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Things to do in Cornwall and Watergate Bay events

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 Summer

SURF! at the National Maritime Museum

Until January 2026 SURF! celebrates a century of surfing, showcasing its pioneers, culture, and global impact through boards, art, and rare artefacts.

Find out more

Newquay food festival

10-13 July. Soak up sea views, street food, live music and laid-back festival vibes as Newquay’s Killacourt brings together Cornwall’s best food, drink and makers.

Explore

Jungle Giants Safari

19 July - 2 September. This summer, head to The Lost Gardens of Heligan and go in search of nature’s giants. Wander through the Jungle and uncover extraordinary creatures hidden among the leaves.

Find out more

Summer at Eden: Enchanted Earth

24 July - 7 September. Step into a world of wonder at the Eden Project this summer, as Enchanted Earth reveals the hidden magic of our planet, from the tiniest life forms to the vastness of the cosmos.

Explore

Summer in Cornwall

As the days get longer and the evenings get lighter, there is plenty going on throughout Cornwall in the summer. From surf exhibitions to garden trails and music festivals to beach feasts, there's something for everyone in the family. Here's our go to guide to what's on in Cornwall with Muddy Stilettos.

Read the guide

Events in the Bay

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

WILD on the Beach

Jul 05  - 06

WILD comes to Watergate Bay – a high-energy dance-circus performance on the beach, followed by an evening Summer Social with a silent disco and street food.

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Saturday Summer Social July

Jul 05  - 05

Once the last WILD on the Beach show wraps up and the sun dips, our first Saturday Summer Social takes off. Hit the sand for a free to attend 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.

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Newquay Food Festival

Jul 10  - 13

July 2025 welcomes the first ever Newquay Food Festival. Showcasing the best of Cornwall’s food, drink, and creative community. The festival takes place at Killacourt which offers panoramic views of the coastline and beaches below. Expect local food traders, and live fire-cooking demos, to live music, artisan stalls, and a vibrant festival atmosphere.

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Saturday Summer Social August

Aug 02  - 02

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.

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Boardmasters Music Festival

Aug 06  - 10

A five day combination of surfing, wellness and live music over a series of stages on the cliff tops of Watergate Bay.

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Watergate Bay Sprint

Sep 20  - 21

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

Read more

Explore our rooms

Beach lofts

Stay closer to the horizon in one of our seven new beach lofts, with beach access.

Room details

Suites

Contemporary open-plan with baths in the bedroom bay windows and ocean views.

Room details

Family suites

A spacious double room and a separate bunk room for your family of four or five.

Room details

Double rooms

Modern beach living comes as standard. Choose a sea view or non-sea view option.

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Village apartments

Stylish two-bedroom properties designed for families to really relax and feel at home.

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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

UK Padel at SeaSpace

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 more

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.

Read more

Discover the north end of Watergate Bay beach

Find out what to expect at Watergate Bay's far north end

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Barbecue at Watergate Bay

You know it's summer when people are barbecuing on the beach at Watergate Bay! Follow our barbecue ideas and recipes and enjoy!

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Top ten places to swim in Cornwall

From the sea to outdoor lido's to indoor pools to rivers, there are so many amazing places to swim in Cornwall, and we've chosen our top ten!

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The art of kite flying | Watergate Bay Hotel

A simple pleasure that has swooped through countless centuries, nothing beats the exhilaration of watching your kite take flight.

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Meteor showers

What might you see staring up into the darkness in the next month or two?

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