Bronze Age Barrows to Surf Breaks: A Cornish Audio Tour

Cornwall’s north coast has always been shaped by its relationship with the Atlantic. On this self-guided coastal audio tour, you’ll discover how Newquay became Cornwall’s premier surfing destination – and how it still maintains deep connections to its ancient past. You’ll explore cliff-top paths where Bronze Age settlers once traded tin across Europe, and learn how smugglers, saints, and surfers have all left their mark on these golden shores. You’ll learn how Celtic saints arrived by boat in the 5th century, bringing Christianity to these pagan shores, and how pilchards once fueled Cornwall’s economy before modern fishing practices changed everything. You’ll also find out how local fishermen once resisted the hotel’s construction, even pushing the foreman’s hut into the Atlantic during its controversial beginnings. The tour ends at the Barrowfields, ancient burial mounds dating back over 3,000 years, where Bronze Age traders once gazed out at the same ocean you’ll be admiring.

1. 1

   Fistral Beach

   Pass by

   Walk onto one of Europe's most famous surfing beaches, where powerful Atlantic swells can reach 30 feet when the legendary Cribbar reef is firing. Experience the energy of Newquay's premier surf spot, where international competitions draw the world's best wave riders.

2. 2

   South West Coast Path Walk - Newquay's Twin Headlands from Newquay Station

   Pass by

   Stroll along England's longest marked coastal trail, following dramatic clifftop routes carved by centuries of coastal traders and smugglers. Explore ancient pathways that wind past hidden coves and rocky headlands, offering stunning ocean views at every turn.

3. 3

   Stop 3

   Pass by

   Discover this wilder, more secluded cove tucked beside its famous neighbour, where rugged cliffs shelter golden sands from the crowds. Enjoy a quieter Atlantic experience where locals still gather to catch waves away from the main beach bustle.

4. 4

   Newquay Harbour

   Pass by

   Visit the working harbour that gave the town its name when permission to build a "new quay" was granted in 1439. Explore the historic waterfront where fishing boats still land their catches, connecting Newquay to its maritime heritage.

5. 5

   Stop 5

   Pass by

   Marvel at the unique Island House, accessed by the UK's only privately-owned suspension bridge spanning a dramatic coastal gorge. Walk across this Victorian engineering feat that connects the mainland to a house perched on its own rocky island.

6. 6

   The Huers Hut

   Pass by

   Explore the weathered stone lookout where 19th-century watchmen once shouted "Hevva!" to alert fishermen when massive pilchard shoals appeared offshore. Stand where generations of huers scanned the Atlantic, their warnings once determining the town's entire economy.

7. 7

   Stop 7

   Pass by

   Pass the historic cellars where Cornish women once packed thousands of pilchard barrels destined for Mediterranean markets. Discover how these underground storage rooms powered Newquay's fishing industry before modern practices changed everything.

8. 8

   Stop 8

   Pass by

   Walk among ancient Bronze Age burial mounds dating back over 3,000 years, where prehistoric traders once gazed at the same Atlantic horizon. Explore these sacred earthworks that connect you to Cornwall's earliest coastal settlers.

9. 9

   Stop 9

   Pass by

   Marvel at the grand Victorian hotel perched dramatically on Fistral headland, made famous as the filming location for Roald Dahl's The Witches in 1990. Discover how local fishermen once resisted its construction by pushing the foreman's hut into the sea.

10. 10

    Stop 10

    Pass by

    Stroll down Newquay's oldest working thoroughfare, which has evolved from a narrow fishing artery into a bustling tourist hotspot. Walk the same street that generations of fishermen, smugglers, and traders once used to move goods from harbour to town.

11. 11

    Stop 11

    Pass by

    Follow the remains of Treffry's industrial tramway that once connected Cornwall's inland mines to the harbour below. Explore the engineered route where horses once pulled wagons loaded with copper and tin destined for global markets.

12. 12

    Tolcarne Beach

    Pass by

    Pass this popular sandy cove where local legends tell tales of mermaids spotted among the waves and rocks. Enjoy the sheltered beach that draws families and swimmers seeking calmer waters than neighbouring Fistral.

• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.