Newquay

There’s a fine selection of hotels in the Cornish town of Newquay. Many have sweeping coastal views, including the boutique Lewinnick Lodge (Pentire Headland), which is perched on a cliff in a breathtaking location, and the very comfortable Atlantic Hotel Newquay (Dane Road).There are also some excellent lower-budget choices, such as Tregarthen (1 Arundel Way), a guest house that has chic rooms that come with iPod docks and flatscreen TVs, or the bright and breezy Surfside Stop (35 Mountwise), which likewise has designer looks, a great location, flatscreen TVs, DVD and CD players.

The pedestrianised nature of Newquay makes it ideal for exploring on foot. The centre houses a variety of shops that vary from the usual suspects to quirkier small businesses and surf specialists. Newquay is one of the best places around to get yourself a new board from someone who knows their stuff, along with all the latest gear. Boardwalk Surf (17 Cliff Road), Emoceanl Surf (2-4 Gover Lane) and the Watershed (3-5 Bank Street) will all look after you.

The Cornish pasty is of course the flagship of the Newquay cuisine, along with clotted cream tea, which can be sampled at the Coast Café (54 Fore Street), or for something a little more substantial try the Beached Lamb Cafe (72-74 Fore Street). International cuisines such as Chinese, Indian, Mexican and Thai thrive in Newquay, while Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen Cornwall restaurant (Watergate Bay) is close to town.

Boardmasters

August

A beach-based surf and music festival, Boardmasters often attracts big names. Don't let the eight stages and presence of food and drink stalls make you miss the fantastic coastal views.

Henri Lloyd Falmouth Week

August

Typically over 450 yachts race over the eight days of the sailing regatta, while there’s plenty to keep you entertained on shore. Classic yachts start proceedings each year with the Falmouth Classics race.

Newquay Fish Festival

September

The fish industry is vital to the town and the Newquay Fish Festival celebrates this by putting on plenty for families to enjoy, from fish barbecues to real ale bars, cookery demonstrations to sandcastle competitions and further entertainment besides.

Cornwall Film Festival

November

Cornish films are at the forefront of over 100 premieres of locally made offerings at the festival, although international short films also feature. Newquay has hosted the event since 2011, but it actually began life in 2001.

Newquay's Christmas Music and Ale Festival

December

This festival couldn't describe itself any better, taking place over three days there’s plenty of live music in the marquee and a great range of ales. Guests can venture to local pubs to partake in an ale trail that allows the sampling of local beers.