Watergate Bay Touring Park

This part of Cornwall is stuffed with secluded coves, towering cliffs and sandy beaches, with seaside towns and villages scattered along the coast. But back to Watergate Bay first: the popular beach is big enough to stay uncrowded in the summer months and stretches for two and a half miles at low tide. It’s lifeguarded during summer and there are safe swimming areas for little squirts, with regular events including beach polo, Zapcat racing and family days in peak season – and a watersports and beach sports academy to help newbies dip their toe in the water or sand. Looking for refreshments? Jamie Oliver’s restaurant Fifteen Cornwall is just above the beach. Beachcombers can walk from Watergate Bay direct to Newquay, Cornwall’s surfing capital with surf schools and surf championships; even Newquay Golf Club overlooks the world-famous views of surfers’ paradise Fistral Beach. Mawgan Porth is also popular for surfers and has the South West Coast Path running along behind it for those who prefer to stay on land. Watergate Bay is about an hour’s drive from the artisty haven of St Ives, voted Cornwall’s Best Seaside Town in 2010 and 2011, and with four beaches here to laze around on after a visit to Tate St Ives. Or follow your nose to Padstow, ten miles away from Watergate Bay and a pull for foodie types with four Rick Stein restaurants; arrange a sea-fishing trip from here or Newquay to land your own local catch. For rainy days or day trips, there are endless attractions around Newquay and the rest of Cornwall: Newquay Zoo and the Blue Reef Aquarium for mini naturalists; going under the domes of the Eden Project; exploring china clay country and the Clay Trails, or getting historical at Cornwall’s old houses and castles.