Events and Attractions in Cornwall

While staying at Newquay enjoy the sandy Cornish beaches and blue sea, surf the waves, or walk along the dramatic coast line. Geckos Rest is ideally situated for walking the South West Coast Path. Visit the lovely gardens or experience our mining history during your holiday by the sea. As well as places to visit there are many exciting events through the year. Below are some of our favourites, for a full list please click here to go to Visit Cornwall. 

2025 Diary Dates

Tunes in the Dunes, Perranporth, 6th - 8th June.
Royal Cornwall Show, Wadebridge, 5th – 7th June.
Boardmasters Surf Festival, 6th – 10th August.
RNLI Lifeboat Day, 17th August.
Ladies Gig Championship, 30th - 31st of August.
Crantock Bale Push, 12th of September.
Little Orchard Cider and Music Festival, 12th - 14th September.
Mens Gig Championship, 13th - 14th of September.
Newquay Lions Club Beer Festival, 19th - 21st of September.

Attractions

Newquay Beaches
Newquay is surrounded by beautiful beaches.
Towan beach is the closest and only a short walk from Geckos Rest, it is great for surfing and body boarders.
Fistral beach is world renowned for surfing, less than a mile from Geckos Rest and has larger waves.
The beaches usually have lifeguard cover from Easter to September and you are never far from an ice-cream or tea shop. To check out tide times for Newquay Click Here.

South West Coast Path
Newquay is on the South West Coast Path, which is England’s longest waymarked footpath. It runs for 630 miles, as featured in the Salt Path book and film by Raynor Winn. Enjoy a weekend walking along the stunning Cornish coast line from Porthcothan to Newquay then onwards to Perranporth. Geckos Rest is proud to be an official way marker stamping point. Find out more about the South west coast Path here https://www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk/

Films and TV shows
Newquay cliffs and beaches have been used for filming many shows: Beyond Paradise, Doc Martin, Poldark, Game of Thrones: House of the Dragon, The Salt Path, Rosamunde Pilcher (a popular German drama) to name a few

Newquay Activity Centre
Why not make the most of our beaches and get a lesson from Newquay Activity Centre, surfing, paddle boarding or even Coasteering. 
www.newquayactivitycentre.co.uk/

Escape Surf School
For the best surf instructors why not book a lesson with Escape Surf School who offer warm changing rooms and are located in Newquay overlooking Towan Beach.
www.escapesurfschool.co.uk/

Blue Reef Aquarium
An amazing little aquarium located at Newquay Bay, a short walk from our guest house.
Blue Reef Aquarium is on Towan Promenade, Newquay
Approximate distance from Geckos Rest: less than ½ mile.
www.bluereefaquarium.co.uk/newquay/

Newquay Zoo
Get closer to over 130 species at the award winning Newquay Zoo. Penguins, creepy crawlies and big cats are all waiting to meet you, always a popular day out.
Newquay Zoo is on Trenance Gardens, Newquay.
Approximate distance from Geckos Rest: 1 mile.
www.newquayzoo.org.uk/

National Trust
There are lots of National Trust places to visit including:
Carnewas and Bedruthan Steps, dramatic sea rocks, approximate distance from Geckos Rest: 8 miles.

English Heritage
Pendennis Castle, a great day out, approximate distance from Geckos Rest: 26 miles and Tintagel Castle of King Arthur fame. Approximate distance from Geckos Rest: 32 miles.

Gardens
There are lots of gardens to visit in Cornwall, The Lost Gardens of Heligan are a must see for the enthusiast. Approximate distance from Geckos Rest: 20 miles. For a more modern take there is the Eden Project. Approximate distance from Geckos Rest: 22 miles.

Flying Tours
Discover the stunning sights of Cornwall - from its unique coastlines, cliffs and beaches to its rural villages and towns from a different prospective or even learn to fly with FlyNqy.

Cornish Wine and Cyder Tours
The Cornish climate is ideal for growing grapes and apples, book a tour, tasting or just pop into the visitors centres to try some of their produce.
Healeys Cyder Farm, see how they make cyder, whiskey and jams! Approximate distance from guest house: 10 miles
Camel Valley, award winning wines. The standard guided tour is great, but if you love your sparkling wines too then book on to the ‘Grand Tour and Tasting’. Approximate distance from guest house: 20 miles.
Trevibban Mill vineyard and orchards. Marvellous wines and a lovely setting, you will think you’re in France. Approximate distance from Geckos Rest: 15 miles.