A Step Back in Time: History of Newquay

25th October 2022

This week's blog has been kindly written by Holly a freelance writer and self-confessed history buff. Holly loves writing about the amazing places around the UK, some of which are the homes of historic events- some of which really shaped the nation.  

Here is what Holly has written about the 'History of Newquay.' 

Some of the nicest beaches in the UK can be found in Newquay, which is also a top surfing location worldwide. Along with the beauty of its coast, Newquay is rich in history.

When an Iron Age hill fort was constructed approximately 1,600 years ago, Newquay's history began. Newquay is the ideal touring base to delve into Cornwall's history and legend because of its location in the county's center.

Let’s look at Newquay’s history throughout the years.

Prehistoric Era

There are grave mounds, and an embankment called The Barrowfields close to Trevelgue. Of the fifteen barrows, just a couple are still standing. Cooking utensils that had been burned and a grave urn made of coarse pottery containing the remains of a Bronze Age chieftain who may have lived in this area 3,500 years ago were discovered during excavations.

An Iron Age hill fort/industrial centre that made use of the area's abundant resources, iron ore, and the natural defences provided by Trevelgue Head is the earliest indication of the population in the region of Newquay. Allegedly, people lived at the location constantly from the third century BC and the fifth or sixth century AD.

Medieval Times

A tiny fishing community developed, thanks to the headland's natural protection from harsh weather, which curved around Newquay Harbour.

Near the harbour men would keep watch from Huer's Hut in Newquay, Cornwall, for the arrival of the pilchards. The huer would trumpet his arrival or cry "hevva, hevva" before waving branches of trees above his head to point the townspeople in the direction of the fish.

The only other identifiable name in the Newquay region written in the Domesday book is the settlement of Crantock. Around the current harbour and close to "Tewynblustri" (currently transcribed as "Towan Blystra"), a settlement known as "Keye" existed by the 15th century.

In 1439 the local burgesses asked for funds from the Bishop of Exeter, Edmund Lacey, for building a new quay because the anchorage was exposed to the northwest winds.

In the lovely Trenance Gardens, there are a few Grade II listed buildings. These cottages, which date from the 18th century, are one of the few structures still standing that existed before the passenger train in 1876, making them a true historical treasure.

By the fourteenth century, the Arundells of Trerice, who also lived in Trerice Manor, owned Trenance Cottages.

The Trenance Cottage repair has been finished with the help of many local volunteers, charity events, the Heritage Lottery Fund, SITA, Cornwall Council, Newquay Council, Co-operative Society, and the Pilgrim Trust.

Victorian Times

In the 19th century, Newquay’s beaches and alluring atmosphere attracted Victorian tourists. After the arrival of passenger trains in June 1876, visitors could now access the town from London with ease. To start with it only had one platform. The station was rebuilt and expanded in 1905 to meet the rising demand.

Newquay gained notoriety for its thriving woolen textiles after Madame Hawke 1905 began selling her machine-knitted garments. After a sample of the high-quality knitted clothing was given to Debenhams, they commissioned her to be a supplier.

Baptists built Newquay's first church. Before a chapel was built in Newquay in 1858, Anglican residents of that town had to travel to St Columb Minor to attend services. The early English design of the new church was characteristic of the Victorian era.

The church was significantly too tiny due to Newquay's expanding population in the late 19th century, so a new St. Michael-focused church was constructed in 1911. Before being purchased by the Women's Institute and then transformed into a shop, the former church served as the church hall.

Modern Day

The last homes along Henver Road were constructed in the early 1950s. As Coronation Way's name suggests, the Doublestiles estate to the north of Henver Road was also constructed in the early 1950s. Subsequent development transformed the region into the Lewarne Estate and expanded the built-up area to the outskirts of Porth. Forever building the town up to what it is today.

Amazing at Newquay Airport, the Aerohub enterprise zone for aerospace companies was established in April 2012. A £6 million Aerohub Business Park was built, thanks to a September 2014 agreement between the European Regional Development Fund and the UK's Homes and Communities Agency. When a contract with Virgin Orbit was struck in July 2018, the idea to launch spacecraft from a new Spaceport next to the airport progressed. The first launches from there are planned for 2022.

With 1600 years of history, Newquay has undergone a significant cultural shift from a fortified cliff village to a prime tourist resort.