Name 10 British beaches. We bet one of them was Fistral Beach Newquay, right? One of the most famous beaches in the country, this stretch of sand and its crashing waves are the stuff of legend for surfers up and down our golden isle.
Fistral, on the doorstep of Newquay, is an internationally celebrated surfing destination due to the big waves out there in the sea and the bars, restaurants and facilities for all the family back on land. The high cliffs and sand dunes that serve as a backdrop to the beach – not to mention the imposing splendour of the Headland Hotel atop the nearby cliffs – make for an impressive sight and there’s plenty of space for anyone who wants a relaxing afternoon under the sun or an exhilarating experience on a surfboard out in the deep blue.
The feisty Fistral Beach Newquay is famous for its various surfing championships that are held in its waters throughout the year, however they are usually for the pros. Fistral is actually ideal for beginners too, particularly because there are a few surf schools around to help nurture first-time talents and plenty of places to hire gear from. The waves reach heights of between six and eight feet but don’t worry: there is lifeguard cover on the beach throughout the summer and then some.
Also be sure to visit the International Surfing Centre at Fistral, which was built in 2003 and is home to an array of businesses like restaurants, gift shops, clothing stores and surfboard hire companies. And then it’s out into the ocean for a day of crazy breakers, rollers and surfing tricks before you wipeout back on land and hit all those fab bars, clubs and restaurants. It’s all part of the Fistral experience.