Towan Beach

While this beach is actually Towan, many people mistakenly call it ‘Town Beach’ as it is so near to Newquay’s town centre.

Located at the bottom of the aptly named Beach Road, Towan Beach is a stretch of the same soft golden sand found all along Newquay Bay. At low tide, the sand at Towan runs parallel with Great Western Beach and all the other beaches of Newquay Bay to make a flowing 2 mile stretch of beach. However, as the tide comes in, Towan shrinks significantly, becoming a cosy little cove. The rear of the beach is lined with a raised promenade that leads to the grassy clifftop lawns of Killacourt.

Positioned right on the beachfront is the Blue Reef Aquarium, one of Newquay’s most popular tourist attractions. Perhaps the beach’s most iconic feature is ‘the Island’, or Jago’s Island to give it the correct name. This towering stack of rock at the eastern end of the beach seems an unlikely place for a home, but that’s precisely what it is. A house has sat atop this island from the beginning of the twentieth century.

Built in 1901, its various notable owners have included Alexander Lodge, the inventor of the spark plug who entertained guests such as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of Sherlock Holmes. As well as being conveniently located on the town’s doorstep, there are lots of facilities on and around the beach. Disabled access can be arranged via the sand chair hire scheme, and there is a lifeguard service during the summer months.