Watergate Bay events and things to do in Cornwall
A selection of our favourite places to visit and events coming up at Watergate Bay and in Cornwall.
View our events calendar for the full list - Events
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Things to do in Cornwall this summer
The Tide Climbing Centre
The Tide Climbing Centre are offering our guests 10% off a taster session using code Taster10. A short drive from the hotel. Large areas are dedicated to bouldering. Ideal rainy-day option and suitable for little ones too.
Escape from Treasure Island at Maritime Museum
22 July - 1 September. Join the heroes as they race to solve the clues, find the treasure and defeat the baddies.
Jungle Giants at Heligan
20 July - 1 September. Set off on a hunt for the giants within nature, and explore our Jungle, discovering its extraordinary inhabitants.
Summer at Eden: Wildlife
27 July - 8 September. Take a deep dive into the natural world and discover how wild you really are. Family trails and nature play, puppet shows and interactive exhibitions.
Squashbox Theatre at Trebah Gardens
Dates through August. Squashbox Theatre is bringing a range of family fun shows to Trabah Gardens this summer, including Tales from the Trees, Wonderful World, Sea Show and more.
Events in the Bay
There's a full programme of events taking place in the Bay.
Wildlife Walks and Rockpool Rambles
Various dates throughout the year - Experience Newquay's nature with a guided wildlife walk or...
Watergate Bay beach bowl
The annual beach bowl returns, a weekend of Beach Flag American Football, encouraging local teams...
Beach Hut takeover with Birra Moretti
Birra Moretti are taking over The Beach Hut for two weeks only, offering an Italian-inspired...
The King and Queen of the Bay: Beach Volleyball championships
Who will be crowned the King and Queen of the Bay? Some of the best...
Beach clean
At 1pm. Help clean Watergate Bay and protect our oceans with Newquay Beach Care.
Artist in residence: Dreya Bennett
We’re welcoming Dreya Bennett and her glass fusing skills to the Bay for our next...
Discover more
Activities
Rain or shine, take place in these indoor and outdoor activities nearby to Watergate Bay.
Rockpool Ramble
Discover what lies beneath our rockpools with Newquay Wild Activities.
Powerboat tours
Take a boat safari from Padstow harbour with Wavehunters. Boat tours and sea safaris exploring hidden coves, private charter also available.
Cycle trails
Woodlands and coast paths, traffic-free cycle routes all within a 30-minute drive.
Surfing lessons
Explore surfing lessons, equipment hire and book a session with Wavehunters surf school right on the beach.
Walks
Discover beach, coast path and woodland walks near Watergate Bay and further afield.
Swimming pools
Seek out tidal pools, sheltered bays, and geothermal pools.
The Wildlife Walk
Experience Newquay's nature with a guided walk.
Boat trips with Wavehunters
Cultural and Cornish attractions
Hall for Cornwall
Hall for Cornwall is back with a line-up full of comedy, music, theatre, screenings and entertainment all year round.
National Lobster Hatchery, Padstow
Learn all about lobsters and the conservation work that goes into ensuring the sustainability of the wild lobster population in our seas.
Cornish Seal Sanctuary
Say hello to an array of rescued marine animals, enjoy woodland walks and learn the amazing rescue stories of the wonderful characters that live at the Sanctuary.
Bodmin Jail
Built in 1779, you can now dig into the jail's history yourself, literally. With immersive experiences, a “Dark Walk” grimy cells, and chilling last moments
Tate St Ives
Tate St Ives have a couple of limited exhibitions. The Barbara Hepworth Museum, the Bernard Leach Pottery & Museum and many other art galleries are also dotted around this bustling small town.
National Maritime Museum
Local, national and international stories are told through rare objects around the world, a delve into the history of our seafaring heritage with limited exhibtions.
Camel Valley Vineyard Tour
Take a tour of the Camel Valley Vineyard or a seat on the terrace and soak up the view of the rolling hills. Camel Valley produces some of the best English sparkling wine, consistently winning awards for their Pinot Noir Rose Brut.
Tarquins Gin Distillery Tours
At the Southwestern Distillery, Tarquin and his team distil his famous gin overlooking the wild Cornish coast.
The Minack Theatre
An incredible theatre perched on the cliff edge near the tip of Cornwall. Visit for the day or buy tickets for a production.
Lost, botanical and historic gardens
Eden Project
Near St Austell, a 30-minute drive Explore the Rainforest and Mediterranean Biomes, hidden gems in the outdoor gardens, iconic sculptures, England’s longest zipwire, ice skating rink and limited exhibitions. Timed ticket entries, booking ahead essential.
Lost Gardens of Heligan
45-minute drive. A garden frozen in time, forgotten since the outbreak of WW1, and re-awakened in 1990. The history, scale, wildlife, woodland, and jungle rope bridge suspended 100 feet above ancient ferns, are waiting.
Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens
1-hour drive. A sheltered valley with a coastal backdrop of St Michael's Mount, with changing exhibitions. Permanent sculptures are interwoven with exotic planting making a dramatic and tranquil place to explore.
Trebah Gardens and the Helford River
Discover a 26-acre sub-tropical garden, located above the Helford River and with a coastal backdrop. Four miles of footpath weave through exotic plants to a private secluded beach, just at the mouth of the Helford River.
Historic landmarks, houses and islands
St Michael's Mount
A tidal island, 500 metres from the mainland, linked by a causeway that is passable between mid-tide and low water. Take a picnic, grab a bite from the takeout café menu, and breathe in the views.
Bedruthan Steps
Experience the natural wonder of Bedruthan Steps, dramatic views and sea stacks towering high above the beach.
Lanhydrock
Country house estate, ancient woodland, extensive gardens, and riverside paths. Off-road cycle trails for all abilities and bike hire available.
Trerice
20 minute drive, an Elizabethan manor house and gardens.
Discover more
Heading north
Watergate Bay’s far north end promises rich rewards for those who make the mile trek.
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