View source for Newquay

{{Short description|Town in Cornwall, England}}
{{Other uses|New Quay (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2025}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2025}}
{{Infobox UK place
| country = England
| map_type = Newquay
| official_name = Newquay
| cornish_name = Tewynblustri
| static_image_name = {{multiple image | border = infobox | | perrow = 1/2/2/2 | total_width = 270 | align = center

| image1 = Headland near Newquay harbour (5946).jpg
| caption1 = View of the harbour from the Killacourt
| image2 = Fistral Beach (0466).jpg
| caption2 = [[Fistral Beach]]
| image3 = Huers house.jpg
| caption3 = The Huers House
| image4 = Church Of St Michael (1).jpg
| caption4 = [[Parish Church]]
| image5= Plazawnewquaypiatyraqzwysylam.jpg
| caption5 = The Island house
| image6 = The Headland Hotel - geograph.org.uk - 1247060.jpg
| caption6 = The [[Headland Hotel]]
| image7 = Great Western Hotel, Newquay.jpg
| caption7 = [[Great Western Hotel, Newquay|Great Western Hotel]]
}}
| static_image_caption = View of the harbour from the Killacourt
| coordinates = {{coord|50.4120|-5.0757|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| population = 23,626
| population_ref = (Parish, 2021)<ref name=2021census>{{cite web |title=2021 Census Parish Profiles |url=https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/sources/census_2021_pp |website=NOMIS |publisher=Office for National Statistics |access-date=31 March 2025}} (To get individual parish data, use the query function on table PP002.)</ref><br>{{nowrap|24,545 (Built up area, 2021)<ref name=bua>{{cite web |title=Towns and cities, characteristics of built-up areas, England and Wales: Census 2021 |url=https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/housing/articles/townsandcitiescharacteristicsofbuiltupareasenglandandwales/census2021 |website=Census 2021 |publisher=Office for National Statistics |access-date=8 August 2023}}</ref>}}
| unitary_england = [[Cornwall Council|Cornwall]]
| lieutenancy_england = [[Cornwall]]
| region = South West England
| constituency_westminster = [[St Austell and Newquay (UK Parliament constituency)|St Austell and Newquay]]
| post_town = NEWQUAY
| postcode_district = TR7, TR8
| postcode_area = TR
| dial_code = 01637
| os_grid_reference = SW815615
| type = Town
| civil_parish = Newquay
| website = [https://www.newquay.gov.uk/ newquay.gov.uk]
| static_image_2 = 
| static_image_2_caption = [[Coat of arms]]
| static_image_2_width = 100px
| static_image = 
| statistic = 
| statistic_title = 
| area_total_sq_mi = 2.557
| statistic1 = 
| mapframe = yes
| mapframe-zoom = 11
| mapframe-point = none
| mapframe-wikidata = yes
}}

'''Newquay''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|nj|uː|k|i}} {{respell|NEW|kee}}; {{langx|kw|Tewynblustri|label=[[Standard Written Form]]}}){{Citation needed|date=September 2023}} is a town on the north coast in [[Cornwall]], England, United Kingdom. It is a [[civil parishes in England|civil parish]], [[seaside resort]], regional centre for [[aerospace]] industries with an airport and a [[spaceport]], and a [[fishing port]] on the [[North Atlantic]] coast, approximately {{convert|12|mi|km|0}} north of [[Truro]] and {{convert|20|mi|km|0}} west of [[Bodmin]].<ref>Ordnance Survey: Landranger map sheet 200 ''Newquay & Bodmin'' {{ISBN|978-0-319-22938-5}}</ref>

The town is bounded to the south by the [[River Gannel]] and its associated salt marsh, and to the north-east by the Porth Valley. The western edge of the town meets the Atlantic at [[Fistral Bay]]. The town has been expanding inland (south) since the former fishing village of New Quay began to grow in the second half of the nineteenth century.

At the [[2021–2022 United Kingdom censuses|2021 census]] the population of the parish was 23,626 and the population of the built up area as defined by the [[Office for National Statistics]] was 24,545.

==History==
=== Prehistoric period ===
There are some [[pre-historic]] [[burial mounds]] and an embankment on the area now known as ''The Barrowfields'', {{convert|400|m|yd|abbr=on}} from Trevelgue. There were once up to fifteen barrows, but now only a few remain. Excavations here have revealed charred cooking pots and a coarse pottery burial urn containing remains of a Bronze Age chieftain, who was buried here up to 3,500{{nbsp}}years ago.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Barrowfields |url=http://www.newquaytowncouncilcornwall.co.uk/local/?i=36 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090901051500/http://www.newquaytowncouncilcornwall.co.uk/local/?i=36 |archive-date=1 September 2009 |access-date=16 August 2013 |publisher=Newquaytowncouncilcornwall.co.uk }}</ref>

In 1987, evidence of a [[Bronze Age]] village was found at ''Trethellan Farm'', a site that overlooks the River Gannel.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Archaeological work at Scarcewater reveals rare & interesting finds |url=http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=1143 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930030934/http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=1143 |archive-date=30 September 2007 |access-date=16 August 2013 |publisher=Cornwall County Council }}</ref>

The first signs of settlement in the Newquay region consist of a late [[Iron Age]] hill fort/industrial centre which exploited the nearby abundant resources (including deposits of iron) and the superior natural defences provided by [[Trevelgue Head]]. It is claimed that occupation of the site was continuous from the 3rd century BC to the 5th or 6th century AD. A [[Dark Ages (historiography)|Dark Ages]] house was later built on the head.<ref>Interim account of 1939 excavation by C. K. Croft Andrew (1949)</ref>

=== Domesday Book ===
The settlement which is now known as Newquay was not mentioned in [[Domesday Book]], although a parcel of land was recorded at Treninnick, which is now part of suburban Newquay. [[Treninnick]] was then part of the manor of Coswarth and consisted of one virgate (value 15d) [{{convert|30|acre|ha|abbr=off}}] with five sheep. The village of [[Crantock]] is the only other recognisable name in the Newquay area also recorded in Domesday Book, (as "Langoroch").<ref>Thorn, Caroline and Frank (eds). ''Domesday Book: Cornwall''. Chichester, 1979.{{ISBN|0-85033 156 0}}</ref>

=== Funds to build a ‘new quay’ ===
In 1439, [[Edmund Lacey]], [[Bishop of Exeter]] granted an [[indulgence]] to build a new [[quay]] from which the town would later derive its modern name. However, this appeal did not succeed, and the harbour remained largely undeveloped until the early 17th century, although it is thought to have had a succession of short wooden piers since the 15th century, and possibly before that.

===Medieval to Early Modern period ===
[[File:Map showing the settlement now part of Newquay.png|thumb|left|The settlements of Towan and 'New Key']]
The origins of modern Newquay can be traced back to the [[Middle Ages|medieval period]] to a small cluster of cottages known as "Towan,"<ref>{{Cite book |last=Lysons |first=Daniel |title=Magna Britannia; being a concise topographical account of the several counties of Great Britain. With copious illustrations. vol. 1-6. L.P. (Volume 03) |publisher=[[Cadell & Davies]] |year=1806–1822 |location=London |publication-place=United Kingdom |pages=66}}</ref> located where the [[Central Inn, Newquay|Central Inn]] now stands. About 200 meters (660 feet) away was another settlement called "New Quay," referring to a small harbour within the Manor of Towan Blystra.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Dugdale |first=James |title=The New British Traveller, or, modern panorama of England and Wales; exhibiting ... an ... account ... of the most important portion of the British Empire ... Illustrated by ... maps, views of public buildings, antiquities, etc. (Volume 01) |publisher=J.Robins and Co |year=1819 |location=[[London]] |pages=424}}</ref> Despite occasional confusion, "Towan Blystra" is not a [[Cornish language|Cornish]] equivalent of Newquay, and there is no historical record of the name "Newquay" being rendered in [[Cornish language|Cornish]].<ref name="Teague1923">Teague Husband, S. (1923) ''Old Newquay''. Redruth: Dyllansow Truran {{ISBN|0-907566-86-3}}</ref> The two settlements were connected by a track that eventually became today's Fore Street. The local economy at the time relied primarily on fishing, agriculture, and some [[mining]] activity

The earliest mention of a [[fish market]] in the area dates back to 1571, found in the [[Arundell family|Arundell]] papers.<ref name="UrbanSurvey2003">{{Cite web |date=2003 |title=Cornwall & Scilly Urban Survey – Historic characterisation for regeneration: Newquay |url=http://newquayplan.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/csus_newquay_report.pdf |access-date=24 September 2024 }}</ref> It is believed that this market may have been located in what is now Central Square, though fish trading also likely took place directly at the quay and in nearby cellars.<ref name="UrbanSurvey2003" /> The public house later known as 'The Central' (rebuilt in 1859) became a hub of local trade, with farmers parking wagons of grain in the square and conducting business inside the inn.<ref name="UrbanSurvey2003" />

According to the accounts and financial reports of the Arundell papers from 1575, there is a mention of 'fysh bought at Newkaye,' which is likely one of the earliest recorded references to Newquay.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/e78833ea-73e0-4343-87d0-a5899bf656e0 |title=Catalogue description – Account of work carried out, mainly agricultural, at various places; e.g. 'for lxi... |date=1575 |language=English}}</ref>

[[Richard Carew (antiquary)|Richard Carew]]’s [[Survey of Cornwall]], published in 1602, includes the lines: “Neyther may I omit newe Kaye, a place in the North coast of this Hundred, so called, because in former times, the neighbours attempted, to supplie the defect of nature, by Art, in making there a Kay, for the Rode of shipping, which conceyt they still retayne, though want of means in themselves, or the place, have left the effect in Nubibus [unfulfilled].”<ref>{{cite book |last=Carew |first=Richard |title=The Survey of Cornwall, Book 2 |publisher=John Jaggard |year=1602 |edition=1st |series= |location=London |page=}}</ref>

In 1615, Thomas Stuer, who was [[Lord of the manor|Lord of the Manor]], applied for permission to build a single pier, and the development of the modern harbour then began.

=== The Huer's Hut ===
[[File:Huers house.jpg|thumb|Huer's hut, Newquay]]
The [[Huer's Hut]] at Newquay, Cornwall served as a lookout point from which a man known as a [[Conder (fishing)|huer]] could keep watch for the arrival of the pilchards. They could be discerned by the water turning a dark reddish-brown and by the flocks of seagulls which dived down to feed on the fish. The huer would announce the arrival by shouting "hevva, hevva" or through the use of a trumpet after which he would direct the townsfolk to the fish by waving tree branches above his head. The word huer has the same derivation as the "hue" in [[hue and cry]], after this action.<ref name="VN-Heur">{{Cite web |title=Huer's Hut Newquay |url=https://www.visitnewquay.org/explore/huers-hut |access-date=27 August 2023 |website=www.visitnewquay.org}}</ref>

The Huer's Hut at Newquay has been described as "a particularly fine late mediaeval specimen". The [[listed building]] description states that the current structure dates from the late 18th and early 19th centuries, though a plaque on the structure claims 14th-century origins. The plaque also states that the structure may have been used at an earlier time as a [[Hermitage (religious retreat)|hermitage]] and [[lighthouse]].<ref name="VN-Heur" />

The structure was restored in 1836, at which point the fireplace may have been significantly altered. It received protection as a listed building (under the name "Huer's House") on 24 October 1951 and is currently categorised as [[grade II*]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=SeaDogIT |title=The Huer's Hut |url=https://www.cornwallheritagetrust.org/commemorative_plaque/the-huers-hut/ |access-date=27 August 2023 |website=Cornwall Heritage Trust |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=HUER'S HOUSE, Newquay - 1144136 {{!}} Historic England |url=https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1144136 |access-date=27 August 2023 |website=historicengland.org.uk |language=en}}</ref>

=== Central Inn ===
[[File:The Central, Newquay - geograph.org.uk - 3959303.jpg|thumb|Central Inn in 2014]]
The origins of the original inn on the site of the present [[Central Inn, Newquay|Central Inn]] are unclear. An inn was recorded on this site in 1755,<ref name="Greenham1999">{{Cite book |last=Greenham |first=Joyce |title=Images of England: Newquay |last2=Harper |first2=Shelia |publisher=[[Tempus Publishing Limited]] |year=1999 |isbn=0752418270 |pages=37}}</ref> which was probably built of freestone and topped with a thatched roof, later slate. It served as an early place of trade.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Beacham |first=Peter |title=The Buildings of England: Cornwall |last2=Pevsner |first2=Nikolaus |publisher=[[Yale University Press]] |year=2014 |isbn=9780300126686 |location=London |pages=382}}</ref> In her publication "Old Newquay," Sarah Teague Husband described the inn in the 1850s as being "two or three hundred years old" and in a state of disrepair,.<ref name="Teague1923" />

The inn was rebuilt in 1859, and was known as the Commercial Inn until early in the 20th century.<ref name="Greenham1999" />

=== Dr William Borlase visit in 1755 ===
[[William Borlase|Dr William Borlase]], who was a Cornish [[antiquarian]] and the [[Rector (ecclesiastical)|Rector]] of [[Ludgvan]], visited Towan Blystra in 1755 during a tour of Cornwall. He wrote: <blockquote>"Passed the Ganel and went about a mile further to a place of about twelve houses called Towan Blystra, a furlong further to the New Quay in [[St Columb Minor|St Columb Parish]], here is a little pier, the north point of which is fixed on a rock, the end in a cliff; at the eastern end there is a gap cult [cut] about 25{{nbsp}}feet wide into the slaty rock of the cliff: This gap lets small ships into a basin which may hold about six ships of about 80{{nbsp}}tons burthen and at spring tides has 18{{nbsp}}feet of water in it, upon the brow of the cliff is a dwelling house and a commodious cellar lately built."
<ref>{{Cite book |last=Lyon |first=Rod |title=Early Newquay|publisher= |year=1991 |isbn= |edition=1st |location=United Kingdom |language=English}}</ref></blockquote>The dwelling house mentioned by Borlase is believed to be referring to 'Quay House' one of the oldest building in the town, the Newquay edition of the Homeland Handbooks book (1931) described it as having a "''picturesque front and low grey roof may be observed beyond a gate marked 'Private'.''"<ref>{{Cite book |last=Goddard |first=Fanny |title=The Homeland Handbooks: Newquay (Cornwall) |last2=Cresswell |first2=Beatrix F |publisher=The Homeland Association LTD |year=1931 |volume=27 |location=[[London]] |pages=10}}</ref>

=== 19th century ===
{{more citations needed|section|date=December 2021}}
[[File:Newquay , Newquay Golf Club Clubhouse - geograph.org.uk - 2605794.jpg|thumb|The tower, now Newquay Golf Club]]
The first national British census of 1801 recorded around 1,300{{nbsp}}inhabitants in the settlement which would have include the small settlements which would become Newquay (enumerated as a village under [[St Columb Minor]] parish).

In 1832 the London-based entrepreneur [[Richard Lomax]] bought the manor of Towan Blystra. This included the small harbour at what was becoming known as New Quay.<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 June 2021 |title=The Early Development of Newquay to c1900 |url=https://www.cornwallheritage.com/youtube-social-media/discovering-cornwall-the-early-development-of-newquay-to-c1900/ |access-date=17 February 2023 |language=en}}</ref>

The proposal included a description of New Quay and Towan and the unpaved track between the settlements. It also showed some buildings including an inn, (this was rebuilt in 1859 and is now known as The Central), cottages along what would become Bank Street and other structures connected with the fishing industry, such as the cellars, where the fish were dried and packed in barrels. Lomax began the construction of the north and south quay, but he died in 1837 before his harbour had been completed.

The harbour was at its most prosperous in the 25{{nbsp}}years following its purchase in the 1870s by the [[Cornwall Minerals Railway]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Cornwall Minerals Railway - Graces Guide|url=https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Cornwall_Minerals_Railway|access-date=22 December 2021|website=www.gracesguide.co.uk}}</ref> In 1872 the middle jetty was added to expand capacity.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ertach Kernow – Visionary who engineered a great chapter in Cornish history – Association for Cornish Heritage|url=https://www.cornwallheritage.com/news-blogs/ertach-kernow-blogs/ertach-kernow-visionary-who-engineered-a-great-chapter-in-cornish-history-2/|access-date=22 December 2021|language=en-GB|archive-date=22 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222150945/https://www.cornwallheritage.com/news-blogs/ertach-kernow-blogs/ertach-kernow-visionary-who-engineered-a-great-chapter-in-cornish-history-2/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

To the north of the harbour there were [[Fish collar|fish cellars]] in the 19th century, where pilchards were salted and packed in casks. The two remaining areas are Fly cellars and Active cellars, although the others have disappeared.

A mansion called the Tower was built for the Molesworth family in 1835: it included a castellated tower and a private chapel as they were [[Roman Catholics]] and no church for that denomination existed in the area. The Tower later became the golf club house.<ref>Pevsner, N. (1970) ''Cornwall''; 2nd ed. Penguin Books; p. 126</ref> After the arrival of passenger trains in June 1876, the town started to develop with many rows of private houses and hotels began to emerge.

=== Victorian hotels ===
[[File:Great Western Hotel, Newquay - geograph.org.uk - 1592134.jpg|thumb|Great Western Hotel]]
Several major hotels were built around the end of the 19th century, the first being the [[Great Western Hotel (Newquay)|Great Western Hotel]] which opened in 1879 on Station Road, now Cliff Road. The original hotel was enlarged and altered in the 1930s.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Step into our history: The Great Western {{!}} Stay in Newquay {{!}} Pub History {{!}} St Austell Brewery |url=https://staustellbrewery.co.uk/2022/july/step-into-our-history-the-great-western/ |access-date=16 July 2022 |website=staustellbrewery.co.uk |archive-date=11 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711090726/https://staustellbrewery.co.uk/2022/july/step-into-our-history-the-great-western/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Other early first-class hotels included the [[Hotel Victoria, Newquay|Victoria]] (1899), the [[Atlantic Hotel, Newquay|Atlantic]] (1892) and the [[Headland Hotel|Headland]] (1900) near [[Fistral Beach|Fistral]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=bwdeacon |date=7 July 2020 |title=Tourism: cure or curse? |url=https://bernarddeacon.com/2020/07/07/tourism-cure-or-curse/ |access-date=16 July 2022 |website=Cornish studies resources |language=en}}</ref> Many smaller hotels were also being opened. Some were created around the turn of the century by converting large houses, many of which had been built originally by [[wealth]]y visitors as [[holiday homes]], particularly along Narrowcliff.

===20th century===
[[File:Cross near Headland Hotel (5963).jpg|thumb|Newquay war memorial]]
Three churches were built early in the twentieth century, including the present day [[Newquay Parish Church of St Michael the Archangel|parish church of St Michael the Archangel]], which was consecrated in 1911. Growth of the town eastwards soon reached the area around the [[Newquay railway station|railway station]]: Station Road became Cliff Road around 1930, and the houses beyond, along Narrowcliff, were also converted into hotels. Narrowcliff was known for a while as Narrowcliff Promenade, and then Narrowcliff Road. On some pre-war maps, it is spelt Narrowcliffe.

At the time of the [[First World War]] the last buildings at the edge of the town were a little further along present-day Narrowcliff. Post-war development saw new houses and streets built in the Chester Road area, accompanied by ribbon development along the country lane which led to St Columb Minor, some {{convert|2|mi|km|0}} away. This thoroughfare was modernised and named Henver Road, also some time in the 1930s. Development continued in this direction until the [[Second World War]], by which time much of Henver Road had houses on both sides, with considerable infilling also taking place between there and the sea.

A thriving knitting industry became established in Newquay in the early part of the 20th century. In 1905, Madame Hawke began selling machine-knitted garments in a shop in the centre of the town. [[Debenhams]] was sent a sample of her work and commissioned her as a supplier. She opened a factory in Crantock Street, which has since been converted into housing. Several competing knitting companies were also set up in the town in this period.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Newquay Knitting Factories |url=http://newquayoldcornwall.org.uk/industry/knitting.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180727181226/http://newquayoldcornwall.org.uk/industry/knitting.php |archive-date=27 July 2018 |access-date=27 July 2018 |publisher=Newquay Old Cornwall Society}}</ref>

In the early 1950s, the last houses were built along Henver Road. After that, there was a virtually continuous building line on both sides of the main road from the other side of [[St Columb Minor]] right into the town centre. The Doublestiles estate to the north of Henver Road was also built in the early 1950s, as the name of Coronation Way indicates, and further development continued beyond, becoming the Lewarne Estate and extending the built up area to the edges of Porth.

Other areas also developed in the period between the wars were Pentire (known for a time as West Newquay) and the Trenance Valley. Other streets dating from the 1920s included St Thomas Road, which provided the approach to the town's new cottage hospital at its far end, to be followed by others in the same area near the station, such as Pargolla Road.

More recent development has been on a larger scale: until the late 1960s, a passenger arriving by train would not have seen a building by the line (with the exception of Trencreek village) until the Trenance Viaduct was reached. Today, the urban area starts a good {{convert|1.5|mi|km|0}} inland from the viaduct. Other growth areas have been on the fringes of St Columb Minor and also towards the Gannel. More development beyond Treninnick, south of the Trenance Valley, has taken the urban area out as far as Lane, where more building is now under way. The Trennnick/Treloggan development, mainly in the 1970s and 1980s, included not merely housing but also an industrial estate and several large commercial outlets, including a major supermarket and a cash and carry warehouse.

===21st century===
One of the worst hotel fires in Britain for many years occurred in 2007 at the [[Penhallow Hotel fire|Penhallow hotel]], which overlooked Towan beach. Three people were killed because the hotel management had not complied with fire safety standards.<ref>{{cite news |title=Newquay's Penhallow 'worst UK hotel fire in 40 years' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-13277198 |access-date=4 January 2022 |work=BBC News |date=4 May 2011}}</ref> The building was later demolished and replaced by a new structure.

The first phase of a new [[Duchy of Cornwall]] development began to be built in 2012 at Tregunnel Hill, which was sometimes unofficially called Surfbury after the similar [[Poundbury]] development in Dorset. It has 174 houses of traditional designs.<ref>{{Cite news |date=16 May 2012 |title=Work due to start on 'Surfbury' scheme |work=Western Morning News |publisher=Local World |url=http://www.westernmorningnews.co.uk/work-start-surfbury-scheme/story-16097105-detail/story.html |access-date=9 August 2016}}{{Dead link|date=August 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

There is now a similar but much more substantial development in progress inland, and construction on a large site known as [[Nansledan]] ('broad valley' in Cornish) is now well under way, mainly west of the Quintrell Road. Plans were approved for the development of 800{{nbsp}}homes at Nansledan in December 2013,<ref>{{Cite news |date=20 December 2013 |title=Duchy of Cornwall plans for 800 Newquay homes approved |work=BBC.com |publisher=BBC |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cornwall-25464014 |url-status=live |access-date=9 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919135037/http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cornwall-25464014 |archive-date=19 September 2016}}</ref> but the plan now includes more than 4,000{{nbsp}}homes, shops, a supermarket, church and a 14-classroom primary school which opened to its first pupils in September 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 March 2018 |title=Duke of Cornwall unveils name of Nansledan primary school |url=http://www.nansledan.com/duke-cornwall-unveils-name-nansledan-primary-school/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718174512/http://nansledan.com/duke-cornwall-unveils-name-nansledan-primary-school/ |archive-date=18 July 2018 |access-date=18 July 2018 |website=Nansledan official website}}</ref> Following the example set at Tregunnel Hill, the buildings are again of traditional designs and all street names are in Cornish.

Places like [[Trencreek]], [[Porth, Cornwall|Porth]] and [[St Columb Minor]] have long since become suburbs of Newquay: it had been reported that it was possible that by the 2030s, should present development trends continue, the south eastern edge of the town could stretch beyond the present boundary set by Nansledan and encompass [[Quintrell Downs]], {{convert|3|mi|km|0}} from the town centre.<ref>{{Cite news |date=6 February 2017 |title=How long will it be until Newquay and Quintrell Downs adjoin? |work=Cornwall Live |url=http://www.cornwalllive.com/latest-homes-plans-begs-the-question-how-long-will-it-be-until-newquay-and-quintrell-downs-adjoin/story-30109475-detail/story.html |url-status=dead |access-date=22 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170206131950/http://www.cornwalllive.com/latest-homes-plans-begs-the-question-how-long-will-it-be-until-newquay-and-quintrell-downs-adjoin/story-30109475-detail/story.html |archive-date=6 February 2017}}</ref> However, the Newquay Neighbourhood Development Plan, which was approved in a referendum held on 6 April 2019, said it was important to retain a 'green buffer' between Newquay and Quintrell Downs.

In April 2012, the [[Aerohub]] enterprise zone for aerospace businesses was set up at [[Newquay Airport]]. In September 2014, the UK's [[Homes and Communities Agency]] and the [[European Regional Development Fund]] agreed to fund the construction of a £6{{nbsp}}million Aerohub Business Park there.<ref>{{Cite news |date=5 September 2014 |title=Aerohub business park at Newquay Airport to gain £6m investment |work=BBC News Online |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-29075623 |url-status=live |access-date=7 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028130716/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-29075623 |archive-date=28 October 2014}}</ref> A plan to launch space vehicles from a new spaceport alongside the airport moved ahead in July 2018, when a contract was signed with [[Virgin Orbit]]. The first launch from the spaceport, named [[Spaceport Cornwall]], took place on 9 January 2023. The initial launch of the [[LauncherOne]] rocket from the carrier aircraft, ''Cosmic Girl'', was successful but the rocket's second stage suffered an anomaly and the vehicle and payload satellites failed to reach orbit.<ref name="firstspacelaunch1">{{cite web |title=UK space mission fails after rocket 'anomaly' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-64215127 |website=BBC News |date=9 January 2023 |access-date=10 January 2023}}</ref><ref name="firstspacelaunch2">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-64218883 | title=UK space launch: Historic Cornwall rocket launch ends in failure | date=10 January 2023 | publisher=BBC News |access-date=10 January 2023}}</ref>

== Governance ==
[[File:Tourist Information Office, Newquay - geograph.org.uk - 4416578.jpg|thumb|Tourist Information Office and Municipal Buildings, Marcus Hill]]
There are two tiers of local government covering Newquay, at [[Parish council (England)|parish]] (town) and [[Unitary authorities of England|unitary authority]] level: Newquay Town Council (which styles itself "Newquay Council") and [[Cornwall Council]]. The town council is based at the Municipal Buildings on Marcus Hill.<ref name=TC>{{cite web |title=Contact |url=https://www.newquay.gov.uk/contact/ |website=Newquay Council |access-date=11 September 2025}}</ref>

The [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]] for [[St Austell and Newquay (UK Parliament constituency)|St Austell and Newquay]] is [[Noah Law]] ([[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]]), who won the seat in the General Election of 4 July 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Law |first=Noah |date=20 July 2024 |title=Cornwall's Voice: Noah Law Labour MP for St Austell & Newquay |url=https://www.voicenewspapers.co.uk/opinion/cornwalls-voice-noah-law-labour-mp-for-st-austell-newquay-704596 |website=Newquay Voice}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Reines |first=Jeff |date=5 July 2024 |title=St Austell and Newquay turn red with Labour |url=https://www.cornwalllive.com/news/cornwall-news/st-austell-newquay-general-election-9379748 |access-date=10 September 2024 |website=Cornwall Live |language=en}}</ref> The previous [[Member of parliament|MP]] was [[Steve Double]] ([[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]]) who had been MP for the constituency since it was created in 2010. He was re-elected in 2015 and 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 July 2024 |title=Conservatives lose all six seats in Cornwall |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8vd93vv0g4o |access-date=10 September 2024 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>

===Administrative history===
Newquay historically formed part of the [[ancient parish]] of [[St Columb Minor]] in the [[Hundreds of Cornwall|Pydarshire Hundred]] of Cornwall.<ref>{{cite web |title=St Columb Minor Parish |url=https://visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10067900 |website=A Vision of Britain through Time |publisher=GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth |access-date=11 September 2025}}</ref> In 1868 a Newquay [[Local Government Act 1858|local government district]] was established, administered by an elected local board.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=23391|page=3434|date=19 June 1868}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Kelly's Directory of Cornwall |date=1893 |page=1212 |url=https://leicester.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16445coll4/id/170943 |access-date=11 September 2025}}</ref> Such districts were reconstituted as [[Urban district (England and Wales)|urban districts]] under the [[Local Government Act 1894]].<ref name=VoB>{{cite web |title=Newquay Urban District |url=https://visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10002187 |website=A Vision of Britain through Time |publisher=GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth |access-date=11 September 2025}}</ref> In [[ecclesiastical]] terms, Newquay remained a [[chapelry]] of the [[ecclesiastical parish]] of St Columb Minor until 1918.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Youngs |first1=Frederic |title=Guide to the Local Administrative Units of England: Volume 1, Southern England |date=1979 |publisher=Royal Historical Society |location=London |isbn=0901050679 |page=64}}</ref>

The [[Urban district (England and Wales)|urban district]] was enlarged in 1902 and 1934; the 1934 expansion included taking in the neighbouring villages of [[Crantock]] and [[St Columb Minor]].<ref name=VoB/> In 1957 the urban district council moved its headquarters to the former Manor hotel on Marcus Hill, which became known as the Municipal Buildings.<ref>{{cite news |title=Newquay Council thinking about new offices plan |url=https://www.findmypast.co.uk/image-viewer?issue=BL%2F0002824%2F19641231&page=9 |access-date=11 September 2025 |work=Cornish Guardian |date=31 December 1964 |location=Bodmin |page=9}}</ref>

Newquay Urban District was abolished in 1974 under the [[Local Government Act 1972]], when the area became part of the new borough of [[Restormel]].<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The English Non-metropolitan Districts (Definition) Order 1972|year=1972|number=2039|accessdate=3 March 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The English Non-metropolitan Districts (Names) Order 1973|year=1973|number=551|accessdate=3 March 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=District Councils and Boroughs |url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/written-answers/1974/mar/28/district-councils-and-boroughs#S5CV0871P0_19740328_CWA_145 |website=[[Hansard|Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)]] |access-date=4 December 2021 |date=28 March 1974}}</ref> The area of the former Newquay Urban District became an [[unparished area]] as a result of the 1974 reforms. Two new parishes were subsequently created covering the former Newquay Urban District in 1983; Crantock and Newquay.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Restormel (Parishes) Order 1983 |url=https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20221202003052mp_/https://s3-eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/lgbce/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/12458/restormel-parishes-order-1983.pdf |website=Local Government Boundary Commission for England |publisher=The National Archives |access-date=11 September 2025}}</ref> The parish council for Newquay declared that parish to be a town, allowing it to take the name Newquay Town Council and letting the chairperson of the council take the title of [[Mayors in England|mayor]].<ref name=TC/>

[[Restormel]] was abolished in 2009. [[Cornwall Council|Cornwall County Council]] then took on district-level functions, making it a [[unitary authority]], and was renamed Cornwall Council.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The Cornwall (Structural Change) Order 2008|year=2008|number=491|access-date=19 February 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The Local Government (Structural Changes) (Miscellaneous Amendments and Other Provision) Order 2009|year=2009|number=837|article=3}}</ref>

==Geography==
===Climate===
As with the rest of the [[British Isles]] and South West England, Newquay experiences a [[maritime climate]] with cool summers and mild winters. The nearest Met Office weather station is St. Mawgan/Newquay Airport, about 3.5 miles to the north east of the town centre. Temperature extremes in the area since 1960 vary from {{convert|31.3|C|F}} in June 1976 and August 1995<ref>{{Cite web |title=1976 temperature |url=http://eca.knmi.nl/utils/monitordetail.php?seasonid=14&year=1995&indexid=TXx&stationid=2130 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120611101030/http://eca.knmi.nl/utils/monitordetail.php?seasonid=14&year=1995&indexid=TXx&stationid=2130 |archive-date=11 June 2012 |access-date=16 August 2013 |publisher=[[KNMI (institute)|KNMI]]}}</ref>  down to {{convert|-9.0|C|F}} during January 1987.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1987 temperature |url=http://eca.knmi.nl/utils/monitordetail.php?seasonid=7&year=1987&indexid=TNn&stationid=1816 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120611101043/http://eca.knmi.nl/utils/monitordetail.php?seasonid=7&year=1987&indexid=TNn&stationid=1816 |archive-date=11 June 2012 |access-date=16 August 2013 |publisher=[[KNMI (institute)|KNMI]]}}</ref>

{{Weather box|width=auto
|location = [[Newquay Cornwall Airport]]<br>[[Location identifier#WMO station identifiers|WMO ID]]: 03817; coordinates {{coord|50.43869|N|4.99645|W|type:landmark_region:GB|name=Newquay Cornwall Airport - Climate Station|format=dms}}; elevation: {{convert|103|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}; 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1960–present{{efn|Extreme temperature records were measured at NQY from 1960–2008, since 2008 extremes and average extremes were recorded at Newquay Weather Station.}}
|metric first = Yes
|single line = Yes
|Jan record high C = 15.1
|Feb record high C = 18.4
|Mar record high C = 22.2
|Apr record high C = 24.3
|May record high C = 27.9
|Jun record high C = 31.3
|Jul record high C = 31.4
|Aug record high C = 32.4
|Sep record high C = 29.9
|Oct record high C = 26.5
|Nov record high C = 19.2
|Dec record high C = 16.5
| Jan avg record high C  = 13.0
| Feb avg record high C  = 13.3
| Mar avg record high C  = 16.8
| Apr avg record high C  = 18.9
| May avg record high C  = 22.6
| Jun avg record high C  = 25.0
| Jul avg record high C  = 25.8
| Aug avg record high C  = 24.0
| Sep avg record high C  = 22.5
| Oct avg record high C  = 20.7
| Nov avg record high C  = 16.4
| Dec avg record high C  = 13.6
| year avg record high C = 27.3
|Jan high C = 9.0
|Feb high C = 9.0
|Mar high C = 10.4
|Apr high C = 12.5
|May high C = 15.1
|Jun high C = 17.5
|Jul high C = 19.1
|Aug high C = 19.1
|Sep high C = 17.7
|Oct high C = 14.6
|Nov high C = 11.7
|Dec high C = 9.7
|year high C = 13.8
| Jan mean C = 6.7
| Feb mean C = 6.6
| Mar mean C = 7.7
| Apr mean C = 9.4
| May mean C = 12.0
| Jun mean C = 14.5
| Jul mean C = 16.3
| Aug mean C = 16.4
| Sep mean C = 14.9
| Oct mean C = 12.2
| Nov mean C = 9.4
| Dec mean C = 7.4
| year mean C = 11.1
|Jan low C = 4.3
|Feb low C = 4.1
|Mar low C = 5.1
|Apr low C = 6.4
|May low C = 8.9
|Jun low C = 11.5
|Jul low C = 13.5
|Aug low C = 13.7
|Sep low C = 12.1
|Oct low C = 9.8
|Nov low C = 7.1
|Dec low C = 5.1
|year low C = 8.5
| Jan avg record low C  = -0.0
| Feb avg record low C  = 0.7
| Mar avg record low C  = 0.7
| Apr avg record low C  = 3.1
| May avg record low C  = 5.5
| Jun avg record low C  = 8.6
| Jul avg record low C  = 10.9
| Aug avg record low C  = 10.6
| Sep avg record low C  = 8.5
| Oct avg record low C  = 5.4
| Nov avg record low C  = 4.2
| Dec avg record low C  = 1.5
| year avg record low C = -1.6
|Jan record low C = -9.0
|Feb record low C = −8.5
|Mar record low C = -8.5
|Apr record low C = −2.1
|May record low C = 1.0
|Jun record low C = 2.7
|Jul record low C = 7.4
|Aug record low C = 7.2
|Sep record low C = 4.9
|Oct record low C = -0.1
|Nov record low C = −4.2
|Dec record low C = −6.7
|year record low C = −9.0
|unit rain days= 1.0&nbsp;mm
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 109.0
|Feb precipitation mm = 83.2
|Mar precipitation mm = 68.8
|Apr precipitation mm = 65.7
|May precipitation mm = 58.4
|Jun precipitation mm = 63.1
|Jul precipitation mm = 71.5
|Aug precipitation mm = 71.3
|Sep precipitation mm = 77.2
|Oct precipitation mm = 108.0
|Nov precipitation mm = 127.7
|Dec precipitation mm = 115.7
|year precipitation mm = 1019.4
|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 16.4
|Feb precipitation days = 13.3
|Mar precipitation days = 12.4
|Apr precipitation days = 11.1
|May precipitation days = 9.8
|Jun precipitation days = 10.1
|Jul precipitation days = 11.4
|Aug precipitation days = 12.1
|Sep precipitation days = 11.5
|Oct precipitation days = 15.2
|Nov precipitation days = 17.8
|Dec precipitation days = 17.1
|year precipitation days= 158.1
| daily           =Y
| Jan humidity    =86
| Feb humidity    =85
| Mar humidity    =84
| Apr humidity    =82
| May humidity    =82
| Jun humidity    =84
| Jul humidity    =85
| Aug humidity    =85
| Sep humidity    =85
| Oct humidity    =86
| Nov humidity    =86
| Dec humidity    =86
| Jan dew point C =4
| Feb dew point C =4
| Mar dew point C =5
| Apr dew point C =6
| May dew point C =8
| Jun dew point C =11
| Jul dew point C =13
| Aug dew point C =13
| Sep dew point C =11
| Oct dew point C =9
| Nov dew point C =7
| Dec dew point C =5
|Jan sun = 67.8
|Feb sun = 91.1
|Mar sun = 133.3
|Apr sun = 194.3
|May sun = 224.2
|Jun sun = 219.5
|Jul sun = 207.5
|Aug sun = 196.7
|Sep sun = 167.1
|Oct sun = 119.8
|Nov sun = 75.1
|Dec sun = 61.6
|year sun = 1758.0
|source 1 = [[Met Office]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=St Mawgan Climate |url=https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/climate/gbuqyjzyd |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181111133932/https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/climate/gbuqyjzyd |archive-date=11 November 2018 |access-date=11 November 2018 |publisher=[[UKMO]]}}</ref>
|source 2 = [[Royal Dutch Meteorological Institute]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=St Mawgan extremes |url=http://eca.knmi.nl/utils/mapserver/anomaly.php?indexcat=**&indexid=TNn&year=1962&seasonid=18&create_image=true&minx=-528750.00000003&miny=-4659285.7142857&maxx=-312083.33333334&maxy=-4496785.7142857&MapSize=560%2C420&imagewidth=560&imageheight=420&mainmap.x=336&mainmap.y=207&CMD=QUERY_POINT&CMD=QUERY_POINT#bottom |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120611101146/http://eca.knmi.nl/utils/mapserver/anomaly.php?indexcat=**&indexid=TNn&year=1962&seasonid=18&create_image=true&minx=-528750.00000003&miny=-4659285.7142857&maxx=-312083.33333334&maxy=-4496785.7142857&MapSize=560,420&imagewidth=560&imageheight=420&mainmap.x=336&mainmap.y=207&CMD=QUERY_POINT&CMD=QUERY_POINT#bottom |archive-date=11 June 2012 |access-date=12 November 2011 |publisher=[[KNMI (institute)|KNMI]]}}</ref> Source #3: Newquay Weather Station<ref>{{Cite web |title=Newquay Weather Station - Yearly Temperature Summary Reports |url=http://www.newquayweather.com/wxtempsummary.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160421015232/http://www.newquayweather.com/wxtempsummary.php |archive-date=21 April 2016 |access-date=20 October 2016 |website=Newquayweather.com}}</ref>

Source 4: Time and Date<ref>{{cite web
|url = https://www.timeanddate.com/weather/@11821572/climate
|title = Climate & Weather Averages at Saint Mawgan
|publisher = Time and Date
|access-date = 16 January 2022}}</ref>

}}

===Geology===
The bedrock underlying Newquay is the [[Devonian]] age [[Meadfoot Group]], a succession of interbedded [[mudstone]]s, [[siltstone]]s and [[sandstone]]s, with occasional beds of [[limestone]]. [[Quaternary]] age deposits of blown sand cover the bedrock in the western part of the town. Some mineralisation associated with the [[Cornubian batholith|Cornubian granite batholith]] that intrudes into much of the peninsular is found in the western part of the town near [[Fistral Beach]], in the form of [[lode]]s of [[lead]] and [[silver]] minerals.

==Economy==
===Tourism===
[[File:Newquay-cliffs-5.jpg|thumb|upright|Tolcarne Beach]]
[[File:Newquay Fistral Beach-IMG 8001.jpg|thumb|Fistral Beach]]
Newquay has been a major tourist destination for more than a century, principally on account of its coastline and nine long and accessible sandy beaches. These include [[Fistral Beach|Fistral]], which could claim to the best known surfing beach in the [[British Isles]]. Around 25,000 people live in Newquay, but the population can increase to 100,000 or more in the summer because Newquay has a large stock of holiday accommodation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Newquay Facts |url=http://www.newquay-harbour.com/newquay-facts.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151220023000/http://newquay-harbour.com/newquay-facts.html |archive-date=20 December 2015 |access-date=20 October 2016 |website=Newquay-harbour.com}}</ref>

During the 20th century, the town developed in sections, Trenance Leisure Gardens are in a wooded, formerly marshy valley on the quieter edge of Newquay, stretching down to the Gannel Estuary. From the [[Edwardian era]] it provided recreation for tourists with walks, tennis courts and a bowling green. The gardens are spanned by a stone railway viaduct which was rebuilt just before the Second World War. The boating lake was dug during the depression of the 1930s, as a work creation scheme. In the late 1960s, further enterprises were established by the council, including mini-golf, a swimming pool, the [[Little Western Railway]] miniature railway which opened in 1968 and [[Newquay Zoo]], which opened in 1969.

Newquay was also known for the "Run to the Sun" event, which began on Fistral Beach in 1987 and then took place for many years during the public holiday on the last weekend in May at Trevelgue Holiday Park. People visited the town in [[Volkswagen Type 2|Volkswagen camper vans]], [[Volkswagen Beetle]]s and other custom cars. The last RTTS took place in 2014,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Run to the Sun Newquay |url=https://www.newquay.co.uk/event/run-sun/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170921144314/https://www.newquay.co.uk/event/run-sun/ |archive-date=21 September 2017 |access-date=21 September 2017 |website=newquay.co.uk}}</ref> but in 2023, it was announced that the event would return on 27 May to a new site at St Mawgan, just outside Newquay.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://rtts.co.uk/|title=The Official Run To The Sun Page RTTS|website=The Official Run To The Sun Page RTTS|accessdate=11 March 2023}}</ref>

Other events in recent times have included the large Boardmasters music festival, which attracts another 50,000 visitors over one weekend in early August and is held on sites at Watergate Bay (outside the urban area) and Fistral Beach. Cornwall Pride moved to Newquay from Truro in 2017, and this took place in 2018 on the last Saturday in August.

The {{cvt|630|mi|0}} [[South West Coast Path]] runs through the town.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Distance reckoner |url=http://www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk/walk-coast-path/distance-calculator/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071024195604/http://www.swcp.org.uk/walk/reckoner.html |archive-date=24 October 2007 |access-date=27 February 2018 |publisher=South West Coast Path Association}}</ref>

====Town trail====
Newquay Discovery Trail<ref name="Newquay Discovery Trail">{{Cite book |last=Long |first=Peter |title=The Hidden Places of Cornwall |publisher=Travel Publishing Ltd |year=2002 |isbn=9781902007861 |pages=78, 79}}</ref> is made up of 14 Cornish slate discs, each {{convert|1|m|in|abbr=off}} in diameter, sunk into the ground at strategic points around the town. Each of the discs features a series of 'conundrum' words carved by sculptor Peter Martin. The trail starts in the centre of town at the Killacourt.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Newquay Discovery Trial<!--sic--> |url=http://newquay.oldcornwall.org.uk/misc/disctrail.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130802164516/http://www.newquay.oldcornwall.org.uk/misc/disctrail.shtml |archive-date=2 August 2013 |access-date=16 August 2013 |publisher=Newquay.oldcornwall.org.uk}}</ref><ref name="Treasure Trail Open Weekend">{{Cite news |date=19 May 2010 |title=Treasure Trail Open Weekend |work=West Briton |url=http://www.westbriton.co.uk/treasure-trail-open-weekend/story-11521915-detail/story.html |access-date=19 May 2010}}{{Dead link|date=August 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

===Spaceport===
Newquay has obtained a licence to operate as a spaceport, called [[Spaceport Cornwall]].<ref name="firstspacelaunch2"/><ref>{{Cite web |title=Spaceport Cornwall website |url=http://www.spaceportcornwall.com/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170422204230/http://spaceportcornwall.com/ |archive-date=22 April 2017 |access-date=22 April 2017 |website=Spaceport Cornwall}}</ref> A decision had been expected about the sites of UK spaceports in the summer of 2017, but the additional general election in June 2017 delayed necessary legislation for a time. Cornwall's bid was supported by Cornwall Council and Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership. The proposal also included the related Cornish space tracking station at [[Goonhilly]], which is near Helston in south Cornwall. On 16 July 2018, a new partnership was announced with Virgin Orbit to create the spaceport, with the intention of launching satellites from Newquay within three years. On the same day, the government confirmed that a grant worth £2{{nbsp}}million would be available to developing spaceports.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cornwall Spaceport is a go and this is what it will mean for you |url=https://www.cornwalllive.com/news/cornwall-news/cornwall-spaceport-go-what-means-1527844 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180716170053/https://www.cornwalllive.com/news/cornwall-news/cornwall-spaceport-go-what-means-1527844 |archive-date=16 July 2018 |access-date=16 July 2018 |website=Cornwall Live|date=16 July 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=One giant leap: Vertical launch spaceport to bring UK into new space age |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/one-giant-leap-vertical-launch-spaceport-to-bring-uk-into-new-space-age |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180716105713/https://www.gov.uk/government/news/one-giant-leap-vertical-launch-spaceport-to-bring-uk-into-new-space-age |archive-date=16 July 2018 |access-date=16 July 2018 |website=Department for Transport}}</ref> The planned first satellite from Newquay, Kernow Sat 1, was to measure ocean pollution and deforestation and was planned to be launched in summer 2022 (in the end, Kernow Sat 1 was not present on the first launch from Spaceport Cornwall in 2023<ref>{{Cite web |last=Graham |first=William |date=9 January 2023 |title=Virgin Orbit fails on first mission from the UK with Start Me Up |url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2023/01/virgin-orbit-start-me-up/ |access-date=10 January 2023 |website=NASASpaceFlight.com |language=en-US}}</ref>). On 24 February 2022, the then Business Secretary, [[Kwasi Kwarteng]], formally launched the construction of a £5.6{{nbsp}}million Centre for Space Technologies alongside the Spaceport, and the new Centre is expected to create 150 jobs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cornwall Space technology centre 'hugely exciting' says minister |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-60495246 |access-date=25 February 2022 |website=BBC News|date=24 February 2022 }}</ref> The first, unsuccessful, attempt to launch satellites took place on 9 January 2023.<ref name="firstspacelaunch1"/><ref name="firstspacelaunch2"/>

==Transport==
=== Railway ===
[[File:2009 at Newquay railway station - the concourse canopy.jpg|thumb|Newquay railway station]]
[[Newquay railway station]] is the terminus of the [[Atlantic Coast Line, Cornwall|Atlantic Coast Line]] from [[Par, Cornwall|Par]]. The railway was originally built as a mineral line in the 1840s and ran mainly around the fringes of the built-up area, as it was then, to the harbour. A passenger service followed on 20 June 1876, and from then on the town developed quickly as a resort. The station is close to the beaches on the eastern side of the town centre.

Newquay has daily direct services to and from [[Plymouth]], [[Exeter]] and [[London]] between May and September. It is the only branch line terminus in Britain still served by scheduled intercity trains. Passenger services are currently operated under government contract by [[Great Western Railway (train operating company)|Great Western Railway]], whose owner is [[FirstGroup]].

==== History ====
The goods line which would be acquired later by the [[Cornwall Minerals Railway]] was opened in 1846 from inland mines to the harbour, and was worked by horses. Parts of the old line from the present station to the harbour are still in existence: the most obvious section is a broad footpath from opposite the station in Cliff Road to East Street, known locally as the "tram track", and complete with a very railway-style overbridge. From East Street, the line continued towards the harbour along the present-day Manor Road.

The last trains ran through to Newquay Harbour in about 1924, but general goods traffic continued to reach [[Newquay railway station]] until 1964. The passenger station and its approaches were enlarged more than once, with additional carriage sidings being built at Newquay in the 1930s. The originally wooden viaduct just outside the station, which crosses the Trenance Valley, was rebuilt in 1874 to allow [[locomotive]]s to run over the structure and then again just before [[World War II]] to carry double track, which extended until 1964 for approximately {{convert|1500|m|mi|abbr=on}} to Tolcarn Junction. The line is now single again, but the width of the viaduct is still obvious.

Tolcarn Junction was the point where a second passenger route left the Par line between 1906 and 1963. This branch ran to [[Chacewater]], west of Truro, via [[Perranporth]] and [[St Agnes, Cornwall|St Agnes]], and provided through trains to Truro and [[Falmouth, Cornwall|Falmouth]].

Two of the three former platforms were taken out of use in 1987, but [[Network Rail]] had planned<ref>{{Cite web |title=Network Rail |url=http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/BusinessPlan2007/PDF/Route%2012%20Reading%20to%20Penzance.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080911063232/http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/BusinessPlan2007/PDF/Route%2012%20Reading%20to%20Penzance.pdf |archive-date=11 September 2008 |access-date=16 August 2013 |publisher=Networkrail.co.uk}}]</ref> to restore one of the disused platforms to improve capacity.
[[File:Newquay 43138.jpg|thumb|First Great Western 43138 stands at Newquay railway station]]

==== Mid Cornwall Metro ====
The [[Mid Cornwall Metro]] received provisional approval for government funding worth almost £50{{nbsp}}million on 18 January 2023,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/landmark-levelling-up-fund-to-spark-transformational-change-across-the-uk | title=Landmark Levelling up Fund to spark transformational change across the UK|publisher=Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.railnews.co.uk/news/2023/01/19-50m-of-rail-improvements-in.html|title=£50m of rail improvements in Cornwall approved|publisher=Railnews}}</ref> and the project was approved by Cornwall Council in December 2023, on condition that budgets are kept under control.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/transport-parking-and-streets/sustainable-transport/mid-cornwall-metro// | title=Green light for Mid Cornwall Metro initiative to transform transport links in Cornwall|publisher=Cornwall Council}}</ref>

A second platform was restored at Newquay in early 2025 and there will be other improvements to the terminus as well as upgraded signalling and an additional crossing place (a section of double track) at Tregoss Moor, between St Columb Road and Roche stations. This crossing place, {{convert|400|m|mi|adj=mid|-long}}, was laid during a month-long closure of the line in March 2025. The MCM will provide a clockface hourly service between Newquay, Par, St Austell, Truro and Falmouth Docks.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mid Cornwall Metro |url=https://www.networkrail.co.uk/running-the-railway/our-routes/western/mid-cornwall-metro/ |access-date=16 August 2024 |website=Network Rail |language=en-GB}}</ref>

Work is now under way.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://aecom.com/uk/press-releases/aecom-to-take-mid-cornwall-metro-through-to-detailed-design-stage/ | title=AECOM to take Mid Cornwall Metro through to detailed design stage|publisher=AECOM}}</ref> The frequency of trains to Par had been due to be doubled to hourly in May 2025, but this improvement has been delayed until later in the year. Newquay services are set to be extended to Truro and Falmouth in 2026.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://midcornwallmetro.com/ | title=Mid Cornwall Metro website|publisher=Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership and Mid Cornwall Metro}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.networkrail.co.uk/running-the-railway/our-routes/western/mid-cornwall-metro/ | title=Mid Cornwall Metro|publisher=Network Rail}}</ref>

===Airport===
[[File:Newquay Cornwall airport.jpg|thumb|[[Newquay Airport]]]]
[[Newquay Airport]] provides links to many other parts of the United Kingdom. It is an HM Customs port because it also handles increasing numbers of foreign flights, both scheduled and chartered. Newquay is the principal airport for Cornwall, although there are several minor airfields elsewhere in the county.

Until 2008, Newquay Civil Airport (as it was formerly known) used the runway and other facilities of [[RAF St Mawgan]], but in December 2008 the [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]] handed over most of the site to the recently formed Cornwall Airport Limited. The first stage of the conversion into a fully commercial airport was completed in 2011, although further substantial development is planned.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Cornwall Airport Newquay |url=http://www.newquaycornwallairport.com/about |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131210101936/http://newquaycornwallairport.com/about |archive-date=10 December 2013 |access-date=20 November 2013 |website=Newquay Cornwall Airport}}</ref> The handover, which was due to take place at the end of 2008, was delayed for almost three weeks because of problems in obtaining the essential Civil Aviation Authority licence, which was withheld until further work had been carried out.

The name has changed several times since 2008, and the airport is now marketed as Cornwall Airport Newquay. However, the IATA code is still NQY.

Usage of the airport had been rising sharply until the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020–22. On summer Saturdays in 2018, there were almost 50 arrivals and departures, including flights to Germany and other continental countries.<ref>{{Cite news |title=June sunshine encourages more visitors to Cornwall |work=Cornwall Newquay Airport |url=https://www.cornwallairportnewquay.com/press/press-releases/june-sunshine-encourages-more-visitors-to-cornwall |url-status=dead |access-date=18 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718174802/https://www.cornwallairportnewquay.com/press/press-releases/june-sunshine-encourages-more-visitors-to-cornwall |archive-date=18 July 2018}}</ref>

{{Infobox station
| name               = Newquay Bus Station
| image              = Newquay Bus Station - Go Cornwall 2025 (WA20DVN).JPG
| caption            = Newquay Bus Station
| address            = Manor Road, Newquay, Cornwall, TR7 1JQ
| owned              = [[Transport for Cornwall]]
| bus_routes         = 19
| bus_stands         = 2
| bus_operators      = [[Western Greyhound]] (until 2015) <br />
Go Cornwall Bus <br />
[[Kernow (bus company)]] 
| website            = https://www.visitnewquay.org/visitor-information/newquay-bus-station-p1539193
}}
===Bus===
The bus station is in Manor Road, which runs parallel to the shopping area in Bank Street. A scheme to upgrade and improve the bus station with the additions of a new enclosed waiting area and accessible toilet began in February 2018 and was completed in July. Further changes occurred in April and May 2020, because [[Cornwall Council]] had awarded an eight-year contract to run subsidised services in the county to Go Cornwall, which also operates as [[Plymouth Citybus|Plymouth CityBus]] and is owned by the [[Go-Ahead Group]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=New contract award means new bus routes, more frequent services and greener buses in Cornwall from April 2020 |url=https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/council-news-room/media-releases/news-from-2020/news-from-january-2020/new-contract-award-means-new-bus-routes-more-frequent-services-and-greener-buses-in-cornwall-from-april-2020/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001202641/https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/council-news-room/media-releases/news-from-2020/news-from-january-2020/new-contract-award-means-new-bus-routes-more-frequent-services-and-greener-buses-in-cornwall-from-april-2020/ |archive-date=1 October 2020 |access-date=19 January 2020 |publisher=Cornwall Council}}</ref>

There are regular bus services from Newquay to many parts of Cornwall, including the neighbouring urban centres of [[St Austell]] and Truro as well as [[Padstow]], [[Perranporth]], [[Redruth]], [[St Columb Major]] and [[Wadebridge]]. In addition, there are several local services, including an hourly night bus service on Saturday nights/Sunday mornings to St Columb Major and [[Fraddon]] during the peak summer months. Buses are operated by [[FirstGroup]] and [[Plymouth Citybus|Go Cornwall Bus]] while the town is also served by [[National Express Coaches|National Express]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Newquay Bus Station - Visitor Information |url=https://www.visitnewquay.org/visitor-information/newquay-bus-station-p1539193 |access-date=16 August 2024 |website=www.visitnewquay.org}}</ref>

Go Cornwall operates frequent services in the high summer to and from a [[park and ride]] site by the A392, opposite Hendra Holiday Park.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hop on board - Newquay Park and Ride is back for the summer! - Cornwall Council |url=https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/council-news/transport-streets-and-waste/hop-on-board-newquay-park-and-ride-is-back-for-the-summer/ |access-date=25 July 2023 |website=www.cornwall.gov.uk |archive-date=25 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230725180509/https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/council-news/transport-streets-and-waste/hop-on-board-newquay-park-and-ride-is-back-for-the-summer/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Education==
Newquay has one [[higher education]] campus, Newquay University Centre, which is a member of the Combined Universities in Cornwall Partnership.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cornwall.ac.uk/locations/newquay-university-centre-cornwall-college/|title=Newquay University Centre Cornwall College|website=Cornwall College}}</ref> It offers foundation degree courses in [[Zoological conservation|Zoological Conservation]], [[Marine aquaculture|Marine Aquaculture]], Animal Science and Wildlife Education and Media. Appropriately, the campus is close to [[Newquay Zoo]] in the Trenance Valley. There are also two secondary schools: [[Newquay Tretherras]] is a state-funded [[Academy (English school)|academy]] with specialist [[Technology College]] status, and [[Treviglas Academy]] is a specialist [[Business and Enterprise College]].

A new centre of [[higher education]] for Newquay had been planned alongside the Airport and Spaceport (see Transport) in 2020, to be known as the International Aviation Academy and attached to [[RAF St Mawgan]]. It was hoped to cater for students who wish to gain air- or space-related qualifications.<ref>{{Cite web |title=New Aviation Academy at RAF St Mawgan to train pilots and space travellers of the future |url=https://www.cornwalllive.com/news/business/new-aviation-academy-raf-st-1678772 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718174749/https://www.cornwalllive.com/news/business/new-aviation-academy-raf-st-1678772 |archive-date=18 July 2018 |access-date=17 July 2018 |website=Cornwall Live|date=15 June 2018 }}</ref> The project was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic and no further announcements have been made.

===Second World War===
Among many schools evacuated to Cornwall (notably [[Benenden]] Girls' School), 240 boys and 20 masters of [[Gresham's School]] were evacuated to the town from [[Holt, Norfolk|Holt]], [[Norfolk]], during the [[Second World War]], between June 1940 and March 1944.<ref>Benson, S. G. G. & Evans, Martin Crossley (2002) ''I Will Plant Me a Tree: an Illustrated History of Gresham's School''. London: James & James {{ISBN|0-907383-92-0}}</ref> Gresham's occupied the Bay Hotel and the Pentire Hotel.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Newquay – Way Out West |url=https://www.greshams.com/prep-schools-2/archives/historical-articles/newquay-way-out-west/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180303050310/https://www.greshams.com/prep-schools-2/archives/historical-articles/newquay-way-out-west/ |archive-date=3 March 2018 |access-date=2 March 2018 |website=greshams.com |publisher=Gresham's School}}</ref>

Between 1940 and 1944, the [[Royal Air Force]] used hotels in Newquay as a Ground school for aircrew Initial Training Wings No 7, No 8, and No 40. Recruits were taught basic flying theory and service protocols, and were sorted into their likely future RAF trades, such as Pilots, Observers, Navigators, Wireless operators, and air gunners.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Initial Training Wings/Recruit Centres etc. |url=http://www.rafweb.org/Members%20Pages/Unt%20Histories/Ground%20Training%20Units/ITWs.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180306145114/http://www.rafweb.org/Members%20Pages/Unt%20Histories/Ground%20Training%20Units/ITWs.htm |archive-date=6 March 2018 |access-date=2 March 2018 |website=rafweb.org |publisher=Air of Authority (unofficial website)}}</ref> The training took place in the Highbury Hotel and men were billeted in nearby hotels.<ref>{{Cite web |title=P/O Thomas Forbes |url=http://www.aujs06.dsl.pipex.com/12squadron/html/itw.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170921144606/http://www.aujs06.dsl.pipex.com/12squadron/html/itw.htm |archive-date=21 September 2017 |access-date=21 September 2017 |website=www.aujs06.dsl.pipex.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Robert Jay – Flight Engineer. No.75 (NZ) Squadron – International Bomber Command Centre |url=http://internationalbcc.co.uk/memories/robert-jay-flight-engineer-no-75-nz-squadron/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170921144712/http://internationalbcc.co.uk/memories/robert-jay-flight-engineer-no-75-nz-squadron/ |archive-date=21 September 2017 |access-date=21 September 2017 |website=internationalbcc.co.uk}}</ref>

Several hotels were requisitioned as convalescent hospitals for the Army, Air Force, and Royal Navy. These were the Atlantic Hotel, the Headland Hotel, the Hotel Victoria, the [[Fistral Bay Hotel]] and St Rumons (later renamed the Esplanade).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 July 2005 |title=WW2 People's War - My Wartime Memories |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/stories/96/a4325096.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925063134/http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/stories/96/a4325096.shtml |archive-date=25 September 2015 |access-date=20 October 2016 |publisher=BBC}}</ref>

==Religious sites==
=== Non-conformist ===
[[File:Chapel in Newquay (5943).jpg|thumb|Chapel in Newquay]]
The first Methodist preaching at Newquay was recorded by Richard Treffry in 1802, an innkeeper, Carter, being the host. In 1810, preacher [[William O'Bryan]] came to Newquay and formed the nucleus of the first Methodist society.<ref>{{Cite web |title=DMBI: A Dictionary of Methodism in Britain and Ireland |url=https://dmbi.online/index.php?do=app.entry&id=2086 |access-date=4 October 2023 |website=dmbi.online}}</ref> The society, later known as the [[Bible Christians]] or 'Bryanites', built a chapel in 1851. In 1907, following the amalgamation of the [[Methodist New Connexion]], Bible Christians, and [[United Methodist Free Churches]] into the [[United Methodist Church (Great Britain)|United Methodist Church]], the chapel was renamed the Sydney Road United Methodist Church.The [[Methodist Union]] of 1932 further unified various Methodist denominations, and the chapel became known as the Sydney Road Methodist Chapel.<ref name="MethodismSydney">{{Cite web |date=23 October 2024 |title=Mapping Methodism – Newquay Sydney Road Bible Christian Chapel |url=https://cornishstory.com/2024/10/23/mapping-methodism-newquay-sydney-road-bible-christian-chapel/ |access-date=1 December 2024 |website=Cornish Story |language=en-GB}}</ref> It continued to serve the local congregation until its closure around 1977.<ref name="MethodismSydney" /> Subsequently, the building was demolished, and the site was redeveloped for housing and a car park.<ref name="MethodismSydney" />

The Baptists were the first to have a building. The [[Newquay Baptist Church]], formerly the Ebenezer Baptist Chapel founded in 1822, is one of the oldest religious buildings in Newquay.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kessler |first=Jo Lewis & P. L. |title=Gallery: Churches of Cornwall |url=https://www.historyfiles.co.uk/ChurchesBritain/SouthWest/Cornwall_Restormel51.htm |access-date=1 December 2024 |website=The History Files}}</ref> The worshippers at Ebenezer were Strict and Particular, or [[Reformed Baptists|Calvinistic Baptists]].{{citation needed|date=June 2021}} Before the Baptist chapel was built the [[Reformed Baptists|Strict Baptists]] formed themselves into a community and met for worship in the old malthouse opposite Primrose cottage on Beach Road. They had a regular Sunday supply of preachers from [[Plymouth]], [[Torquay]], and Truro.

The first Methodist chapel was built in 1833, at a cost of £170.<ref name="MethodismCrantock">{{Cite web |date=23 October 2024 |title=Mapping Methodism – Newquay Crantock Street Wesleyan |url=https://cornishstory.com/2024/10/23/mapping-methodism-newquay-crantock-street-wesleyan/ |access-date=1 December 2024 |website=Cornish Story |language=en-GB}}</ref> In 1849, following a division within the Methodist movement, a significant portion of the congregation left to establish the Wesley Hill Chapel in 1852.<ref name="MethodismCrantock"/> The remaining members continued at Crantock Street until 1865, when they moved to the United Methodist Chapel on Marcus Hill, known as Steps Chapel.<ref name="MethodismCrantock" /> Following a visit by General [[Bramwell Booth]] in 1924, the building was taken over by the [[Salvation Army]] in 1926.<ref name="MethodismCrantock" />

The Wesleyan Methodist Church in Newquay, built in 1904, was designed in [[Gothic architecture|Gothic style]] by the architectural firm Bell, Withers, and Meredith.<ref name="HEWesleyan">{{Cite web |title=Wesleyan Methodist Church and Attached Church Hall, Newquay – 1327389 |url=https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1327389?section=official-list-entry |access-date=1 December 2024 |website=historicengland.org.uk |language=en}}</ref> It served the growing Methodist community. Renamed the Newquay [[Wesleyan Church|Wesleyan Methodist]] Chapel after the [[Methodist Union|Methodist Church unification]] in 1932, it closed in 2009 due to declining congregations and was sold to the [[Elim Pentecostal Church]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 October 2024 |title=Mapping Methodism – Newquay East Street Wesleyan Chapel |url=https://cornishstory.com/2024/10/23/mapping-methodism-newquay-east-street-wesleyan-chapel/?utm_source=chatgpt.com |access-date=1 December 2024 |website=Cornish Story |language=en-GB}}</ref> The [[Listed building|Grade II listed]] building remains a key historical landmark.<ref name="HEWesleyan"/>

==== Roman Catholic ====
The [[Roman Catholic church|Roman Catholic Church]] of the [[Trinity|Holy Trinity]] is earlier, having been built in 1903. Until 1985, it was dependent on monks from [[Bodmin]] but then became part of the [[Diocese of Plymouth]].<ref name="GENUKI">{{Cite web |last=GENUKI |title=Genuki: Newquay, Cornwall |url=https://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/CON/Newquay |access-date=7 May 2021 |website=www.genuki.org.uk |language=en}}</ref>

=== Parish Church ===
[[File:The Parish Church of St Michael the Archangel, Newquay - geograph.org.uk - 1252198.jpg|thumb|The Parish Church of St Michael the Archangel, Newquay]]
The first [[Anglicanism|Anglican]] [[chapel]] was built in Newquay in 1858, as a [[chapel of ease]], in a fine Cornish Perpendicular style; it was known as St Michael's due to the dedication of a side chapel. The parish itself was created in 1882 from part of [[St Columba's Church, St Columb Minor|St Columb Minor parish]]. By 1896, St Michael's Church had been twice enlarged, a north and a south aisle being added, and its capacity increased to 500. By the turn of the 19th century, however, it was quite inadequate to hold the summer congregation. The cramped and inconvenient site meant that no further enlargement of the chapel was possible, and it seemed inevitable that a new church would have to be built on a different site.<ref name="GENUKI" /> The present church, the [[Newquay Parish Church of St Michael the Archangel]] is dedicated to [[Michael (archangel)|St. Michael the Archangel]], was originally designed by [[Ninian Comper]] and built in 1910{{ndash}}1911, but the tower not completed until the 1960s.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Gallery: Churches of Cornwall|url=https://www.historyfiles.co.uk/ChurchesBritain/SouthWest/Cornwall_Restormel35.htm|access-date=7 May 2021|website=www.historyfiles.co.uk}}</ref> [[Arthur Mee]], in his ''Cornwall'' volume of the [[King's England]] series, describes the perpetual light maintained in the church as a memorial to the men of Newquay who died in the First World War. The stained glass windows and rood screen are also described: the main themes are St Michael, the three other archangels, and [[Jesus|Jesus Christ]] and Mary the [[Blessed Virgin]].<ref>Mee, A. (1937) ''Cornwall''. London: Hodder and Stoughton; pp. 156-57</ref> The St Michael, chapel-of-ease continued to serve the people of Newquay until 1911 when the chapel was sold to the Women's Institute which owned it for a number of years until it was sold again to [[F. W. Woolworth Company|FW Woolworth]] for a new store. The chapel was demolished in 1937.<ref>{{Cite web|last=www.srstudio.co.uk|first=SRStudio Design-|title=Crantock Street Newquay {{!}} Discover Cornwall|url=http://cornwallmaps.org/cms/newquay/discover-newquay/discover-newquay-trail/crantock-street-newquay/|access-date=7 May 2021|language=en-GB|archive-date=7 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507113953/http://cornwallmaps.org/cms/newquay/discover-newquay/discover-newquay-trail/crantock-street-newquay/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Public Services== 
===Emergency services===
[[File:Newquay lifeboat house 2009.jpg|thumb|Newquay Lifeboat Station]]
[[Devon and Cornwall Constabulary]] maintains a substantial police station in Tolcarne Road. The modern fire station in Tregunnel Hill is run by [[Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service]], and is the home of one of the two aerial ladder platforms based in Cornwall. The fire station has 24-hour cover during the summer and is day-staffed in the winter. A separate specialist fire service is maintained at [[Newquay Airport]].

Ambulance cover is provided by the [[South Western Ambulance Service]] NHS Trust from an Ambulance Station in St Thomas Road. [[Cornwall Air Ambulance]] is also based just outside the town, alongside the airport. In addition, the airport at Newquay is one of ten UK bases for the Search and Rescue service, which is run by [[Bristow Helicopters]] on behalf of [[HM Coastguard]].

The [[Royal National Lifeboat Institution]]'s [[Newquay Lifeboat Station]] is at the harbour.<ref>{{cite book| title = Cornwall's Lifeboat Heritage | last = Leach| first = Nicholas| publisher = Twelveheads Press| page= 46 |edition=2nd | date = 2006}}</ref> There is also a coastguard rescue team based at Treloggan Industrial Park.

=== Newquay Community Hospital ===
[[Newquay Hospital]] was opened in 1931 at the end of St Thomas Road. It is a community hospital catering for both in- and [[outpatients]], with a number of clinics and a minor injuries unit. Cornwall's only general hospital and full [[A&e department|accident and emergency department]] is in Truro.

Proposals in recent years for the Newquay Growth Area, east of the present town, have included a new and larger hospital.

==Sport and leisure==
Newquay has one [[Non-League football|non-league association football]] club - [[Newquay A.F.C.]] play at the Mount Wise Stadium. [[Godolphin Atlantic F.C.]] used to play on Godolphin Way until the club was dissolved in January 2023.

Newquay Hornets rugby football club play at Newquay Sports Centre.

Newquay has a four-team cricket club, also based at the sports centre. Their 1st XI compete in Cornwall's County One, winning the ECB Cornwall Premier League in 2003. Newquay's academy has produced four full-Cornwall players{{cn|date=July 2025}} — Rob Harrison, Neil Ivamy, Joe Crane and Adam Cocking, in addition to numerous County youth representatives. There are several youth teams, ranging from Under 9 to Under 19.

Newquay plays host to the Newquay Road Runners, who are again based at the sports centre.<ref>{{cite web |title=About Us |url=https://www.newquayroadrunners.co.uk/about-us |website=Newquay Road Runners |access-date=26 October 2023}}</ref>

Newquay has been a centre for [[Cornish wrestling]] in the past. Venues for tournaments have included the New Hotel Meadow,<ref name="RCG25071912">Royal Cornwall Gazette, 25 July 1912.</ref> Mount Wise recreation ground,<ref name="CG12081948">Cornish Guardian, 12 August 1948.</ref> the Red Lion Field<ref name="CG14091906">Cornish Guardian, 14 September 1906.</ref> and the Tower Meadow on Tower Road.<ref name="CG02081912">Cornish Guardian, 2 August 1912.</ref> The Interceltic games were hosted by Newquay in 1936,<ref name="CPMN08081936">Cornish Post and Mining News, 8 August 1936.</ref> 1948,<ref name="WBCA19081948">West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser, 19 August 1948.</ref> 1951,<ref name="WBCA09081951">West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser, 9 August 1951.</ref> 1965<ref name="CG26081965">Cornish Guardian, 26 August 1965.</ref> and 1975.<ref name="M Tripp Thesis">Tripp, Michael: ''Persistence of Difference: A History of Cornish Wrestling'', University of Exeter as a thesis for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy 2009, Vol. I, p. 2-217.</ref>

===Surfing===
[[File:BoardmastersFistralPre2010.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|Fistral Beach showing the beach bar setup ready for the 2010 [[Boardmasters Festival]]]]
Newquay is widely regarded as the surf capital of the UK,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Local Area |url=http://www.newquaytowncouncilcornwall.co.uk/local/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100301043648/http://www.newquaytowncouncilcornwall.co.uk/local/ |archive-date=1 March 2010 |access-date=16 August 2013 |publisher=Newquaytowncouncilcornwall.co.uk }}</ref> and is therefore also a centre for the surf industry in Britain.<ref>''The Surfing Tribe'' - a History of Surfing in Britain by Roger Mansfield (chapter 3) {{ISBN|0-9523646-5-4}}</ref> There are many surf stores, board manufacturers and hire shops in the town.

At the centre of Newquay's surfing status is [[Fistral Beach]] which has a reputation as one of the best beach [[Surf break|breaks]] in Cornwall. Fistral is capable of producing powerful, hollow waves and holding a good sized swell.

Fistral Beach has been host to international surfing competitions for around 20 years now. The annual [[Boardmasters Festival]] takes place at Fistral beach, with a music festival taking place at [[Watergate Bay]].

Newquay is also home to the reef known as the [[Cribbar]]. With waves breaking at up to {{convert|20|ft|m|0}}, the Cribbar was until recently rarely surfed as it requires no wind and huge swell to break. It was first surfed in September 1965 by Rodney Sumpter, Bob Head and Jack Lydgate and again in 1966, by Pete Russell, [[Ric Friar]] and Johnny McElroy and American Jack Lydgate.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Surfing The Cribbar Newquay, Cornwall |url=http://www.rogermansfield.com/cribbar.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091202201720/http://www.rogermansfield.com/cribbar.html |archive-date=2 December 2009 |access-date=1 July 2010}}</ref> The recent{{when|date=August 2018}} explosion in interest in surfing large waves has seen it surfed more frequently by South African born [[Chris Bertish]], who during a succession of huge clean swells in 2004, surfed the biggest wave ever seen there.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fistral Beach - North Cornish Coast, Cornwall Beaches |url=http://www.cornwall-beaches.co.uk/Fistral-beach.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121211124502/http://www.cornwall-beaches.co.uk/Fistral-beach.htm |archive-date=11 December 2012 |access-date=16 August 2013 |publisher=Cornwall-beaches.co.uk }}</ref>

Towan, Great Western and Tolcarne beaches nearer the town and nearby [[Crantock]] and Watergate Bay also provide high quality breaks.

In 2011, an artificial reef was proposed in Newquay to increase the swell and frequency of waves for surfers. However, it lost council support after local rowing clubs and fishermen protested against it.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Morris |first=Steven |date=6 June 2005 |title=Surf's not up for Newquay as reef plan flops |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2005/jun/06/localgovernment.travelnews |access-date=28 April 2024 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> {{wide image|Newquay panorama from Tolcarne Beach.jpg|1280px|Newquay, harbour, Atlantic Hotel and headland from Tolcarne Beach}}

==Notable people==
{{more citations needed|section|date=May 2015}}
:''See [[:Category:People from Newquay]]''

* [[William Golding]], novelist, author of ''[[Lord of the Flies]]'', winner of [[1983 Nobel Prize in Literature]], was born in Newquay
* [[Alexander Lodge]] (1881–1938) was an [[England|English]] inventor who did early work and held some [[patent]]s on the [[spark plug]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 May 2007 |title=Little know facts about Newquay |url=http://www.newquay.oldcornwall.org.uk/misc/curios.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070510123038/http://www.newquay.oldcornwall.org.uk/misc/curios.shtml |archive-date=10 May 2007}}</ref>
* [[Ruarri Joseph]], singer-songwriter, lives in the Newquay area
* [[Richard Long, 4th Viscount Long]], lived at The Island, a house on a rock linked to the mainland by a private suspension bridge{{citation needed|date=June 2020}}
* [[Chris Morris (footballer)|Chris Morris]], a former [[Sheffield Wednesday F.C.|Sheffield Wednesday]] and [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]] footballer, was born in Newquay
* [[James Morrison (singer)|James Morrison]], singer-songwriter, grew up in the Newquay area: he attended [[Treviglas College]]
* [[Phillip Schofield]], television presenter, attended [[Newquay Tretherras School]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Phillip Schofield Online |url=http://www.schofieldfans.co.uk/about.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120723191502/http://www.schofieldfans.co.uk/about.php/ |archive-date=23 July 2012 |access-date=16 August 2013 |publisher=Schofieldfans.co.uk}}</ref>
* [[John Coulson Tregarthen]], naturalist and novelist, lived in Newquay
* [[Sir David Willcocks]] the choral conductor, organist and composer was born here in 1919
* [[Charlotte Mary Matheson]], novelist, lived at Porth Veor
* [[Katie Robinson]], footballer for the [[England women's national football team|England national team]]

==Twinning==
Newquay is [[Twin towns and sister cities|twinned]] with [[Dinard]] in [[Brittany]], France.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Guardian |first=Cornish |date=8 February 2012 |title=Scrap Twinning Link Says Ex Mayor |work=[[Cornish Guardian]] |url=http://www.cornishguardian.co.uk/scrap-twinning-link-says-ex-mayor/story-15166353-detail/story.html |access-date=9 August 2016}}{{Dead link|date=August 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

==Filmography==
* The [[Headland Hotel]], next to Fistral Beach, has been used in several films, including ''Wild Things'' (1988)<ref>{{cite web |title=Wild Things (1988) |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0309071/ |website=IMDB |access-date=17 November 2020}}</ref> and ''[[The Witches (1990 film)|The Witches]]'' (1990).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Most Popular Titles With Location Matching "Headland Hotel, Newquay, Cornwall, England, UK" |url=https://www.imdb.com/search/title?locations=Headland%20Hotel,%20Newquay,%20Cornwall,%20England,%20UK |access-date=20 November 2013 |website=IMDb}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Duncan |first=Fiona |date=9 August 2016 |title=The Headland Hotel Review |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/england/cornwall/newquay/hotels/the-headland-hotel/ |url-status=live |access-date=9 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160708205049/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/england/cornwall/newquay/hotels/the-headland-hotel/ |archive-date=8 July 2016 |via=telegraph.co.uk}}</ref>
* [[The Beatles]] filmed part of the ''[[Magical Mystery Tour (film)|Magical Mystery Tour]]'' film in Newquay. Scenes were filmed at the [[Atlantic Hotel, Newquay|Atlantic Hotel]] and Towan Beach.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Beatles, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and George Harrison, Photo stock Archive by Chris Walter |url=http://www.photofeatures.com/beatles/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130801115831/http://www.photofeatures.com/beatles/index.html |archive-date=1 August 2013 |access-date=16 August 2013 |publisher=Photofeatures.com}}</ref>
* Some of the scenes in ''[[Blue Juice]]'' (1995) were filmed in Newquay.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Film and TV Locations in Cornwall |url=https://www.intocornwall.com/features/film-and-tv-locations-in-cornwall.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201030801/https://www.intocornwall.com/features/film-and-tv-locations-in-cornwall.asp |archive-date=1 December 2017 |access-date=23 November 2017 |publisher=IntoCornwall}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Cornwall}}
* [[List of topics related to Cornwall]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Newquay}}
{{Wikivoyage|Newquay}}
{{EB1911 poster|Newquay}}
* [https://www.newquay.gov.uk Newquay Town Council]
* [http://www.visitnewquay.org The Official Newquay Tourism website]

{{Cornwall}}
{{St Austell and Newquay CP navigation box}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Newquay| ]]
[[Category:Towns in Cornwall]]
[[Category:Cornish Killas]]
[[Category:Seaside resorts in Cornwall]]
[[Category:Fishing communities in England]]
[[Category:Populated coastal places in Cornwall]]