Live surfside
Nowhere does working life like Newquay. Cornwall-based creative professional Hayley Lawrence explores what it’s like to live in the UK’s most creative surfside town.
This is your time to change the rules. It’s never been easier to work from anywhere, so make that somewhere that counts. Newquay. Where you can run your business beachside. Where your laptop blinks for attention, but the seascapes wink back brighter. Beckoning you out for a wake-me-up surf, a mood-shifting sea dip, or a mind-sharpening coast run. Just stepping out for lungfuls of sea air will fine-tune your focus for work-day success.
Here, sandy toes and salty locks are workaday attire. Wetsuits and muddy trainers dry between emails, spreadsheets and strategic planning. The whip of the sea breeze always ready to bring you back to the moment. When the surf’s up, take a break. Brain fog? Take a jog. Or a brisk stomp to the headland, where a blowhole explodes with a mighty boom; nature’s gong reminding you to stop and take notice.
Credit: @ella.exploring
“As a digital creative, Newquay’s the perfect spot to work, network and take breaks from busy office life to surf, swim or run – which energises me to do better work.” Says Elliot Walker, founder of Coast 360 digital marketing agency.
“There's nothing like a dip in the ocean to clear your head and get the creative juices flowing!”
Be part of it
But living in Newquay isn’t just about flexing your schedule to nature’s rhythm. It’s about being part of a thriving creative community that’s connected to a big business world. “Being in Newquay allows me to connect and collaborate with like-minded individuals, some of whom become clients or co-workers.” Elliot continues. “It's a community of hard-working individuals who all share a love of the coast.”
“As a digital creative, Newquay’s the perfect spot to work, network and take breaks from busy office life to surf, swim or run”
Credit: Winston Tjia
Here, casting away from office life doesn’t forfeit being part of a cool, creative tribe. On the contrary. Newquay’s remote working community is doing big things from the beach. The faces you meet in the waves and on the shoreline are entrepreneurs, activists and game changers, all working hard to create the lives they want to live.
“As co-owner of a communications agency, having inspiring workspaces where I can feel both energised and productive is really important to me.” Says Jojo White, who helms her action sport comms agency surfside in Newquay. “I split my time between SeaSpace and the Ho House co-working space near Fistral, which is great for networking and a shared remote working community – their social events are first rate!”
The best balance
Wherever you’re working from, you can always easily nip out to networking events at hip hubs like the House of Glass café. Share the sofa with surf media honchos at Project 83. Have meet-ups at tapas bars, coffee houses and comedy nights. You can even hire a jungle-inspired meeting room for your next presentation. Not forgetting that the airport’s just minutes away for those can’t-miss meetings in the city.
In the creative working culture mix, SeaSpace is fast becoming a magnet for the remote working digital nomads; their laptops and leisure gear at the ready for a breezy work-life balance by the sea. They meet, eat and work in the café and restaurant, fuelling up on Cornish coffee, superfoods and sea views. Rebooting with a swim or surf, padel or Pilates, gym or spin. Expansive views feeding expansive thinking. Agendas always set to free-o-clock.
Credit: Sam Rodgers @oyogo
“Being part of a remote working community, and being able to combine work with fitness – as well as being a place I can bring my family at weekends – really drew me to SeaSpace,” says JoJo White. “Whether it’s a surf, coast run, pool or gym session, it’s so easy to do from here. I also love the design aesthetic and their commitment to sustainability.”
“Whether it’s a surf, coast run, pool or gym session, it’s so easy to do from here.”
For many professionals looking to dip their toes in a creative surfside scene, SeaSpace is a great option. With discounted extended stays available you get the freedom to see what it’s like to live to the beat of the tides. A high-spec studio apartment designed for digital nomad life. No ties. No tenancy agreement. No commitment. No rent deposit. A space to call your own for as long as you want. Working life, your way.
Early work calls in your apartment. Sunrise surfs at Watergate Bay. Lunch meetings in the café. A kitchen to cook-in; a self-service larder when you’ve missed the shops. A walk-in shower where you can whip off your wetsuit and be online in an instant. Storage so you can bring everything you need and stay a little longer.
All just a beach walk or Beryl bike from the hub of Britain’s most creative coastal town. See you there, yeah?
