Newquay Train Station

The seaside resort of Newquay has been a major tourist destination for over a century. Though it had previously been locally revered for its beautiful coastline and beaches, it was the arrival of the railway to Newquay in 1876 that truly sealed the deal.

The first railway in Newquay was a horse-worked line for locally transporting goods, but passenger trains were introduced in 1876 – this is when Newquay railway station was first opened. The originally constructed station had a single platform with a turntable at one end to release locomotives from incoming trains. In 1905, the station underwent renovations and was rebuilt with two platforms and three tracks to streamline operations. This reconstruction allowed an expansion of services so that Newquay was more connected to towns and villages in the local area. In the early 20th century, both platforms were elongated successively to accommodate longer trains bringing growing numbers of holidaymakers to the increasingly popular tourist town.

In the latter half of the 20th century, further changes were made to the station, including the closure of the signal box, the shortening of Platform 3, and the closure of the goods yard. Newquay station saw some refurbishments and updates when the platforms were resurfaced in 2012 and the station canopies were replaced.

Newquay railway station is a busy place year-round but runs especially popular services throughout the summer months. Trains are operated by Great Western Railway, with a quick connecting service to CrossCountry stations, and operate around the Cornish region as well as around the UK. Popular CrossCountry routes include St Erth to Newquay, Exeter to Newquay, Birmingham to Newquay, Newcastle to Newquay, and Edinburgh to Newquay – all with an interchange at Par train station.

At Newquay train station, facilities include free public Wi-Fi, a coffee shop/café, bicycle parking, and a car park which is open 24/7. There are also shops, cafes, and restaurants on the surrounding roads.

Things to do in Newquay

Whether you’re in Newquay for an afternoon, a day, or a whole weekend, you have to get involved in the incredible water and beach sports on offer. Newquay is regarded as the surf capital of the UK, so enrolling yourself into surf school is an absolute must whilst visiting. If you’re fascinated by the sea but don’t want to get too wet, you could hop on a Newquay Sea Safari boat trip! With expert tour guides who can help you to understand the maritime history of the local area, as well as teaching you about native wildlife; this is a great way to expand your horizons and enjoy being at the Cornish seaside.

If you’ve already enjoyed days on the beach and fancy something different, why not explore one of Newquay’s local attractions, like Newquay Zoo or the Blue Reef Aquarium? The zoo has 13 acres of lush tropical gardens – the perfect setting for admiring your favourite animals like lemurs, penguins, armadillos, and meerkats. If you’d prefer to maintain the ocean theme, a visit to the aquarium is a fantastic opportunity to get to know local and exotic marine life. With family tickets available, and both being close to or within the city centre, these are perfect options for family days out.

Whilst in Newquay, you simply have to take a stroll around the seaside town to enjoy the unique shops, and boutiques, and to sample local dishes. From classic British fish & chips to international cuisines, there are some truly excellent restaurants and cafes to enjoy whilst in Newquay.