By Debbie Morgan
Despite being less than a five minute walk from the heart of busy Newquay, Great Western Beach – named (rather unpoetically) after the railway - is one of the quieter stretches of the north Cornish coast. Backed by high cliffs, with caves and rock pools to explore at low tide, it's not ideal for sunbathing late in the afternoon, when the sun drops behind the cliffs, but if you go at low tide, when the water pulls back to link Great Western with Towan and Tolcarne beaches, you've got one long expanse of inviting golden sand to play on.
If you're a newbie surfer, the moderate Atlantic swells here are just what you need. Sign up with Ticket to Ride Surf School, who have private access to both Great Western and Towan beach. They teach all abilities from £20 a session for surfing , and stand-up paddle boarding from £30, and will have you riding those waves like a pro before you can say Point Break.
Where to stay:
Neighbouring, family-owned Tolcarne Beach, a minute's walk away along the beach at low tide (or five minutes if you go the main road way), has 10 four-star luxury apartments that sleep from 4-8 people, all with amazing seaviews from private balconies. The apartments are bright and beautifully done out with fancy kitchens plus wifi and tv/dvd for lazy nights in.
They are brilliant for group trips (though not the kind of place for a stag/hen party), and 'Breaks Bar & Kitchen' is only a few steps away, right on the beach, if you can't be bothered to cook, or if you just fancy a chilled sundowner on one of their daybeds.
Tolcarne Beach, Narrowcliff, Newquay TR7 2QN01637 872489, has two – three bedroom apartmens sleeping 4 – 8 people. Prices from £125 per night for four.
Ticket to Ride Surf School. Trebarwith Cres, Newquay, Cornwall TR7 1DX01637 222565 Surfing & Stand Up Paddleboarding tuition from £20 for 90 minutes
