SURF! at the National Maritime Museum
Until January 2027. SURF! celebrates a century of surfing, showcasing its pioneers, culture, and global impact through boards, art, and rare artefacts.
Find out moreWe'd love to keep in touch and send you the latest news, events, competitions and offers from the Bay. Sign up to receive our e-newsletter.
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.
Here's a selection of our favourite places to visit and events coming up at Watergate and beyond the Bay.
View our events calendar for the full list.
Until January 2027. SURF! celebrates a century of surfing, showcasing its pioneers, culture, and global impact through boards, art, and rare artefacts.
Find out more23-31 May. Head to Eden over May half term when Aardman’s hit animated series Lloyd of the Flies takes over the gardens and Biomes.
Find out more23-31 May. Dive into the underwater world of rockpools, what will you discover?
Find out moreAs the days get longer and the evenings get lighter, there is lots going on throughout Cornwall this Summer. From surf exhibitions, to days out at Eden, there's something for everyone in the family. Here's our guide to what's on in Cornwall...
9-12 July. Set 15 minutes down the coast this clifftop festival is a vibrant celebration of independent traders, local makers and Cornish producers. Image credit: @dannynorthphoto
Find out more25 July-6 September. To celebrate its 25th anniversary, the Eden Project sees dinosaurs return to the biomes.
Find out more23-26 July. Head up the coast to this family friendly festival located at the Dinham House Estate. From music and chefs to model making workshops and foraging walks.
Find out more5-9 August. Set in the Bay and at Fistral beach, Boardmasters brings together music, world-class surfing, and wellness, with an Atlantic backdrop.
Find out more7-16 August. A programme of events kicking off with Falmouth carnival alongside world class sailing and family activities from town to harbour.
Find out moreExplore the UK's only outdoor jungle, with acres of raised boardwalks, giant exotic plants, pools, and wildlife. Summer programme to follow, but expect serious adventuring.
Find out moreThere's a full programme of events taking place in the Bay.
Jul 18
Oceanflow Yoga will lead a vinyasa flow on the sand at Watergate Bay, headphones on, music up and 200+ people moving together by the sea. All abilities welcome.
Read moreJul 25
Hit the sand for a free to attend summer social silent disco from 5-7pm. Dance to the beat of the waves, sip sundowners and fill up on local street food as the light dances on the ocean.
Read moreAug 05 - 09
A five day combination of surfing, wellness and live music over a series of stages on the cliff tops of Watergate Bay.
Read moreAug 22
Hit the sand for a free to attend summer social silent disco from 5-7pm. Dance to the beat of the waves, sip sundowners and fill up on local street food as the light dances on the ocean.
Read moreSep 05
Surfing England returns to Watergate Bay for the 2026 Caravan and Motorhome Club English National Surfing Championships. Longboard and SUP event.
Read moreStay closer to the horizon in one of our seven new beach lofts, with beach access.
Room detailsA spacious double room and a separate bunk room for your family of four or five.
Room detailsModern beach living comes as standard. Choose a sea view or non-sea view option.
Room detailsStylish two-bedroom properties designed for families to really relax and feel at home.
Room detailsRain or shine, take place in these indoor and outdoor activities nearby to Watergate Bay.
Try your hand at the worlds fastest growing sport. Just up the road at SeaSpace in Porth, find UK Padel – complete with sea views.
Find out moreTake a boat safari from Padstow harbour with Wavehunters. Boat tours and sea safaris exploring hidden coves, private charter also available.
Take the tourWoodlands and coast paths, traffic-free cycle routes all within a 30-minute drive.
Ride onExplore surfing lessons, equipment hire and book a session with Wavehunters surf school right on the beach.
Surf lessonsDiscover beach, coast path and woodland walks near Watergate Bay and further afield.
Top 10 Walks in CornwallSeek out tidal pools, sheltered bays, and geothermal pools.
Top ten places to swim in CornwallHall for Cornwall is back with a line-up full of comedy, music, theatre, screenings and entertainment all year round.
What's onLearn all about lobsters and the conservation work that goes into ensuring the sustainability of the wild lobster population in our seas.
Visit the Lobster HatcherySay 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 SanctuaryBuilt 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 JailTate 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 IvesLocal, 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 historyTake 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 tourAt the Southwestern Distillery, Tarquin and his team distil his famous gin overlooking the wild Cornish coast.
Gin toursAn incredible theatre perched on the cliff edge near the tip of Cornwall. Visit for the day or buy tickets for a production.
Cliff side theatreNear 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 Eden45-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 Heligan1-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 gardensDiscover 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 TrebahA 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 MountExperience the natural wonder of Bedruthan Steps, dramatic views and sea stacks towering high above the beach.
Bedruthan StepsCountry house estate, ancient woodland, extensive gardens, and riverside paths. Off-road cycle trails for all abilities and bike hire available.
LanhydrockWe caught up with sand artist Sonia Shomalzadeh ahead of her residency at Watergate Bay from 7–10 June 2025, when she’ll be creating life-size wildlife drawings of endangered marine species on the beach.
Read moreMeet fused glass artist Dreya Bennett as we look forward to welcoming her and her glass fusing skills to the Bay for our next Artist Residency.
Read moreWe caught up with Gstee, the man behind the large-scale works lining our beach lofts walls, to talk about the joy of the tangible, how to find a fresh perspective and why Watergate Bay always calls him back.
Read moreFind out about Becca's residency at Watergate Bay and learn how to draw your own dogs at home with her video tutorial.
Read moreWe speak to three nutrition and exercise experts to find out the relationship between getting active outdoors and good food, including ten top tips.
Read moreOur first musician-in-residence kicks off between 16 - 19 November. We caught up with pianist, Joe Kirby ahead of his residency.
Read moreWe'd love to keep in touch and send you the latest news, events, competitions and offers from the Bay. Sign up to receive our e-newsletter.