Why go? Water action. At Newquay, there's no sitting in deck chairs on the prom. This is Britain's surf capital, and there's plenty more besides.
Best stretch of beach: Eleven beaches in and around the town. Fistral beach is best for surfing - there's also separate space for boogie boarders and common swimmers from the half-mile stretch of soft sand. The main family beach is Towan, beside the harbour.
Best walk: Watergate Bay to Newquay, an hour along the South West Coast Path.
Best sundowner: Lewinnick Lodge Bar on the headland at Pentire.
Best cream tea: A toss up between the grass apron of the Headland Hotel (01637 872211, headlandhotel.co.uk), overlooking Fistral beach, and Trenance Cottage Tea Rooms and Gardens (named by the Tea Council as 'the top tea place in the UK' in 2001 and 2002).
Best seafood: Finns Restaurant, Newquay Harbour (01637 874062). Most main courses cost around £16. The Beach Hut at Watergate Bay (01637 860877) mixes seafood and typical surferfest. Mains are £10-12.
Best hotel: In a year or two, when Rick Stein's new hotel and two restaurants open, things will no doubt change, but for now the Headland Hotel is the only four-star on the north Cornwall coast. It has a prime location overlooking Fistral beach from £123 half-board per couple per night in July. The less grand Edwardian Glanville Court, 24 Headland Road (01637 873334), just 250 yards from Fistral beach, costs from £25pp pn B&B. Fistral Backpackers (01637 873146) is only £12.50 for a dorm bed, or from £14pp for a private room.
Don't miss: Two-hour introductory surf lesson (or advanced if you're up to it) with BSA National Surfing Centre on Fistral Beach (01637 850737, nationalsurfingcentre.com) for £25 including wet suits and boards. Extreme Academy at Watergate Bay (01637 860840, watergatebay.co.uk). Try some kitesurfing, wakeboarding or land yachting. Prices vary.
Further information: Tourist Information Centre, Marcus Hill (01637 854020, newquay.co.uk). Visitengland .com provides a one-stop shop for events and attractions.
Paul Gogarty
