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Offered languages
- English
- English
Cornwall’s north coast has always been shaped by its relationship with the Atlantic. On this self-guided coastal audio tour, you’ll discover how Newquay became Cornwall’s premier surfing destination – and how it still maintains deep connections to its ancient past. You’ll explore cliff-top paths where Bronze Age settlers once traded tin across Europe, and learn how smugglers, saints, and surfers have all left their mark on these golden shores. You’ll learn how Celtic saints arrived by boat in the 5th century, bringing Christianity to these pagan shores, and how pilchards once fueled Cornwall’s economy before modern fishing practices changed everything. You’ll also find out how local fishermen once resisted the hotel’s construction, even pushing the foreman’s hut into the Atlantic during its controversial beginnings. The tour ends at the Barrowfields, ancient burial mounds dating back over 3,000 years, where Bronze Age traders once gazed out at the same ocean you’ll be admiring.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Tour begins at the Fistral Beach. Before arrival, please install the mobile app and use the code provided on your confirmation ticket. Detailed starting point instructions are available after downloading.
The Barrowfields
Itinerary
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(Pass by)
Walk onto one of Europe's most famous surfing beaches, where powerful Atlantic swells can reach 30 feet when the legendary Cribbar reef is firing. Experience the energy of Newquay's premier surf spot, where international competitions draw the world's best wave riders.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Stroll along England's longest marked coastal trail, following dramatic clifftop routes carved by centuries of coastal traders and smugglers. Explore ancient pathways that wind past hidden coves and rocky headlands, offering stunning ocean views at every turn.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Discover this wilder, more secluded cove tucked beside its famous neighbour, where rugged cliffs shelter golden sands from the crowds. Enjoy a quieter Atlantic experience where locals still gather to catch waves away from the main beach bustle.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Visit the working harbour that gave the town its name when permission to build a "new quay" was granted in 1439. Explore the historic waterfront where fishing boats still land their catches, connecting Newquay to its maritime heritage.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Marvel at the unique Island House, accessed by the UK's only privately-owned suspension bridge spanning a dramatic coastal gorge. Walk across this Victorian engineering feat that connects the mainland to a house perched on its own rocky island.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Explore the weathered stone lookout where 19th-century watchmen once shouted "Hevva!" to alert fishermen when massive pilchard shoals appeared offshore. Stand where generations of huers scanned the Atlantic, their warnings once determining the town's entire economy.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Pass the historic cellars where Cornish women once packed thousands of pilchard barrels destined for Mediterranean markets. Discover how these underground storage rooms powered Newquay's fishing industry before modern practices changed everything.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Walk among ancient Bronze Age burial mounds dating back over 3,000 years, where prehistoric traders once gazed at the same Atlantic horizon. Explore these sacred earthworks that connect you to Cornwall's earliest coastal settlers.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Marvel at the grand Victorian hotel perched dramatically on Fistral headland, made famous as the filming location for Roald Dahl's The Witches in 1990. Discover how local fishermen once resisted its construction by pushing the foreman's hut into the sea.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Stroll down Newquay's oldest working thoroughfare, which has evolved from a narrow fishing artery into a bustling tourist hotspot. Walk the same street that generations of fishermen, smugglers, and traders once used to move goods from harbour to town.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Follow the remains of Treffry's industrial tramway that once connected Cornwall's inland mines to the harbour below. Explore the engineered route where horses once pulled wagons loaded with copper and tin destined for global markets.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Pass this popular sandy cove where local legends tell tales of mermaids spotted among the waves and rocks. Enjoy the sheltered beach that draws families and swimmers seeking calmer waters than neighbouring Fistral.
Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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