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All you need to know
Set on the western edge of the Gannel estuary, only two miles from Newquay in North Cornwall, with a beautiful beach on your doorstep, it’s no surprise that holidays in Crantock are so popular.
Families flock to this picturesque coastal village thanks to its big golden sandy beach, rock pools teeming with crabs and marine creatures, seasonal lifeguard cover, facilities and laid-back seaside charm. There’s a handful of shops, cafes and bars near the beach, so you’ll hardly have to use your car. There’s also a great little thatched village pub, the Old Albion Inn, a notorious smugglers’ haunt. After a long day basking in the sun, building sandcastles and bodyboarding, it’s a lovely spot for a relaxing dinner.
Crantock is also one of Cornwall’s best surfing beaches, thanks to the powerful swell of the Atlantic Ocean. Whether you’re looking for lessons or have been surfing for years, it couldn’t be easier to get out on the water thanks to a seasonal surf hire shop by the beach.
If one beach just isn’t enough, the South West Coast Path runs through Crantock, so you can walk along the headlands of West Pentire and find your favourite spot to soak up the sea views. Head westward to Polly Joke, a secluded, unspoilt beach, and prepare to be wowed by a carpet of poppies and wildflowers, which fill the fields during early summer. It’s such a spectacular sight and is sure to be the highlight of your holiday in Crantock. Just beyond Polly Joke is Holywell Bay, another gorgeous sweep of golden sand.
Whilst it’s difficult to ever get tired of the stunning coastal surroundings, you’ll find plenty of things to do and places to eat in nearby Newquay. Children will love the Blue Reef Aquarium, Newquay Zoo and Trenance Gardens’ boating lake, swimming pool and crazy golf. Add to that a selection of high street and independent shops, beachside cafes, restaurants, bars and nightclubs, Newquay has it all.
If you’re looking for a traditional Cornish seaside getaway, a holiday in Crantock can’t be beaten.
This picturesque, Harry Colt designed, 18 hole course if found in the heart of Newquay over looking Fistral Beach, and is a wonderful introduction to Links Golf for everyone from beginners to experienced golfers.
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Blue Reef Aquarium in Newquay is a wonderful attraction for families, particularly on rainy days. Dedicated to education, conservation and the creatures it holds dear, they have over 40 naturally themed habitats which take you on a journey from the Cornish waters to exotic seas and bring you face to face with freshwater turtles, jellyfish and puffer fish. A favourite feature is the aquarium’s ocean tank, where an underwater tunnel offers magical views of the giant Loggerhead turtle, reef sharks and shoals of colourful fish as well. Parking is available on St Georges Road Car Park (TR7 1JS) or Manor Road Car Park (TR7 1RA) .
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Enjoy £1 off per person with your Toad Hall Cottages Discount Card
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Holywell Bay Golf offers something for all levels and abilities, with two 18-hole course and a16-hole mini golf course. The courses offer beautiful coastal views and first class fairways, with a laid back atmosphere - there's no dress code here. The club's PFA professional golfer is available for one-on-one lessons or group activities, and there's a great bar and restaurant on site serving refreshments and food, with both cosy fires and sun terraces.
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A great pitch and putt course. Been there so many times!! Staff can be a bit ‘off’ sometimes but the views are beautiful.
January 2022
On a 32ft offshore charter vessel called The Atlantis, this Newquay based company offers fishing trips on the beautiful Cornish coast. Aboard you will find a large wheelhouse and comfy seating area as well as tea and coffee facilities, cold drinks and a toilet. Licensed for 12 passengers at a time, they also have a second boat if you’re looking to bring a larger group, and staff are extremely accommodating. They offer a variety of trips from a two-hour mackerel bash to a sunset session, shark fishing, fishing and jet skiing, and a full day exploring the local reefs and wrecks.
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Set in a pretty courtyard, Jam Jar Kitchen serves great coffee, freshly-baked homemade cakes and croissants by morning, local ice cream on sunny days, and delicious freshly-made artisan wood-fired pizza in the evenings, washed down with a glass of wine or aperol spritz. Jam Jar Kitchen also offers takeaway, so you can eat your pizza on Crantock's sand dunes watching the sunset.
Jam Jar Kitchen, Langurroc Road, Crantock, TR8 5 RB
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A beautiful 400-year-old thatched pub set a 10-minute walk from Crantock beach. The Old Albion Inn serves real Cornish ale, cold ciders and a great selection of beer and wine, alongside a tasty menu filled with pub classics including fish and chips, burgers and Sunday roasts. The pub is filled with character - sit beside one of the toasty real fires and hear stories of the smugglers hole, which led from the pub's fireplace and passed under the village, the old pasty ovens and the pub's own well. The family-friendly pub welcomes dogs, holds regular music nights, and has a terraced beer garden for summer days.
Old Albion Inn, Crantock, TR8 5RB (T: 01637 830243)
Excellent service and delicious food.
June 2023
My brother and sister in law ate here one night during our stay in Crantock and they said the food was fantastic! Just wish we had booked a table too! Perhaps next time?
June 2022
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The Cornishman is a popular family and dog-friendly pub set in the heart of Crantock village. With cosy log burners for winter nights and lots of outdoor seating in the beer garden for sunny summer days, the pub is always welcoming. The Cornishman serves well-kept Cornish ales, good food and Sunday roasts, and also hosts regualr quiz nights, live music and events throughout the year.
The Cornishman, Crantock, TR8 5RB (T: 01637 520226)
Great place to have a drink or eat and the pub quiz and bingo was great fun
October 2023
Lovely pub with such friendly staff. Great pint pie and quiz night on a Thursday. A great atmosphere.
January 2022
For breakfast, lunch or dinner with a beautiful view, head to C-Bay Bar and Bistro, which overlooks Crantock's golden sandy beach. C-Bay serves everything from home baked cakes and Cornish cream teas, to a bistro evening menu packed with local, seasonal produce and locally-caught fish. As well as the C-Bay restaurant and the bar lounge, you can choose to eat out on the huge sun terrace or garden to soak up the sun and marvel at the view. Dogs are welcome at C-Bay too.
C-Bay Bar & Bistro, West Pentire, Crantock, TR8 5SE (T: 01637 830229)
Set on West Pentire headland, The Bowgie Inn is one of Cornwall's most-loved pubs, with stunning panoramic views of Crantock beach and the Gannel estuary. Whether dining in or soaking up the sun in the pub garden, the views here are breath taking. Enjoy hot drinks and homemade cakes or light bites to warm up post-surf, tuck into the daily specials which champion Cornish produce, or book a table for Sunday lunch by the beach. Due to its popularity, booking is highly recommended. The Bowgie Inn has designed areas for families, while dogs are welcome outside only.
The Bowgie Inn, Crantock, TR8 5SE (T: 01637 830363)
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Crantock beach is a beautiful expanse of soft golden sand backed by grassy dunes on the western shore of the Gannel estuary. Owned and tended to by the National Trust, there's a car park, toilets and cafe nearby, making this a popular spot for families. Not only great for sandcastle-building and sunbathing, Crantock is popular for surfing and bodyboarding, with boards and canoes available to hire from the beach, and lifeguard cover throughout the summer season. On calm days, the turquoise seas are also well worth exploring armed with snorkel and flippers. The South West Coast Path backs the beach, leading to the famous poppy fields of Pentire Point and the secluded Polly Joke cove. Crantock is also dog-friendly all year round.
lovely beach, absolutely huge. very windy but the dogs loved it.
January 2024
Stunning beach and the sunsets are gorgeous. It takes our breath away!
June 2022
Lovely beach,perfect for long walks..only a short walk from out cottage..
April 2022
An enormous beautiful beach that is dog friendly. Waves are amazing so body boarding is great fun. Sand dunes beautiful. Great surf school in national trust car park.
January 2022
Possibly Cornwall’s most famous surfing beach, there’s masses to do here in and out of the water. Surfer’s and spectators alike can enjoy the location all year round on both beautifully calm and adrenaline filled days where Cornwall’s big wave the Cribbar is being surfed by the hardiest of surfers. The International Surfing Centre overlooks the beach and houses a variety of bars, restaurants, shops and surf hire; surf lessons are available through Fistral Beach Surf School, and the beach hosts a range of events throughout the year including Boardmasters in August.
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Sheltered by Pentire Point and sandwiched between the busier beaches of Holywell Bay and Crantock beach, Porth Joke - or Polly Joke to locals - is a stunning, secluded cove. Totally unspoilt, there's a narrow sweep of fine sand and beautiful clear waters. A 15-minute walk from the nearest car park at West Pentire or Cubert Common, it's worth the effort for the peace and serenity. Like its neighbours, Polly Joke is great for swimming, bodyboarding and surfing, but beware that there's no lifeguard cover, nor facilities, so make sure to pack a picnic. At low tide, rockpools and caves are revealed, which are great fun to explore, while during the late spring and early summer, the surrounding headlands bloom with wildflowers. Porth Joke allows dogs throughout the year.