Shopping in Newquay

Newquay is the surfing capital of the UK, so when walking along the high street, it can feel like every other shop has something to do with surfing. In fact, Newquay has two Fat Willy’s Surf Shack locations at either end of the high street. They’ve been one of the south-west’s most popular brands for over 30 years, and you can pay them a visit for wetsuits, board shorts, bikinis and iconic casual clothing for both kids and adults.

If you’re in Newquay with the intention of hopping from surf shop to surf shop, you really won’t be disappointed, as familiar brands like Animal, Fat Face, Saltrock and Weird Fish have all set up shop here. Our favourite is Watershed on Bank Street. It started out in Newquay as a concept store in 2012, stocking and importing cool products that previously weren’t available in the UK. They saw gaps in what they were able to find, so in 2015, they decided to start designing their own clothing and accessories. They’re well worth checking out, plus there's a café upstairs when you need to take a break from your retail therapy.

If you’re looking to take to the waves yourself, you can buy or hire boards from places like Slide and Glide Surf. Meanwhile, Custard Point near the Blue Reef Aquarium has been designing and shaping their own custom surfboards in Newquay since 1983. And they’re good, having been featured in magazines, TV ads and ridden in professional surf championships. It’s here where ‘The Mini Mal’ – the now-staple beginners’ board – was born. And in 1997, it was also the home of the world’s largest surfboard – measuring in at a whopping 37 feet.

As you’d expect from a town centre high street, you can also pop into familiar shops like Boots, Clarks and Argos. Plus, there’s a Superdry too. There’s also the weird and wonderful. Razzmatazz describes themselves as an ‘Aladdin’s cave of ethnic, spiritual and handcrafted gifts from all over the world’. Amidst their wares, you’ll find incense, crystals, jewellery, homeware and clothing.

Sweets are always a decent purchase down on the south coast, whether you’re buying as a gift for someone or a treat for yourself. Roly’s Fudge Pantry on Bank Street has been around for over 30 years, selling some of the most dangerously moreish, magnificently crumbly fudge you’re ever likely to eat. They started out in 1987 from a farmhouse cottage kitchen, and have now grown to nearly 40 locations, with the fudge being freshly handmade in-store every day. Another option is The Cornish Sweet Shop, where you’ll find a fine selection of things your dentist will tell you off for eating – liquorice, nougat, rock… the lot, basically.