The official tourism blog for Newquay, Cornwall

Programme for Cornwall Film Festival Announced

2011-10-04T07:42:00.000-07:00

It's a huge list and lots of hours of viewing for the Cornwall Film Festival which for the first time is being held in Newquay on the 4th -6th November. Think back a year and Newquay wouldn't have been able to hold such an important festival, the Lighthouse Cinemas was still being built. Now just a few months from opening and with support from Newquay Town Council and Newquay BID, Newquay has a new cultural event to be proud of.

If you own a business in the town or would like to get involved in volunteering to help during the Festival contact the Festival Director Donna Anton. For businesses there are still sponsorship opportunities - it really is the chance to get your name in lights!!

Full details of the programme here

Newquays "Sizzling September" of Events

2011-08-24T08:47:00.000-07:00

Looking at the September events Calendar I cannot believe what a fantastic line up Newquay has - I've picked up the September ones as a listing here for you - why not a late summer or autumn trip to enjoy whats on?

British Surf Film Festival

2011-08-24T03:44:00.000-07:00

It seems it's Film Festivals all the way in Newquay this Autumn starting with the British Surf Film Festival on the 22nd and 23rd of September not the 24th and 25th as previously thought. The Festival is based at Newquays new state of the art digital cinema -the Lighthouse and is being put on in assoication with the Cornwall Film Festival Board Shorts at Lusty Glaze on Saturday the 24th.

It's great everyone is working together and in November Newquay hosts the Cornwall Film Festival - again at the Lighthouse Cinema on the 4th - 6th of November.

The festivals are about creativity and local film makers are being encouraged to take part - a member of the Tourist Information Centre Staff - Mark Godsell has already submitted a short animation for the main festival and other film makers are encouraged to follow suit.

Both Festivals have prizes and awards but for a great film opportunity take a look at whats on offer at the Brisish Surf Film Festival Homegrown Film Competition. - get filming - get to Newquay soon!!

Polo on the Beach

2011-08-16T09:10:00.000-07:00

The award-winning Veuve Clicquot Polo on the Beach returns to Watergate Bay for the fifth year on September 6th 2011, with the promise of speed, excitement and some of the country's top professional polo players.

Over the past four years Polo on the Beach has built a reputation both in Cornwall and the polo world as one of the highlights of the autumn events calendar. With many of the UK's top polo players queuing up to play, this year's match on Tuesday 6th September is set to be the most exciting yet.

Six professional polo players, one umpire and nearly 30 horses will take to the sands to play four fast-paced chukkas (periods of play lasting six and a half minutes) in a small arena measuring 100m by 50m. The two teams, sponsored by Joules and First Great Western, will compete for the Watergate Bay Trophy.

Veuve Clicquot Polo on the beach is completely free to attend. The match starts at 6.30pm, and to help spectators soak up the atmosphere ahead of the game, the Veuve Clicquot champagne bar and The Beach Hut barbeque will be open on the beach from 3pm.

Here's a way to make your money go further in Newquay

2011-08-04T08:58:00.001-07:00

Go to the Tourist Information Centre.
Ask for a Newquay 1st Discount Card - they're free and available now.
Check out the Discounts Newquay First Discounts or go to Facebook

Newquay screens The British Surf Film Festival 2011

2011-08-04T08:37:00.000-07:00

Great news that Newquay - Surf Capital of the UK has been chosen as the 2011 location for the premier showcase for surf film and lifestyle in the UK, the British Surf Film Festival.

The festival - on the weekend of the 24th September 2011 will combine an iconic mix of old classics and contemporary masterpieces alongside independent films and photography taking you on a journey through surfing’s heritage at Lusty Glaze Beach a real surf and sand destination.

In a genuine invitation to Surf filmmakers from across Cornwall and the rest of the UK there's a chance to win "Official Videographer" post to a Newquay based Surf Company as well as £500 cash and a holiday by entering the Homegrown Board Shorts Surf Film Competition. The competition is being held in association with the Cornwall Film Festival which will also be held in Newquay this year on the 4th to 6th of November. There's an HD Bullet camera sponsored by Dogcam up for grabs in the "Rising Star" film talent competition. Entries need to be in by Thursday, 1 September. The screening panel will comprise credible individuals within the surf, art, and film communities.

“The event aims to celebrate the cultural aspect of Surfing and we believe we’ve got the perfect combination of films, photography and live music to do just that”, said Carla Lamb, Festival Organiser. “Attracting surfers, film lovers and makers alike we hope to position the British Surf Film Festival in the hearts and minds of the surfing community.”

It sounds like a another great weekend for Newquay, a surfing gallery will be open to the public for the duration of the event and will showcase entries into the Homegrown photography competition, for which submissions are now being taken.In between screenings, there will be Q&A sessions with filmmakers and notable surfers, discussions and meet-and-greets with surfing’s elite. On Saturday, 24 September, the Cornwall Film Festival’s Board Shorts party will kick into high gear at Lusty Glaze beach with a live musical gig and a second screening of all the short-film entries right on the sand.

Keep up with events on http://www.visitnewquay.org/ - the BSFF website goes live on 1 August at www.britishsurffilmfestival.com.

For regular updates follow facebook.com/britishsurffilmfestival or twitter.com/britishsurffi

Newquay - location of choice for surf events!

2011-07-27T05:00:00.000-07:00

Newquay will play host to both the European King of the Groms final and the 4* ASP Quiksilver Pro Junior event – the last in the series of 4 European stops this Augut Bank Holiday weekend 25th -29th August.

Fistral beach will be the place to head for international surfing, music and other activities throughout the long weekend. The event kicks off on Thursday morning, with the King of the Grom’s European final – the famous annual series run by Quiksilver. The King of the Groms contests are held all over the world in order to find the best under-16 surfers, who will compete at the international final during the Quiksilver Pro France in October. The European final brings together the top surfers from each stop in Europe to compete on Fistral beach for the European title and recognition as the hottest new talent. The winner will be crowned on Friday with the top two surfers walking away with an invite to the international final.

The Quiksilver Pro Junior then gets underway on Saturday 27th August. Over 96 of the world’s best junior surfers will descend on Fistral beach to compete for the title and the $20k prize money. The outcome of this event will crown the junior European champion.

Alongside these two big surf events spectators will be treated to a whole line up of music over the weekend including bands and DJ’s from all over the UK. Already confirmed are local talents ‘Auction for the Promise Club’ and ‘The Last Gentlemen’. More acts will be confirmed over the next few weeks. Also SAS will be around promoting their latest campaigns. Keep up to date with exclusive event content on the Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Quiksilver-Pro-Junior-4-King-of-the-groms-European-final/152637418142270

Don't forget the Quiksilver Pro Junior 4* ASP and King of the Groms European Final

Date: 25th-29th August 2011 Fistral Beach, Newquay

New Newquay Video

2011-07-21T09:23:00.000-07:00

No sure if you have seen this or not but there is a new video of Newquay at www.reeffilmproduction.co.uk/positive-newquay.htm

Winter in Newquay

2009-11-13T07:02:00.000-08:00

My perfect lazy winter Saturday morning usually consists of wrapping up and taking a long walk along the beach followed by warming up with a mug of hot chocolate.

Fortunately, Newquay has spectacular beaches in abundance and come winter or summer, the town remains a hive of activity, with things to do, people to watch and attractions to visit.

As Christmas nears ever closer, this year Newquay’s events diary looks set to be bigger and better than ever. The town has just launched the12 Day’s campaign, a celebration of all things festive taking place in the town during November and December.

After the lights get officially switched on by Cornish girl band, Eden, on November 27, a packed schedule follows. From charity fairs and a carol service at Newquay Zoo through to a family fun day at The Headland Hotel and a live music trail, it’s great there is something for everyone in the family.

A highlight, and one event I’m particularly looking to, is the Food and Arts Fair taking place on Saturday 19 - Sunday 20 December. The event will bring together some fantastic local food producers and Newquay chefs and should really be a feast for the senses just in time for Christmas.

Check out http://www.visitnewquay.org/do-newquay/12-days.php for details of everything going on in Newquay throughout November and December.

Susan Deakin, Newquay Tourist Information Centre

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Exciting times at Newquay Zoo

2009-10-29T07:52:00.000-07:00

Hi, John Meek here, and I am Animal Collections Manager at Newquay Zoo.

Wow! It has been an extremely exciting time for us here at Newquay Zoo - our biggest news is the arrival of Charlie the new male African Lion. He is magnificent! He has joined us from Longleat to spend his well earned retirement here with his sister Connie, who is loving having her younger brother around again. Last week she was rolling around in front of him like a playful kitten!

We have had two new exhibits open this year - African Savannah and Phillipine Species. The African Savannah is particularly popular, as you can view Black Wildebeest, Nyala Antelope, Ostrich and Zebra roaming their enclosure from a birds eye viewing platform. The Phillippine Spotted deer and the rare Visayan Warty Pig are highly endangered species which will form a new part of our successful breeding programme.

The Visayan Warty pigs in particular are so friendly and inquisitive, and we have had a webcam set up so you can see what they are up to even from home.

The amazing Osiligi Maasai Warriors are coming to the zoo on Friday 30th October which we are all really excited about – they will be performing traditional dances, songs and stories from Kenya throughout the day. Everybody here is also really excited about Halloween –and we have some great festivities planned for our Halloween MONSTER bash – a fancy dress competition, trick or treat tales and a chance to meet our crazy creepy crawlies and play ghoulish games.

We hope to see you there!

John

For more information please call 01637 873342 or visit the official website at www.newquayzoo.org.uk

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The Blog!

2009-10-29T07:42:00.000-07:00

We’ve relaunched the official Newquay blog! Over the coming weeks you can keep up to date with all that’s going on in Newquay first hand from people living, working and visiting the town.

From a behind the scenes look at what’s going on at Newquay Zoo and the Blue Reef Aquarium, insider tips on what to see and do around Newquay through to tips on staying safe on the beach, the blog will be regularly updated to keep you informed with all that’s going on.

Better events for Newquay???

2009-01-27T11:20:00.000-08:00

Are the range of events in Newquay good enough or are they aimed too much for the under 25 year old market? What do people think? What about families, older couples, are the Newquay events good enough for you, I WANNA KNOW!

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Best Newquay videos

2009-01-27T11:18:00.000-08:00

What are the best Newquay videos out there? Any that are memorable and you'd like to share with the rest of the world let us know!

Top 5 off the beaten track things....

2008-11-27T05:45:00.000-08:00

Newquay has a number of good attractions...number 1 of course being the coastline! But also Dairyland, Blue Reef Aquarium, Newquay Zoo and so on. Earlier in the summer (on one of the rarer sunny days!)someone recommended spending a day out at Polly Joke which was amazing. Its a tiny little cove just around the corner from Crantock and you have to walk a bit to it but you normally get the beach to yourself. We had a picnic, bottle of wine and it turned out to be a memorable day.

So what other great, off the beaten track type things do people recommend around Newquay?

Top 5 Surf breaks in Newquay

2008-10-20T09:09:00.000-07:00

Someone mentioned in passing that Little Fistral when working was a real cracker of a break. Anyone else agree? So I'm curious to know what people think are the top 5 breaks in and around Newquay and what their experiences have been of them?

Newquay holidays - still as good as ever?

2008-10-20T09:06:00.001-07:00

I hadn't been to Newquay for years, not since I was a child as we used to holiday in Crantock, a lovely little village 2 miles from Newquay with a beautiful beach and estuary called the Gannel. Having visited recently I was suprised at how much it is changing and for the better - more shops, better cafes and restaurants. Sure there's some building work going on but its good to see development that will ultimately improve the offering isn't it?

What do other Newquay holidaymakers think? Do you still enjoy it as always? And what about families? The offering better now?