Luxury stays for Boardmasters Festival, Newquay
Boardmasters Festival returns to Newquay from 5th to 9th August 2026, bringing together live music, world-class surfing and five unforgettable days on Cornwall's north coast.
While thousands of festival-goers choose to camp on-site, many visitors are now opting for a more comfortable way to experience the event.
At Cornish Gems, we offer a collection of luxury self-catering holiday homes across Cornwall, from coastal apartments in Newquay to sea-view retreats, dog-friendly cottages and spacious homes for groups.
Whether you're travelling with friends for the weekend or turning Boardmasters into a longer Cornwall holiday, our properties provide the perfect base for your stay.
After a day at Watergate Bay or Fistral Beach, return to a comfortable bed, a hot shower and your own private space rather than a busy campsite. It's festival season, but with all the comforts of home.
Why stay in a holiday home during Boardmasters?
Boardmasters is one of Cornwall's busiest weekends of the year.
Staying in a holiday home gives you the freedom to enjoy the festival while making the most of everything else Cornwall has to offer.
Unlike camping, self-catering accommodation gives you space to relax, cook, socialise and recharge between festival days. Many of our properties also include luxury extras such as hot tubs, sea views, enclosed gardens and dog-friendly facilities.
It's also the ideal option if you're travelling as a group, attending with family members or extending your stay before or after the festival.
The best places to stay for Boardmasters
- Newquay: If you want to be close to the action, Newquay is the obvious choice. Home to Fistral Beach, independent restaurants, surf shops and lively nightlife, it's the perfect base for visitors wanting to immerse themselves in the Boardmasters atmosphere.
- Watergate Bay: Watergate Bay hosts the main festival arena and offers one of Cornwall's most spectacular coastal settings. Staying nearby means less travel time and more time enjoying the festival.
- Mawgan Porth: Just a few miles north of Newquay, Mawgan Porth offers a quieter alternative with a beautiful sandy beach, coastal walks and a more relaxed pace.
- Padstow: For those turning Boardmasters into a luxury Cornwall getaway, Padstow combines award-winning restaurants, boutique shopping and harbour views with easy access to Newquay.
Find your perfect Boardmasters stay
Whether you're looking for a romantic retreat for two, a dog-friendly cottage by the coast or a large holiday home for a group of friends, you'll find a property to suit your stay.
What's on at Boardmasters 2026?
Boardmasters is much more than a music festival. Across Watergate Bay and Fistral Beach, visitors can enjoy live music, world-class surfing, wellness experiences and Cornwall's unique coastal culture.
Music at Watergate Bay
The 2026 line-up includes some of the biggest names in music, with Fatboy Slim, Kasabian, Lily Allen, The Kooks, Loyle Carner, Pendulum Live, Rudimental, James Arthur and Dizzee Rascal all heading to Cornwall.
Expect headline performances, DJ sets, sunset sessions and an unforgettable festival atmosphere on the clifftops above Watergate Bay.
Surfing at Fistral Beach
Fistral Beach is at the heart of Boardmasters' surf heritage, hosting professional surfing competitions and beachside events throughout the festival.
It's the perfect place to soak up Cornwall's surf culture, watch the action from the sand and experience the side of Boardmasters that makes it so unique.
Wellness experiences
For those looking to slow the pace between sets, Boardmasters also offers a growing wellness programme.
New for 2026, festival-goers can enjoy yoga, breathwork, sound baths, creative workshops, spa treatments, saunas and cold-water plunge pools through the Zennor Haven wellness area.
It's the perfect way to recharge before heading back to the music.
Frequently asked questions about Boardmasters
Boardmasters is Cornwall’s biggest music and surf festival, held each summer in Newquay. Taking place across Watergate Bay and Fistral Beach, it combines live music, professional surfing, wellness experiences, food and drink, and Cornwall’s beach culture.
Boardmasters Festival takes place from 5–9 August 2026, bringing five days of music, surfing and coastal events to Newquay.
Boardmasters takes place across two Newquay locations: Watergate Bay and Fistral Beach. Watergate Bay hosts the main music arena, while Fistral Beach is home to the surf competitions and beachside events.
Yes. Many visitors choose holiday cottages, self-catering accommodation and hotels instead of camping on-site, giving them more comfort and flexibility throughout the festival.
Self-catering accommodation gives you more comfort, privacy and space than camping. After a day of live music, surfing and festival activities, you can return to a proper bed, hot shower and your own private retreat.
Cornish Gems offers luxury self-catering stays across Cornwall, including romantic retreats, sea-view apartments, family holiday homes, dog-friendly cottages and larger properties for groups.
Newquay is the most convenient base for both Watergate Bay and Fistral Beach. Porth is ideal for the main arena, while Mawgan Porth offers a quieter coastal setting nearby.
Yes. Newquay is connected by rail, coach and air, with Cornwall Airport Newquay nearby. During the festival, shuttle buses and local transport options help visitors travel between festival sites.
Yes, Cornish Gems offers dog-friendly holiday cottages across Cornwall, so your dog can join you for your wider holiday. However, Boardmasters itself is not dog-friendly, except for assistance dogs, so you’ll need to make suitable arrangements while attending the festival.
Yes. Cornish Gems offers larger holiday homes ideal for groups of friends attending the festival together, with sociable living spaces, multiple bedrooms and room to relax before and after the event.
Absolutely. Many guests extend their stay before or after the festival to explore Cornwall’s beaches, coastal walks, restaurants and attractions.
Boardmasters is one of Cornwall’s busiest summer events, so accommodation near Newquay can book up months in advance. Book early for the best choice of locations, sea views, hot tubs and larger homes.
Book your Boardmasters accommodation
Whether you're heading to Cornwall to see Fatboy Slim at sunset, catch the surf action at Fistral Beach or enjoy a long weekend with friends, Cornish Gems offers a luxury alternative to festival camping.
Browse our collection of holiday homes across north Cornwall or contact our Guest Experience team on 01872 241241 (option 1) to find your perfect Boardmasters base.
Cornwall's best festivals
Not around for Boardmasters? Head to our blog for our complete guide to Cornwall's best festivals.
