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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

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

The Spirit of Harvest, The Lost Gardens of Heligan

18 October - 2 November. Celebrate the spirit of Autumn by honouring nature and hard work. Join Heligan in sharing fruits, vegetables, herbs and meats.

Find out more

Motionhouse ‘Hidden’, Hall for Cornwall

October 15. Internationally renowned dance-circus company Motionhouse bring their new production Hidden to the Hall for Cornwall this October. Image credit: Dan Tucker

Find out more

Skate by the Sea, Watergate Bay

18 November - 11 January. This winter, we’re bringing a 360-square-metre ice rink to Watergate Bay for the very first time.

Find out more

Autumn in Cornwall

As the days get shorter and the evenings get darker, there is still plenty going on throughout Cornwall this Autumn. From surf exhibitions to harvest celebrations, there's something for everyone in the family. Here's our go to guide to what's on in Cornwall this September with Muddy Stilettos.

Events in the Bay

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

October yoga break

Oct 13  - 15

Clear your mind with a three-day break led by Gemma Bolger. Tailored for all experience levels, delve into the essence of yoga, its multiple benefits for health and wellbeing, plus how to adapt and utilise yoga to suit your body and lifestyle.

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November Swim break

Nov 14  - 16

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

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December Swim break

Dec 05  - 07

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

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Cocker Spaniel meet up 2026

May 10  - 10

After the success of the last four years, Cornish Ramblings return to Watergate Bay beach for the Cocker Spaniel meet-up 2026. In an attempt to get as many of your beloved dogs in one place at the same time, Cornish Ramblings is calling on all Cocker Spaniel owners.

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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.

Room details

Village apartments

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

Room details

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

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.

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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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