Those after tranquil holidays on the Newquay Coast will be blown away by Mawgan Porth. This tiny hamlet in North Cornwall is only 4 miles from the hustle and bustle of Newquay, but its sleepy atmosphere and peaceful surroundings makes it feel like it's a million miles away. Mawgan Porth has loads of hotels and B&Bs right on the seafront so you've only got a short walk to the award winning Mawgan Porth Beach, which is a popular surfing spot.
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Fans of walking can try out the South West Coast Path that runs through the hamlet. There are lots of walks for all abilities on this pathway, and it's clearly way marked so it's easy to follow. After your leisurely day out enjoying Mawgan Porth's charms you should go for a delicious meal at one of the hamlet's restaurants.
Whether you're visiting Mawgan Porth Beach to go surfing or just to enjoy the sun, sea and sand you'll have a great time. This secluded beach is best visited in summer and those looking for beach outdoor activities in Mawgan Porth will find that it's ideal. Although there are larger beaches nearby you can't beat Mawgan Porth Beach's beautiful location, complete with high cliffs that surround the beach and give it a VIP atmosphere.
If you want to learn how to surf you can go to King Surf, a surfing school in Mawgan Porth. They've got lessons for complete beginners and refresher courses for people who haven't surfed in a while. You can have anything from a half day lesson to 5 full days of lessons, and if you and a friend want to go together there are special couples classes you can take.
Families holidaying in Mawgan Porth will be pleased to know that this beach is very family friendly, with regular RNLI patrols that make the beach a safe environment for your kids to play in. You and your children can build sandcastles, go swimming in the sea, sunbathe and more. There are some small shops close to the beach and, during summer, you're bound to find an ice cream van selling delicious Cornish ice cream.
The South West Coast Path is the longest signposted footpath in England and is completed by millions of people every year. If you're planning on making the 630 mile round trip from Somerset to Dorset Mawgan Porth is a good place to stop near the halfway point; you can recuperate in this cosy hamlet before setting off again.
You don't have to walk the entire distance of the pathway though; you can just follow the Coast Path around Mawgan Porth and take in the stunning surroundings. If you've got a spare day on your holiday why not take the path up to Newquay and spend a day in the town, or you can walk to nearby Constantine Bay, just 5 miles away. Most of the walks around Mawgan Porth are suitable for families with young children as well.
Even though it's only a small hamlet there are still lots of places to eat in Mawgan Porth and you won't be disappointed by these traditional Cornish restaurants, cafs and pubs. After your day out exploring Mawgan Porth you can pop into the Merrymoor Inn, which is the main pub in the hamlet. They've got all of your favourite drinks at the bar and they also serve delicious home cooked meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
For light lunches you should try the Fire Caf Bar & Grill close to the seafront, which is open seasonally. This cafe serves a varied range of meals that are suitable for vegetarians and meat eaters alike. If you're dining with the whole family you'll be pleased to know that there are child friendly meals available as well.
If you want to sample some delectable local produce book yourself a table at the Quies Restaurant in Constantine Bay, just a short drive from Mawgan Porth. They're set right on the coast and so have incredible views out over the sea - Mawgan Porth Beach is also visible from the restaurant. They serve great Cornish food with modern twists.
Beach in March image contributed by Tony Atkin. Low Tide image contributed by Doug Lee. Swell image contributed by Neil Hanson. All images are copyrighted but licensed for further reuse under the Creative Commons License.