Newquay, Cornwall, England

Newquay, part of the heritage of Devon and Cornwall is explored on an Educational small group tour for senior couples and mature solo travellers seeking to learn about ancient Britain through to the Victorian era.

12 Mar 20 · 4 mins read

Newquay, England

Newquay is a popular seaside resort in Cornwall, England, visited by Odyssey Traveller as part of our tour of Devon and Cornwall.

Beginning in the city of Bristol, our Devon and Cornwall small group tour explores the history of this fascinating region of England, with still-present Celtic traditions and a long and cosmopolitan history as a major exporter of tin to the Mediterranean. Delving into the legends of King Arthur, we visit Tintagel Castle on the north Cornish coast, believed to be the birthplace of the mythical king.

Devon and Cornwall are home to some of England’s most magnificent scenery, varying from the granite headland of Land’s End to the subtropical Tresco Abbey Gardens on the Isles of Scilly. We drive down country lanes, and visit seaside towns such as St Austell and Penzance.

Since 1983, Odyssey Traveller has been serving global couples and solo travellers. Every small group tour is designed for mature and senior travellers who want an authentic experience of place, learning about history, art and culture as they see the world. We offer small group tours of between six to twelve people, led by a travel director and guides chosen for their local knowledge.

Our tour price includes accommodation, the cost of attractions, and several meals. For more information, click here, or follow this link to make a booking.

About Newquay:

Newquay is most famous for its surfing, and is renowned across Britain for it, hosting competitions and even a live music festival and attracting scores of young competitors. It boasts eleven beaches within easy reach, on which those not surfing can enjoy strolls and picnics. The most popular include Bedruthan Steps Beach, Towan Beach, Tolcarne Beach and Crantock, so even in the busier months, there’s plenty of room for everyone on Newquay‘s golden sands, and it’s popular for other water sports as well. Tolcarne beach is also a good place to catch the bus to another Cornwall gem; the botanical gardens of The Eden Project, and for dog lovers, Whipsnerry beach is dog friendly and also sheltered.
Tolcarne Beach, Newquay, Cornwall
Tolcarne Beach, Newquay, Cornwall

History of Newquay and folklore

The area has plenty of mythology and lore, but even the surfers have a legend; that of Cribbar, a wave so big it only comes once every two years. It’s also famous in pop culture; The Beatles Magical Mystery Tour was partially filmed in a Newquay hotel. There’s also lots of history in Newquay. It was first settled in the Iron Age, evidenced by a hill fort which has ditches and six ramparts making it an impressive fortress, and experts claim there was continuously settlement from the 3rd century BC to the 5th or 6th century AD. The Newquay headland is curved, offering natural protection for seafarers, which helped establish precedence for the building of the man made harbour, followed, in the 15th century, by a quay, which gave the town its current name. There has been some thought that this is when the town became known for its fishing as before this it was known as Towan Blistra, which, in native Cornish, means ‘blown sand dune’.

Attractions

As a popular seaside town Newquay offers many attractions, including a zoo, a boating lake, and an aquarium, as well as many pubs, lots of which serve Cornwall’s own St Austell Brewery beer, but it’s also a favourite destination for walkers, as the South West Coast Path, which offers beautiful scenery along 630 miles of the South coast, is easily accessed, running parallel to Newquay‘s main Cliff Road, on which visitors can also find the train station. There are lots of other coastal walking routes nearby for all ages and abilities. Even a stroll down Newquay‘s bustling Narrow cliff offers views out to sea and beach access.
South West Coast Path, Cornwall
South West Coast Path, Cornwall
During the 19th century, it was extremely popular with Victorian holiday makers who could reach the town easily from London by railway as early as 1876, attracted by both beach and climate. It also became known in this time for its wool industry; seven factories local to Newquay supplied the top stores in London.

Articles published by Odyssey Traveller to assist you on your visit to Britain

The following list of articles published by Odyssey Traveller for mature aged and senior travellers to maximise their knowledge and enjoyment of Britain when visiting:

Click here to see our other articles of the British Isles.

External Articles to assist you on your visit to Britain

Related Tours

Tajikstan small group cultural tour

7 days

Jun, Sep

Tajikistan Tour | Central Asian Small Group Tour

Visiting Tajikistan

We explore the country’s astonishing scenery and monuments. Tajikistan is the smallest of the 5 ‘Stans and is also the most mountainous. On our small group tour for couples and solo travelers we encounter many ranges and mountain chains where we reach well over 3,000 metres above sea level while crossing passes.

From A$4,650 AUD

View Tour
Guaranteed
Lanterns in Taiwan

11 days

Feb

Taiwan Lantern Festival small group tour

Visiting Taiwan

A small group tour for senior couples and solo travellers to Taiwan. Held annually on the first full moon of the lunar calendar, the Lantern Festival is one of the most fascinating festivities around the globe. The Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival is part of this spectacular Festival. Our Taiwan Lantern Festival program includes Taipei and its Sky Lantern Festival and its impressive Taipei 101 Tower.

From A$9,150 AUD

View Tour
Guaranteed
Pre-guaranteed
Egypt tour valley of the kings

18 days

Nov, Jan

Egypt tour: escorted small group history & cultural tour of Egypt

Visiting Egypt

Our small group program for senior and mature couples and solo travelers takes us to contemporary feats such as the Aswan Dam and also to current crucibles of the Egyptian experience such as Tahrir Square. Proof, were it needed, that Egypt’s role as the pivot of civilisation is far from ended. There is the opportunity to visit our Morocco, Jordan or Iran tours before embarking on this tour of Egypt.

From A$12,950 AUD

View Tour
Ancient History of Jordan

9 days

Jan, Oct

Ancient History of Jordan | Escorted Small Group Tour

Visiting Jordan

Explore Jordan, visiting its capital city, Amman Jordan, the ancient Desert Castles, Petra and the Dead Sea on a small group package tour for mature and senior travellers travelling as a couple or Solo.

From A$6,750 AUD

View Tour
Venice, Italy

27 days

Dec

European Cities Small Group History and Cultural Winter Tour

Visiting Albania, Croatia

An escorted tour A Journey that commences in Rome and takes in 12 destinations along its journey to Athens. This is an off season small group journey with like minded people. A small group tour across Southern Europe with local guides sharing authentic in-country authentic experiences for mature couples and solo travellers.

From A$17,295 AUD

View Tour
Mizdakhan Cemetery, Nukus, Uzbekistan

27 days

May, Aug

The Stans Small Group Tour: Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan

Visiting Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan

This Odyssey is designed for the adventurous traveller, a couple or solo traveller on a small group tour who is prepared for a range of accommodation styles, for walking excursions and some long travel days in 3 Central Asian countries. The program combines experiences with great scenery, ancient and modern histories, family visits and lifestyles that differ dramatically.

From A$16,750 AUD

View Tour
Shakespeare Drama small group tour Stratford England

10 days

May, Apr

World of Shakespeare | Small Group Tour

Visiting England

This small group tour for mature couples and solo travellers visits Shakespeare's birthplace, Stratford upon Avon and Anne Hathaway's cottage all form part of this small group tour escorted by a tour director and local guides sharing their knowledge on this guided tour. Included are performances in London at the Globe & RSC in Shakespeare's Stratford upon Avon.

From A$8,345 AUD

View Tour
Thaxted Windmill

23 days

Apr

Agrarian and Industrial Britain | Small Group Tour for Mature Travellers

Visiting England, Wales

A small group tour of England that will explore the history of Agrarian and Industrial period. An escorted tour with a tour director and knowledgeable local guides take you on a 22 day trip to key places such as London, Bristol, Oxford & York, where the history was made.

From A$17,275 AUD

View Tour
Habsburg Spain Tudor England

21 days

May, Aug, Sep

Habsburg Spain vs Tudor England: small group tour exploring 16th century history of England & Spain

Visiting England

This holiday with a leading tour operator allows the escorted tour for seniors to explore the life and times of the royal families responsible for making England and Spain so significant in the 16th century with local guides providing the travel experience for the detailed itineraries. We spend 10 days travelling from London to Madrid.

From A$14,295 AUD

View Tour
Pre-guaranteed
Iceland church in Vik

17 days

May, Sep

Iceland cultural and wilderness small group tour

Visiting Iceland

Our escorted tour gives guests an insight into the history of this Icelandic nation. Travelling as a small group, our daily itineraries explore the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon and others, national parks and majestic waterfalls as we learn about Iceland’s natural heritage and its Viking past from experienced local guides. There is a single supplement for solo travellers.

From A$18,995 AUD

View Tour
France small group short tour

11 days

Sep

La Belle France Small Group Short Tour

Visiting France

On this small group tour of France, we visit several culturally significant and picturesque regions of France, including Provence, Champagne, Burgundy. We learn about each region's history from expert local guides with a chance to experience the local culture, and taste the regional cuisine.

From A$11,875 AUD

View Tour
Guaranteed
Small Group escorted tour exploring Historic Ireland

18 days

Aug, Apr, Sep

Small Group tours exploring the Treasures of Ireland

Visiting Ireland

An escorted small group tour to Northern Ireland & Ireland, with local guides and itineraries that give authentic experiences Ireland's capital, Dublin, including 1/2 day tour of St Patricks cathedral and Trinity college. Destinations also Aran islands , Kerry plus the world heritage site, the giant's causeway. Ireland tours for singles over 50 and couples.

From A$12,615 AUD

View Tour

Related Articles

Atlantic Ocean - Punta del Este, Maldonado, Uruguay

Atlantic Ocean and How it Shaped Ancient Communities In Europe

Article of interest for senior couples and mature solo travellers joining a small group European tour to Faroe Islands, Scottish Isles, Morocco or Portugal. Focus is on the early exploration of the Atlantic.

1 Sep 21 · 12 mins read
Read Article
Exploring Britain's Neolithic past

Exploring Britain's Prehistoric Past: The Definitive Guide for Travellers

Article on Britain's neolithic past for small group educational tours for senior couples and mature solo travellers interested in learning about Standing stones, burial chambers, Skara Brae and Stonehenge or Beaker people.

8 Oct 19 · 13 mins read
Read Article
Land's End in Cornwall

Exploring Cornwall

Short article about Cornwall for senior couple and mature solo travelers on a escorted small group tour of England. Join a discovery or a walking tour to learn more about St Michael's Mount, Tintagel the Scilly isles or Penzance within Cornwall.

18 Jul 21 · 7 mins read
Read Article
Lynmouth, Devon

Exploring Devon

Article about Devon for senior and mature small group tours couple and solo travellers interested in stone circles, the Romans or English history including the Industrial revolution.

18 Jul 21 · 6 mins read
Read Article
Tresco Island

Isles of Scilly, England

The Scilly isles form part of a day trip on the escorted small group tour of Devon and Cornwall for seniors and mature travellers. Whilst on this tour the group also visit St Michaels Mount, Penzance, Glastonbury and Tintagel.

1 Apr 20 · 6 mins read
Read Article
Exmoor

Lynton and Lynmouth, England

Article about Lynton and Lymouth for senior couples and mature solo travellers. Explore Devon and Cornwall as part of a small group tour of England by coach or on a walking program.

30 Mar 20 · 5 mins read
Read Article

Join 22,383 like-minded travellers receiving our weekly newsletter.

Special offers and promotions
A$500 AUD first trip travel voucher
The latest tours and articles