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Newquay Days Out Attractions And Sightseeing
Welcome to the comprehensive Ufindus Days Out, Attractions and Sightseeing directory. We have a vast selection of sights to see from theme parks to stately homes. Ufindus provides you with a rapid and efficient service and have a wide variety of listings available with a short description of each business before you enter the site. If you're searching for that perfect day out, use the Ufindus directory for a wide variety of listings and all the essential contact details.
About Newquay - show infohide info
Newquay is a town and civil parish on the north Atlantic coast of Cornwall in the south west of the United Kingdom. It is bounded to the west by the Gannel River and its associated salt marsh, and in the east by the Porth valley. The town has been expanding inland (south) since it was founded. According to the 2001 census it had a population of 19,423. The curve of the headland around what is now Newquay harbour provided natural protection from bad weather and a small fishing village grew up in the area. When the village was first occupied is unknown but it is not mentioned in the Domesday Book although a local house (now a bar known as "Trenninick Tavern") is included. By the 15th century the village was called "Towan Blystra" — "Towan" means sand hill/dune in Cornish — but the anchorage was exposed to winds from the North East and in 1439 the local Burghers applied to Bishop Lacey of Exeter for leave and funds to build a "New quay" from which the town derives its current name. The first census data on Newquay records around 1300 inhabitants in 1801. In former times the small fishing village was famous for pilchards and there is a "Huer's Hut" above the harbour from which a lookout would cry "Heva!" to call out the fishing fleet when pilchard shoals were spotted. The town's present insignia is two pilchards. Newquay no longer has any involvement in pilchard fishing although a small number of boats still exploit the local brown crab and lobster populations. Newquay is now a major tourist destination, principally on account of the 10 long and accessible sandy beaches. The town has a resident population of around 22,000 but this can increase to 100,000 or more in the summer because Newquay has a large stock of holiday accommodation. The resort styles itself "The Surfing Capital of Britain" with many surf shops, board manufacturers and hire shops in the town. Fistral Beach hosts major international competitions, and Towan, Great Western and Tolcarne Beaches nearer the town and nearby Crantock Bay also provide high quality breaks. Towan Beach is also the location for the proposed Newquay Surfing Reef, a somewhat controversial project that has polarised local opinion. The town has its own airport, served by regular flights from London Stansted, and new routes for 2006 from Gatwick and Manchester. Newquay is also served by rail from Plymouth. Towns near Newquay include St Ives, Bodmin, Wadebridge, Camborne, Redruth, Falmouth, Truro and St Austell.
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