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Beach Accessibility
Newquay has many sandy beaches with differing levels of access. The following is intended to assist in your decision on accessing a beach. In many cases beaches can be accessed on the sand from the adjacent beach. However, most beaches are cut off from adjacent beaches at high tide (or even partial high tide) so please be aware of the tide times. Tide Timetables are available at Newquay Tourist Information Centre. Please note this information is for guidance only.
Wheelchairs suitable for use on beaches.
Currently, Fistral Beach, Towan Beach and the Harbour Beach are offering this service: MORE DETAILS
Mobility Scooters & Powered Wheelchairs
It is not advised to used Mobility Scooters or Powered Wheelchairs on our beaches. All our beaches are of a fine sand and this surface is entirely unsuitable for standard Mobility Scooters or Powered Wheelchairs. Whether the sand is wet or dry you will likely get stuck and the powdery sand can damage and clog up the mechanics of powered mobility vehicles. All our beaches are tidal and the entire beach can be covered by the sea at very high tides.
Overview of accessibility for Newquay beaches
Fistral Beach. (¾ mile / 1 km from town centre)
One of Newquay’s main surfing beaches. Bordered by dunes, with some access from the Fistral Beach Complex.
Access : Fair, via a shallow slope & dunes
Parking : Within 50 Metres (55 yards)
Dogs : All dogs allowed, all year
Bus : No nearby bus stop
Cafe : Within 50 Metres (55 yards)
Newquay Harbour Beach (Central Newquay)
Newquay Harbour and beach is surrounded by cliffs, with a very steep roadway and steps down to the beach and harbour. The steep roadway can be difficult for those in wheelchairs and those with limited mobility. The steep slope is also unsuitable for some low-powered Mobility Scooters. There is some parking available, including 2 disabled places. These cannot be reserved and availability cannot be guaranteed. No beach wheelchairs are available.
Access : Fair to Poor, via a steep slope or many steps
Parking : 2 disabled parking spaces.
Dogs : All dogs allowed, all year
Bus : No nearby bus stop
Café/Restaurant : On the beach, down at the harbour.
Towan Beach (Central Newquay)
Access : Fair, via a shallow slope
Parking : Nearest car park is Manor Road
Dogs : All dogs allowed, all year
Bus : N/A
Café/Restaurant : By the beach.
Great Western Beach (Central Newquay)
Close to the town centre, with a fairly steep roadway slope down with no steps
Access : Via a fairly steep roadway
Parking : Very limited private Parking
Dogs : All dogs allowed, all year
Bus : Bus stop with 50 metres at the top of the cliffs
Cafe : Seasonal
Tolcarne Beach (Central Newquay)
A central beach, surrounded by cliffs. This is privately owned, but with public access, beach chalets, a restaurant complex and a hotel. There are also steep steps and no beach wheelchair hire.
Access : Poor, Steep roadway or access via 200 plus steps.
Parking : Nearest car park is Albany Road or Newquay Train Station.
Dogs : Dog ban Easter to Oct. Dog walkers can pass by the beach at the waterline during these times. Guide dogs, hearing dogs and other assistance dogs are allowed
Bus : On the road above the steps.
Cafe : On the Beach.
Lusty Glaze Beach. (¾ miles / 1 Km from town centre)
Lusty Glaze beach is a privately owned beach. This beach has limited opening times (check their website for details). It is only accessible by 133 steps or at very low tides from the beach.
Access : None. Via steep steps only, or the adjacent beach at very low tide
Parking : A car park at the top of the beach.
Dogs : Dogs on leads all year. Guide dogs, hearing dogs and other assistance dogs are allowed
Bus : No nearby bus stop
Cafe : On the beach
Porth Beach. (2 miles / 3 km from Newquay)
Another large, expansive beach. The car park on the beach at the South end is currently closed until further notice. There is a car park across the road at the other end of the beach.
Access : Very good, via a shallow slope.
Parking : Currently, (Jan 2023) the Car Park on the beach is not open until further notice.
Dogs : Seasonal dog restrictions: 1 July – 31 August, 10am - 6pm. Guide dogs, hearing dogs and other assistance dogs are allowed
Bus : Bus stop at the North end, but not the South end of the beach.
Cafe : Within 50 Metres (55 yards)
Watergate Bay. (4 miles / 6 km from Newquay)
A very long beach with fairly good access via a slope at the Beach Complex near the centre. The beach has cliffs at each end.
Access : Fair. Via a roadway or steps
Parking : Next to Beach
Dogs : Dogs are allowed all year
Bus : At the top of the cliff
Cafe : Within 50 Metres (55 yards)
Crantock Bay & the Gannel. (2.5 miles/ 4km from Newquay)
Another large, expansive beach 2.5 miles (4km) from Newquay town centre. It has a small car park with access to the beach on foot. There is no access for wheelchairs and very poor mobility access. The Gannel River flows into the sea via Crantock beach and is also an estuary.
Access : Poor.
Parking : Within 50 Metres (55 yards)
Dogs : Dogs are allowed all year
Bus : No nearby bus stop
Cafe : Within 200 Metres (300 yards)
Please note the information regarding our beaches and the level of access (which is subjective) is for guidance only. Private businesses' opening times and availability are subject to change without notice. Restrictions due to rock falls, weather conditions etc may change the level of access. Bus stops are no guarantee of an operating bus service (particularly during the winter) so please check routes and times.
