Although famous for it’s alluring seascapes and surf, Newquay is increasingly becoming a town that boosts an eclectic range of small independent businesses, creative spaces and vibrant events. If you’re thinking of coming to Cornwall for some time either side of your course dates with us, or looking for something to do on your Wednesday day off (4 day beginner courses only), then the following guide will give some starting points.
Our Favourite Surf Shops
It can be a daunting affair, packing your bags for a surf trip and in the rush of excitement for your upcoming trip you may forget your surf essentials. Once on your adventure, you may become a surf addict and feel the need to feed your passion by buying new surf gear. Whatever it might be, we can point you in the direction of some of the best surf shops to stock up on supplies. We’ve also included a section of fantastic locally owned independent businesses that you may wish to visit whilst spending your time down here.
Karma has been present in Newquay since 1972 and still has an active shaping bay. The owner Steve and the team will greet you with a warm welcome and will readily share their extensive knowledge of surf culture and surf craft.
Best for: It’s Authenticity, Locally produced surf craft, Surf gear and accessories
Founded in Polzeath in 1978, selling surf gear, Anns Cottage is one of the largest surfwear retailers in Cornwall, housing a range of top surf brands. If you’re needing a wetsuit for your travels or fancy some retail therapy then pop them on your list.
Best for: Surf lifestyle clothing, Wetsuits
Location: Fistral Beach and their Main Store in St Columb
The swimwear market for women can be an overwhelming with many brands with varying offering. That’s wear we see Sand & Palm as a standout to pay attention to. The owner, Victoria, is a surfer herself, having travelled the globe chasing waves. She has combined her experience of surfing in tropical spaces with her creative knowledge to produce swimwear collection that is ethically sourced, with beautiful prints and that don’t fall off in the surf.
Best for: Bespoke sustainable swimwear
Location: 5 Wesley Yard, Newquay
Run out of wax, snapped leash, ding your board? All sorts of things can happen when you’re out in the water surfing which require a replenishment of stock. Luckily, all the supplies you need are at Surfing Life, located in the centre of Newquay. They’re one of the premier surf stores in Newquay, great place for hunting out a new wetsuit.
Best for: Wetsuits, Surf hardware and Accessories, Surf lifestyle clothing
Location: Fore Street, Newquay
Dick Pearce + Friends Bellyboards
With an emphasis on fun, Dick Pearce + Friends are suppliers of wooden bellyboards. A retro pastime that has made a comeback, exploding in popularity with water users across the UK recent years. The bellyboards are made with one goal in mind, to have the most fun in the water possible. DP+F also have gone beyond that to incorporate sustainability into their processes by using local suppliers and manufacturers for their range of beach goods and offering free bellyboard hire to reduce plastic pollution from cheap bodyboards.
Best for: Bellyboards, British made beach goods.
Location: Hope Yard, Newquay (near sainsbury’s)
On the corner of Forestreet is Sunset Surf Shop, a small independent supplying it’s own range of fresh organic summer numbers. Sunset Surf has a focus on providing ethically sourced and fairtrade goods that move against the tides of the fast fashion industry, aligning with the slow pace that coastal living offers.
Best for: Organic Summer Clothing, Surf goods
Location: Fore Street, Newquay
Fantastic independent shops
On land, at sea and everything in between…. MMW appears as a gallery of thoughtfully curated lifestyle pieces. From locally produced pottery, cushions, blankets to Seea swimwear, you’ll walk into MMW wanting to buy everything.
Best for: Clothing, Bohemian aesthetic, Lifestyle
Location: Fore Street, Newquay
Sprout is tucked away off the bustling high street in a former printhouse. Their courtyard is the perfect escape to tuck yourself away reading a book whilst sipping a wellbeing drink. This is the place to stock up on health foods, natural skincare products and raw vegan sweet treats.
Best for: Organic produce, Health foods, Vegan + GF diets.
Location: The Crescent, Newquay (just off the high street)
Lore of nature is a space for houseplants, surfing and art, promoting locals artists and craftspeople in the Newquay area. If you’re looking for a take home or to explore the creative spaces of Newquay then please visit here!
Best for: Houseplants, Local Craft
Whilst we have focussed much attention on promoting the coffee scene in Newquay, the importance of a well made brew is often neglected. Tea + Leaves provides luxury loose leaf tea blends as well as tropical plants.
Best for: Loose Leaf Tea, Tropical Houseplants
Location: The Killacourt, Newquay (the green above towan beach)
The Good Lyfe plastic free shop is a thoughtfully curated space of plastic free foods and goods with slow living and consciously sourcing at it’s centre. Here you can buy cards, books, food, lifestyle pieces and beauty products.
Best for: Plastic Free, Consciously Sources Products
Location: Fore Street, Newquay
A small independent boutique on Fistral beach with an eclectic mix of lifestyle and clothing genres locally and internationally sourced. Bon Bon is a perfect peruse on a lunch break and with numbers that compliment any summer wardrobe.
Best for: Diverse range of clothing and lifestyle products
Location: North Fistral Beach Complex, Newquay
Our other top destinations to visit from galleries to pottery studios
Slow Response Coffee x Figure Creative
A micro gallery space and coffee hangout, Slow Response has a constant changing presence of artists and pop-up events. The current residency is surfer Ellen Caldwell’s brand Figure Creative; a 100% plastic free surf brand creating bespoke custom wetsuits. Figure are also holding pop-up events over the summer so be sure to check out their instagram handle for updates!
Best for: Ever Changing art space, Coffee, Chilled evening events
Location: Mount Wise Car Park, Newquay
Despite it’s location on the peripheries of urban living, You’ll realise Cornwall has buzzing creative scene once you delve a little deeper below the surface. NCA has a mission to promote the work of emerging Cornish creatives. Located above Towan beach, the gallery is worth a visit to see a different side of Cornish culture.
Best for: Gallery Space, Art
Location: Beachfield Avenue, Newquay (nr Walkabout)
Wedge Pottery is another fine example of the thriving creativity in Cornwall, providing pottery classes and courses with an emphasis on accessibility and community. We’re excited by these sorts of spaces popping up to add more to the mix of play that surfing and drinking beer!
Best for: Pottery, Creative Spaces and events
Location: Wesley Yard, Newquay
The Tide is a popular spot for surfers and other outdoor enthusiasts to head to on the days when the surfs blown or on winter evenings. The tide welcomes all levels whether you’re a novice in need of some guidance or a seasoned climber hunting out new routes to conquer.
Best for: Climbing, Bouldering
Location: Nr Wadebridge, PL27 7SE (about 25mins drive from Newquay)
Newquay Community Orchard x Canteen
An urban greenspace in the heart of Newquay, The orchard is a community space designed to support the local community and wildlife through engaging people in “eco-therapy” based activities. The space is open for all to enjoy. They have partnered with a local chef Ben Quinn of Canteen to provide high quality food 7 days a week in their café space. The orchard space also plays host to events such as local farmers markets, yoga classes and evening music events. Stop by for a slice of peace and tranquillity.
Best for: Urban Greenspace, High quality local dishes, Outdoor events
Location: Yeoman Way, Newquay (near Wax sportscentre)