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

Things to do in Cornwall this autumn

Ice skating at the Eden Project

From 19 October. Lace up your skates and join the fun at the Eden Project as their ice rink opens again.

Explore

Silhouetts and Shadows at The National Maritime Museum

26 October - 3 November. Shadow puppet stories, songs in the Boat Hall, spooky make and takes and a museum trail!

Find out more

Hallloweden at the Eden Project

26 October - 3 November. Explore the world of minibeasts this October half term at the Eden Project.

Find out more

Frightful bugs and mini beasts at The Cornish Seal Sanctuary

26 October - 3 November. Meet the rescue seal pups, join the 'bugs and mini beasts' trail and enjoy some creepy crafts!

Explore

Things to do in Cornwall this Winter

Heligan night garden

Journey through the garden trail exploring woodlands and gardens lit with installations and lanterns

Find out more

Cornwall Christmas Fair at the Eden Project

27–28 November. 70 independent stalls from within Cornwall and beyond, the annual Cornwall Christmas Fair

Explore

A Cornish Christmas - National Maritime Museum

28 November – 5 January. Decorate our festive sailing boat, help Charlie Chough uncover Cornwall’s festive traditions in our Museum trail, and more.

Find out more

Events in the Bay

There's a full programme of events taking place in the Bay.

November Swim break

Have you ever wanted to perfect your front crawl, and swim smoother, faster, and further with more confidence?

December Swim break

Have you ever wanted to perfect your front crawl, and swim smoother, faster, and further with more confidence?

May Skybar

Skybar's apres-sea club nights are back on the cliffs of Watergate Bay, overlooking the beach below.

Arts on the Beach

A free-to-attend family weekend of whale-theatre, performance, dance, music and creative workshops. A celebration of creativity, community, imagination and ocean culture.

Watergate Bay Sprint

The Watergate Bay Sprint returns in for 2025, with hundreds of cars competing against the clock for the best time.

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.

Rockpool Ramble

Powerboat tours

Take a boat safari from Padstow harbour with Wavehunters. Boat tours and sea safaris exploring hidden coves, private charter also available.

Take the tour

Cycle trails

Woodlands and coast paths, traffic-free cycle routes all within a 30-minute drive.

Ride on

Surfing lessons

Explore surfing lessons, equipment hire and book a session with Wavehunters surf school right on the beach.

Surf lessons

Walks

Discover beach, coast path and woodland walks near Watergate Bay and further afield.

Top 10 Walks in Cornwall

Swimming pools

Seek out tidal pools, sheltered bays, and geothermal pools.

Top ten places to swim in Cornwall

The Wildlife Walk

Experience Newquay's nature with a guided walk.

Newquay Wild Activities

Boat trips with Wavehunters

Take a tour

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.

What's on

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.

Visit the Lobster Hatchery

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.

Visit the Cornish Seal 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

Experience Bodmin Jail

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.

Explore St Ives

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.

Explore our maritime history

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.

Take the tour

Tarquins Gin Distillery Tours

At the Southwestern Distillery, Tarquin and his team distil his famous gin overlooking the wild Cornish coast.

Gin tours

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.

Cliff side theatre

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.

Explore Eden

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.

Discover Heligan

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.

Wander the gardens

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.

Visit Trebah

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.

St Michael's Mount

Bedruthan Steps

Experience the natural wonder of Bedruthan Steps, dramatic views and sea stacks towering high above the beach.

Bedruthan Steps

Lanhydrock

Country house estate, ancient woodland, extensive gardens, and riverside paths. Off-road cycle trails for all abilities and bike hire available.

Lanhydrock

Trerice

20 minute drive, an Elizabethan manor house and gardens.

Trerice House and Gardens

Discover more

Things to do in Cornwall

Step from the hotel straight onto the coastal path, hire a bike and explore some incredible landscapes. Walks through forgotten gardens and stepping stones for giants, there's plenty to do around Watergate and further afield.