ve also been looking at a hotel called The Scarlet….pricey for a stay but the day spa could be a perfect wind down after your yoga.
I’m off to check out the recommendations above, I think there’s lots there to add to our trip – so thanks for sharing!
Hi Miranda, James and I had the tasting menu at Fifteen a few years ago and it was utterly amazing. There’s a cute cafe underneath too owned by the Watergate Bay hotel where you can get a smashing hot chocolate.
Padstow and St Ives are definitely worth a visit. Gorgeous places and have so much charm even out of season.
Fern – you’ve reminded me how much I love it in Cornwall. x
I really want to try Fifteen, I’ve never been to the one in the London, the Watergate Bay one has better views! Loving the idea of hot chocolate after a day on the beach, if it’s weather like today, not so much if it’s super-sunny – fingers crossed! x
If you have a car and you don’t mind a little trip to the tip of Cornwall then you absolutely have to go to Porthcurno beach! It’s beautiful, a hidden gem and also benefits from an open-air theatre. It’s one of my favourite places.
http://www.minack.com/
The open air theatre looks amazing Emma! I won’t have a car on this trip, perhaps on another visit.
Hi Miranda,
I would head to Padstow, hire a bike and cycle the camel trail which is beautiful. Also hop on the ferry over to Rock where the beaches are beautiful and often not too busy and great to walk along.
You could pop to the Mariners Pub which has been opened by Super Chef Nathan Outlaw for a pint of Doom Bar and some seriously delicious snacks.
Enjoy! It’s hands down my favourite place in the world x
My PIL live just outside of Newquay. When we head back to the UK for holidays we like to head to watergate bay and Fowey 🙂