Newquay
There has been a settlement at Newquay since ancient times, indeed some sites date back 3/4000 years, as indicated by the numerous Bronze Age barrows (burial mounds) scattered over the region. Evidence of an Iron Age coastal fort can be seen among the cliffs and caves of Porth Island, a detached outcrop on Towan Beach connected to mainland Newquay by an elegant suspended footbridge.
The town takes its name from the new harbour ‘new quay' constructed in the 1830's by Joseph Treffry of Fowey for the purpose of exporting china clay and other Cornish minerals; this allowed Newquay to share in the Cornish mining boom of the 19th century. A tramway was built to facilitate the shipping of these minerals by improving the link from mines to port. From about 1850 until the early 1880's Newquay was a thriving port; this was typified by the long rowing-boats known as gigs, which competed with each other to land a pilot on an incoming cargo ship. This practice is reflected in the present day when throughout the summer there are organised races for gigs around a 6-mile course in Newquay Bay.
In common with many Cornish coastal communities, Newquay was an important pilchard-fishing centre in the centuries leading up to the industry's decline early in the 20th century. Standing to the west of the harbour, on a promontory, is Huer's House, an original fisherman's watchtower that recalls the town's pilchard fishing days. A path winds up to this vaguely castellated, whitewashed shelter from where local men kept a sharp watch for shoals of pilchards resembling purple patches on the water; when the pilchard shoals were spotted they would alert the fishing crews by calling ‘hevva hevva' down a trumpet-style loudspeaker. As with other Cornish ports and towns, the decline of traditional industries like mining and fishing was partly offset by the arrival of the railway in the mid 19th century, in Newquay's case dramatically transforming it into a major holiday resort. From the late 19th century on trainloads of visitors arrived to enjoy the town's extensive sandy beaches, scenic position and mild climate.
Present day Newquay is Cornwall's principal holiday resort, enjoying the luxury of having 10 beaches of firm golden sand. The most sheltered of these is Towan Beach, but even those exposed to the Atlantic surf are safe for bathing if care is taken. Cornwall's largest and liveliest seaside resort has none of the ordered quaintness of St Ives or Padstow, and its scale and list of organised attractions far outstrip those at Bude, further up the coast. Over the years a number of popular attractions have been constructed to satisfy tourist demand; amongst these is the Trenance Leisure Park on the southern fringes of town, with its boating lake, miniature railway, lovely lawns and gardens. Newquay Zoo, also in the park, features a range of environments and habitats for the resident wildlife, including an African Plain enclosure and a Tropical House. The nearby Sea Life Centre is another interesting attraction, while Tunnels Through Time brings to life stories of bygone days in Cornwall's past, with over 70 life-size figures.
Towan Beach is one of a succession of excellent beaches overlooked by the town, a clean, sandy, sheltered beach with a tidal paddling pool ideal for children. In recent decades Newquay has also acquired a reputation as one of the finest surfing centres in Britain. Throughout the year thousands of keen surfers ‘catch the waves' off Fistral Beach or watch the increasing number of national and international surfing competitions held here each season. Two miles to the south-west of Newquay is the delightful Holywell Bay with its adjoining Leisure Park; it has a very attractive beach with towering sand dunes that make this a popular resort and tourist centre, although it never appears over-crowded.
The exceptionally attractive small Elizabethan manor house at Trerice, three miles south-east of Newquay, is well worth a visit. Built in 1571 on the site of a medieval predecessor, it remained the family home of the influential Arundell family for several centuries. Sheltered within a walled garden the house is a typically Elizabethan E-shape, and has five scrolled gables, transomed and mullioned windows, and very tall chimneys; the whole structure is handsomely crafted from silver-yellow limestone and stands within 14 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds. The ornate plaster ceilings, overmantels and Great Hall with its delightful minstrel's gallery are original, and many of the contents are 18th century, some earlier. John Opie (1761-1807), at the time Cornwall's only nationally known artist, appears in self-portrait in the drawing room. The remarkable hall window contains 576 panes of glass, most of them 16th century original. Now the property of the National Trust, Trerice offers an excellent tea-room in a converted barn.