Visiting Padstow? Let me show you around! This destination guide covers the history and highlights of this pretty town including getting there by train or plane and finding the best fish restaurants in Padstow – there are dozens to choose from!
We’ve a full list of Padstow attractions such as the National Lobster Hatchery and Prideaux Place plus sea safaris, watersports, festivals, restaurants and local gems. We also provide the low-down on the best sandy beaches around Padstow and include ten fabulous things to do with kids. You’ll never want to leave!
Padstow is one of the most popular places to visit in North Cornwall, and it’s not hard to see why. Located on the west bank of the meandering River Camel, this sheltered harbour town is 15 miles northeast of Newquay and a similar distance from Bodmin and by road from Polzeath. The population of around 3000, swells many times over during the summer holiday season.
The narrow winding streets and quintessential harbour provide plenty of photo ops and family-friendly activities from shopping, boat trips and fishing charters to crabbing from the quayside.
Of course, the thriving fishing harbour led to it becoming one of the most famous places for gastronomic seafood restaurants, put on the map by TV celebrity chef Rick Stein and his family. Such was the success, it led to Padstow being nicknamed “Padstein”. Michelin star chef Paul Ainsworth followed suit and now owns a couple of upscale Italian eateries in Padstow. You’ll find a plethora of exquisite dining options at Cornish prices that are considerably easier on the pocket than similar restaurants in London.
Padstow has a long and colourful history dating back to Celtic times. It’s hard to imagine it now, but this modest riverside harbour was an important port on the trading route between South Wales, Ireland, Brittany and further afield. As well as being a major hub for pilchard fishing, during the 16th century, Padstow harbour also exported Cornwall’s rich mining wealth of tin, copper and slate.
All this history and heritage is still celebrated through a season of festivals including the ‘Obby ‘Oss Festival on May Day and Mummers’ Day around Christmas. They’re definitely worth a visit to see.
Today, Padstow is the home of the National Lobster Hatchery, the kicking-off point for walking and cycling along the scenic Camel Trail, a ferry ride from watersports at Rock and surrounded by stunning attractions and beautiful sandy beaches. We’ve got them all covered for you in detail below, along with local tips on things to do with kids, best time to visit Padstow and where to find the best fish and chips you’ve ever tasted. It’s enough to make you up-sticks and move there!
- Want to know how to get to Padstow and then get around? Start here!
- Summer or winter? Here’s guidance on the best times to visit
- A little Padstow history
- Fun things to see and do in Padstow
- Days out from Padstow
- Best kept secrets in Padstow
- Where and what to eat in Padstow
- Best place for a Cornish cream tea
- Bars and night spots in Padstow
- Celebrate cultural events and festivals Padstow-style!
- Best beaches in and around Padstow
- Cool things to do with kids so they’ll never be bored!
- Must-photograph spots in Padstow
Padstow: Getting there and getting around
Most visitors drive to Cornwall so they have use of a car for exploring the area. The M5/ A30 brings you within ten miles of Padstow, finishing at a slower pace along the A39. Try to avoid arriving on Saturday afternoons in summer as the sheer weight of traffic can bring the A30 to a standstill in places.
There are plenty of trains to Newquay, Padstow’s most convenient station. They usually come via Bristol Temple Mead or direct from London Paddington which takes around 5¼ hours. Other trains are not practical as they involve a final leg by bus from Bodmin Parkway St via the Go Cornwall Bus # 11 which takes over an hour to complete the journey.
Newquay Airport is just a 25-minute taxi ride from Padstow, with direct flights from London taking just 75 minutes. Currently Newquay Airport is served by EasyJet, Eastern, British Airways and Loganair. It has direct flights to / from London Gatwick, London Heathrow, Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Newcastle, Teesside and Aberdeen with some international routes including Dublin.
Expect a taxi from Newquay airport/ railway station to your holiday cottage in Padstow to cost around £45.
Padstow is a compact harbour town with narrow traffic-free streets near the quay. It’s easy to explore the town on foot or along the South West Coast Path. There’s a foot ferry across to Rock that runs year-round. If you fancy exploring by bus, there’s a slow-but-scenic bus service to Wadebridge, Newquay (70 mins) and Bodmin.
Best time to visit Padstow
Padstow is a popular family holiday destination and is at its busiest and most expensive during the school holidays, from mid-July to the Summer Bank Holiday in late August. Padstow is also busy on the May Day Bank Holiday and during Christmas / New Year due to its famous festivals.
The best time to visit Padstow weather-wise is in July. As well as being the hottest month, with an average high of 19°C, July is also the driest month. It has an average 5cm rainfall over 11 showery days, compared to November which has 20 rainy days with around 12.5cm total precipitation.
Outside the peak summer season, Padstow is a great place for a break. Enjoy early spring warmth and late summer holidays when the area is less crowded and still enjoyable. Winter breaks can be fun with mild temperatures and definitely no show. Most local pubs and businesses remain open, including cafes. The driest months to visit Padstow are between December and March, although it can be windy.
If you want to enjoy a stay in Padstow with warm weather, less crowds and lower prices, May, June, September and early October are all good times to visit.
A little Padstow history
Originally known as “Adelstowe”, Padstow gets its name from the old English Petroc-stow referring to the settlement of Saint Petroc. He founded a monastic settlement in 520AD where the parish church now stands. The settlement grew up around the monastery and his shrine became a lucrative place of pilgrimage.
Viking raiders destroyed the monastery in 981AD so the monks moved to the sister church in Bodmin, taking the saint’s relics with them. The original 6th century monastery was replaced with the lovely 13th century St Petroc’s Church seen today.
Padstow has several authentic Cornish crosses with their typical round headed cross on top of an inscribed pillar. Many of these cultural monuments in Cornwall date back to mediaeval times. Check out the four-holed head cross at the Elizabethan estate of Prideaux Place. Another Cornish Cross is embedded in the wall in the old vicarage garden in Padstow and there are remains of a decorated cross shaft in the churchyard.
The ancient ‘Obby ‘Oss Festival on May Day is one of Cornwall’s oldest festivals, rooted in pagan fertility rites and the celebration of spring. As well as a parade with the ‘Obby ‘Oss cavorting through the streets, local folk songs, dancing and music are all part of the lively street celebrations.
In the past, Padstow survived as a fishing village and port on the sheltered Camel Estuary exporting tin, lead, copper, slate, cured fish and dairy produce. It’s hard to believe it now when you see the small harbour, but it once traded hemp, iron and jute from Russia, timber from Norway, salt and wine from France and was a major departure point for emigrants to Canada in the 19th century.
In 1899, Padstow shifted from shipbuilding, mining and fishing to tourism with the arrival of the North Cornwall Railway, part of the London and South Western Railway. The line closed in 1967 and the lovely station house is now home to Padstow Town Council. The railway was re-purposed as part of the popular traffic-free Camel Trail.
Fun things to see and do in Padstow
There are plenty of fun activities to do in and around Padstow starting with…
The National Lobster Hatchery is a unique attraction, located at the west end of the harbour on South Quay. The award-winning Visitor Centre provides full information about this marine attraction which hatches and releases baby lobsters as part of a conservation project to boost lobster stocks. See tiny baby lobster hatchlings and other crustaceans and learn about the important conservation work done at this one-of-a-kind attraction. You can even sponsor and name your own lobster until it is released!
Crabbing is a strangely sociable pastime enjoyed along the harbour wall in Padstow. If you can’t bring yourself to drop a line with bait and haul-up sizeable crabs (catch and release, of course) it’s almost as much fun to watch youngsters. Bring or buy a line, bucket, net and bait (bacon bits are best so don’t be conned into buying overpriced packs of tiny fish bait). See kids’ beaming faces and share their excitement when they get a bite!
Prideaux Place is a pretty Elizabethan Manor surrounded by historic gardens with a 17th century temple and old stables. It has been the home of the Prideaux family for 14 generations making it one of the oldest houses of continuous habitation in the southwest. Take a guided tour of the home, see the deer being fed and tuck into a tasty lunch in the tea room or gardens.
Days out from Padstow…
Padstow makes a great base for exploring further afield whether you’re into nature, history, watersports or family-friendly activities…
Exploring the Camel Estuary and countryside along the traffic-free Camel Trail is a must. You can walk or rent bikes from Padstow Bike Centre and cycle the 18-mile route to Wenford Bridge where the Snail’s Pace Cafe awaits. Don’t forget it’s another 18 miles back again! It’s a flat and easy route. Stops can be made at Wadebridge for fish and chips or a tasty Barnecutt’s pasty. You can also take a break at Bodmin Jail, Camel Valley Vineyard at Nanstallon, and the neighbouring Camel Trail Tea Garden at Nanscarne for a cream tea.
Hop aboard the Rock Ferry that carries passengers across the Camel Estuary to Rock, a celebrity haunt made famous by William and Kate in their student days. The ferry runs every 20 minutes and costs £3 return for adults. It’s a popular spot for yachting, windsurfing, water-skiing, swimming and watersports on the Camel Estuary. Relax on the beautiful sandy beach or enjoy a scenic walk along the Coast Path over Brea Hill to Daymer Bay.
For a longer trip on the water, book one of the coastal sightseeing cruises or a fishing trip. Padstow Sealife Safari offers one and two-hour sea safaris to spot local grey seals, porpoises, basking sharks and sunfish as you explore the scenic coastline. If you’re lucky you’ll meet Sammy the Seal and Flip the Dolphin! Alternatively, cruise up the meandering Camel River spotting birds and wildlife and hearing tales of Padstow’s history and legends.
Bodmin has lots to see and do in this historic former county seat. There are plenty of shops, pubs and cafes in the town centre as well as the beautiful Shire Hall, now housing the Visitor Centre. Look out for the Honey Street Drill Hall, used for training WW1 reservists, and the Grade II listed Lunatic Asylum and star-shaped Hospital, now converted into tasty accommodation. The grim Victorian Bodmin Jail overlooks the Camel Trail. Check out the Governor’s Office and cells as part of the immersive Bodmin Jail Experience. It unlocks the secrets of Bodmin’s lengthy history through state-of-the-art technology and theatrical effects.
The eco-friendly Eden Project continues to remain relevant and green with a diversity of plants from around the world. Just 21 miles from Padstow, it offers tropical and Mediterranean biomes, outdoor gardens and the Invisible Worlds exhibition. There’s always something new going on with timely lessons in eco-conservation and sustainability. If you fancy a bird’s eye view of the attraction, head to the thrilling Zipwire and Giant Swing attraction at neighbouring Hangloose.
Best kept secrets in Padstow
Here are a few attractions that most visitors overlook!
Visit Padstow Museum on a rainy day. For some reason it is completely overlooked by visitors who miss out on a treasure trove of local info. It’s free to enter and provides fascinating local information with knowledgeable volunteers on hand to answer your questions. It might be small, but it’s crammed with exhibits and local stories that bring Padstow’s history vividly to life.
Started in a converted surf shower in 2013, Padstow Brewing Co. is now an award-winning microbrewery with tours, a Visitor Centre and a Tasting Room. Guided 90-minute brewery tours take you through the whole process from barley grain to bottling with plenty of samples along the way. The brewery is on the outskirts of Padstow on the Trecerus Industrial Estate where it brews in small batches with the usual Cornish quirkiness. Try the Lemony Snicket Beer if you like lemon curd with your hops! If you just want to relax with a pint and nibbles (or a glass of wine, gin or cider) the friendly Tasting Room in the former Post Office building on Duke Street is the place to head for.
There are plenty of gorgeous sandy beaches near Padstow but one of the best hidden hideaways is Hawker’s Cove. Even on the sunniest summer’s day it’s rarely crowded as there is a lack of parking and a tricky access down the cliffs on a footpath, but it’s worth the effort. Of course, there’s no beach shop, lifeguard service or loos, but what a price to pay for having a beautiful 1.5-mile-long sandy beach almost entirely to yourself! There’s an old coastguard station and a former lifeboat house where the Padstow branch of the RNLI formed in 1855. It’s now relocated to Trevose Head. At high water the beach all but disappears and you can see waves breaking over the treacherous Doom Bar at the mouth of the estuary.
The Grade I listed St Enodoc Church was lost in the sand dunes for centuries before recently being uncovered. It is the final resting lace of Poet Laureate Sir John Betjeman. You’ll find it on the golf course overlooking Daymer Bay and it’s well worth the coastal walk with stunning views.
Eating and drinking in Newquay
You don’t have to love fish and seafood to visit Padstow, but it helps! Gourmands and gastronomes will appreciate Padstow’s upmarket seafood restaurants and dining scene, but there are plenty of regular pubs, takeaways and cafes too. When it comes to drink, Padstow is home to Tarquin’s Gin and Padstow Brewery so there’s plenty to tantalise your tastebuds!
There’s always a friendly welcome and a buzzing atmosphere – just what you want on a chilly January day in Cornwall!
Burgers, pasties and take-aways
If you’re on a tight budget or just fancy a take-away, we have some great suggestions here…
Stein’s Fish and Chips
Catering to all budgets, Stein’s Fish and Chips is a great way to sample the quality produce and high standards that epitomise all Stein’s restaurants, but at a lower price point. Located on South Quay overlooking the harbour you can dine in or take away a delicious meal of battered cod and chips, lemon sole, sea bass, scampi, tasty burgers and more.
Address: South Quay, Padstow, PL28 8BL
Open: Monday to Sunday 12:00 until 15:00 and 17:00 until 20:00
Call 01841 532700 to place a takeaway order
Barnecutt’s Bakery
You’ve probably heard me singing the praises of Barnecutt’s as honestly they make the best Cornish pasties in the southwest. Forget cold pastry, bland fillings and plastic wrapped imitations, these real Cornish pasties have crisp pastry crammed full of steak, potatoes and swede, perfectly seasoned to leave you smacking your lips.
The nearest place to Padstow where you can pick up a freshly baked Barnecutt’s pasty is at The Bakery in St Merryn – but go before 1pm or they could be sold out!
Address: Niles Place, St Merryn, PL28 8NF
Open: Monday to Saturday 07:30 until 15:00
Sunny Thai Food Takeaway
If you fancy a seriously good take-away, Sunny Thai Food offers delicious Thai and Pan-Asian food made by Sunny himself. It’s on Padstow Main Road and here’s a tip. You can park free in the Tesco car park and nip in to pick up your pre-ordered meal. They recommend you book online 24 to 48 hours ahead and state your time of collection.
Address: Padstow Main Road Car Park, A389, Padstow, PL28 8EX
Open: Thursday & Friday 16:00 until 22:00
Call 07444 315163 to place your order
Recommended restaurants in Padstow
Padstow is one of the few places where you can see fish and shellfish being unloaded onto the quay and then find yourself eating it just a few hours later at one of the fish restaurants the town is famous for. Naming just a few of my favourite restaurants in Padstow is a tough one, but these have made the cut!
The Seafood Restaurant
This is the flagship restaurant of the Stein family’s epicurean empire as it’s where it all kicked off in 1975. Sit up at the Seafood Bar for a platter of oysters, langoustines and sashimi or book a table on the terrace overlooking the Camel Estuary.
Feast on seafood pasta, seared salmon and Cornish Lobster or a platter of “fruits de mer”. While the menu is top-notch, diners are welcome to dress as they please – no snobbish dress code, although most diners treat this special venue as an occasion to dress up.
Address: Riverside, Padstow, PL28 8BL
Open: Monday to Thursday 12:00 until 14:30 and 17:15 until 21:00, Friday 12:00 until 14:30 and 17:15 until 21:30, Saturday 12:00 until 21:30, Sunday 12:00 until 21:00
Book a table at The Seafood Restaurant
Paul Ainsworth At No6
Paul Ainsworth’s is the only Michelin star restaurant in Padstow so if you’re a bit of a foodie snob you’ll want to dine here. Set in a Georgian townhouse, the restaurant has a beautiful dining room and an a la carte menu to match. Expect to dine on the very best British cuisine focusing on seasonal Cornish produce.
They do a fabulous four course set menu at prices you’ll be pleasantly surprised at, but there are no vegan options. For lighter options take a seat at the homely Ci Ci’s Bar and enjoy intensively flavoursome morsels from the Pintxos menu with a glass of something chilled.
Address: 6 Middle Street, Padstow PL28 8AP
Open: Tuesday to Saturday 11:45 until 14:00 and 17:00 until 20:30
Book a table at Paul Ainsworth at No6
Caffe Rojano
Another Paul Ainsworth epic is Caffe Rojano which serves a medley of Italian and Mediterranean dishes with imagination and culinary flair. This smart brasserie also has a glass-enclosed terrace and a mouthwatering menu of Cornish seafood cooked in Mediterranean techniques.
Small plates, black truffle hot dogs and Cornish hake with mussels and pesto broth are divine! The menu also caters for all preferences with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.
Address: 9 Mill Square, Padstow, PL28 8AE
Open: Monday to Sunday 12:00 until 21:30
Book a table at Caffe Rojano
Embers
If you’re stomach’s begging for a break from all this rich and satiating fare, Embers on Market Place is a fabulous wood-fired pizza place where you can eat-in or take away. They use authentic Italian tomatoes and buffalo cheese to create the best wood-fired pizzas in town.
For afters, try the Italian gelato made on the premises. It’s served on a waffle and is the ultimate creamy dessert.
Address: 16 Market Place, Padstow, PL28 8AL
Open: Monday to Saturday 12:00 until 14:00 and 17:00 until 21:00, Sunday 17:00 until 21:00 (takeout only)
Book a table at Embers
Stein’s at Home
Let me throw in something completely different! Stein’s at Home is the perfect dining choice if you’re planning a romantic evening in and don’t mind doing a little food prep yourself.
Fancy Lobster Thermidor for two with parmesan cheese and new potatoes in a vermouth sauce? This at-home box prepared by Jack Stein is delivered right to the door of your holiday cottage in Padstow. It includes a grilled scallop starter with sourdough bread and coriander butter, a heavenly dessert of chocolate pave dessert and a handpicked bottle of wine to complement the menu.
Best of all, once you’re full you can relax and put your feet up, as you’re already home!
Available for delivery every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday
Order your Stein’s At Home box
Top places for breakfast / brunch in Padstow
Padstow has some great breakfast places to kickstart the day…
Rick Stein’s Cafe
Celeb chef Rick Stein proves that even breakfast does not have to be predictable and boring with a fabulous breakfast menu to have you setting the alarm clock extra early!
Fresh waffles with caramelised banana, hazelnuts and chocolate make a nice change from Cocopops while the smoked salmon and scrambled eggs with red onion and capers. Baker’s Toms toasted bread is out of this world. Believe me!
Address: 10 Middle Street, Padstow, PL28 8AP
Open: Thursday to Monday 12:00 until 15:00 and 17:00 until 21:00
Book a table at Rick Stein’s Cafe
Ben’s Crib Box Cafe
Families will appreciate the easy-going ambience of this laid-back quayside cafe that’s a great place for a hearty full English breakfast or just a granola pot and a strong black coffee. The Crib B Special includes scrambled eggs, bacon, hash browns, cheese and a healthy avocado salsa on the side. Yum!
Address: S Quay, Padstow, PL28 8BL
Open: Monday to Saturday 08:00 until 14:30
Call 07851 604350 to place a takeaway order
Greens of Padstow
Anyone for golf with their greens? Located on the North Quay with panoramic views of the town and Camel Estuary. Greens of Padstow has something very unique on their menu – a mini golf course!
This licensed cafe serves glorious food Tuesdays through Saturdays. Try the Bartender Breakfast that includes a glass of Buck’s Fizz or a Bloody Mary to start the day! We have to mention they do a mouthwatering steak on their evening menu, so make sure you return!
Address: North Quay, Padstow, PL28 8AF
Open: Monday to Sunday 10:00 until 22:00 – Winter: Monday to Saturday 10:00 until 16:00
Book a table at Greens of Padstow
Jo Jo’s Kitchen
For a smoothie breakfast or a lighter option, Jo Jo’s on Duke street is the perfect breakfast spot in Padstow. Whether you’re in the mood for a tasty fresh fruit pot of berries and grapes or a classic breakfast sandwich and a caffeine fix, this is the place!
Address: 14 Duke Street, Padstow, PL28 8AB
Open: Monday to Friday 09:00 until 16:00
Best place for cream tea in Padstow
You can’t visit Cornwall and not crave a cream tea! Here’s are some of the best places to indulge…
Berryfield’s Farm
Situated on a park just outside Padstow, Berryfield’s Farm Holiday Park at Porthcothan Bay is just the place to enjoy a rich clotted cream tea. Served with love, their heart-shaped scones are fresh from the oven and ripe for slathering with fruity strawberry preserve, a dollop of cream and a side of fresh strawberries. That’s what I call a nice touch!
Address: Berryfields Holiday Park, Porthcothan Bay, Padstow, PL28 8PW
Open: 1st May to 30th September Monday, Tuesday & Thursday to Sunday 12:00 until 17:30
Call 01841 520178 to book a table at Berryfield’s Farm
Min’s Tea Rooms
Take a short but scenic drive out to St Merryn where this quaint Cornish Tea Room is known for its afternoon tea. Opt for a slice of homemade cake and a pot of tea or coffee, or go the whole hog with a full cream tea and service with a smile!
Address: 2 Deer Park Shop Road, St Merryn, PL28 8NQ
Open: Monday to Sunday 09:30 until 15:00
Call 01841 520691 to book a table at Nin’s Tea Rooms
Rest-a-While Tea Garden
For an indulgent afternoon, stroll along the coastal path to the Rest-a-While Tea Garden near serene Hawker’s Cove. They serve decadent cream teas in the lovely back garden overlooking views of the Camel Estuary. The walk will assuage any guilt as you tuck into those calorie-loaded scones with jam and cream!
Address: 7 Coastguard Houses, Hawkers Cove, Padstow, PL28 8HW
Open: 1st April to 31st October Monday to Sunday 11:00 until 15:00
Call 01841 532919 to book a table at Rest-a-While Tea Garden
Bars & night spots in Padstow
Padstow is not a place to head for if you want a heady nightlife (that’s Newquay!), but there are a few nice places to spend a pleasant evening in good company.
Ruby’s Bar
Another establishment in the Stein stable, Ruby’s Bar is in the heart of Padstow right next to St Petroc’s Bistro. It’s a great place for lingering over pre-dinner cocktails, sharing a bottle of champagne, or enjoying a nightcap after dinner. It has a mellow ambience and an extensive menu of gins, wines, beers and aged whiskey to round off any evening with friends.
Address: 18 Broad St, Padstow, PL28 8BS
Open: Thursday to Sunday 17:00 until 23:00
Call 01841 532700 to book a table at Ruby’s Bar
The Harbour Inn
With its stone fireplace and eclectic maritime decor, the Harbour Inn is a place oozing smuggling history. Located on Strand Street, it’s open till late every night and does pub food along with cask ales, ciders and lager. There’s a pool table, comfy sofas and a log fire but it’s definitely not party central! You have to make your own entertainment here!
Address: Strand Street, Padstow, PL28 8BU
Open: Monday to Sunday 12:00 until 23:00, last food orders at 20:30
Rafferty’s
Just three miles from Padstow, Rafferty’s Cafe Wine Bar is in the pretty village of St Merryn. Irish owner Ed has served his time under Rick Stein and Hugh Fearnely-Whittingstall before setting up on his own. The stylish cocktail bar is the perfect place for the evening with a great vibe and live music on select nights.
Address: St Merryn, PL28 8NA
Open: Tuesday to Saturday 17:30 until 22:30
Book a table at Rafferty’s
Celebrate cultural events and festivals in Padstow
Padstow has four main festivals including two that are rooted in Celtic history and Cornish folklore.
‘Obby ‘Oss Festival
The ‘Obby ‘Oss features in several festivals in Cornwall, including the May Day celebrations in Padstow when it heralds spring. On the eve of May Day, locals gather outside the Golden Lion to sing the “Night Song”. The town is dressed in greenery, flowers and flags with a Maypole as the focal point of the activities.
The old and new ‘Obby ‘Osses (wooden hobby horses) and their “riders” parade the streets along with masked “teasers” who prod them with sticks. The town is full of food stalls, music and entertainment and if you can find a parking spot, it’s well worth joining in!
Mummer’s Day
Previously known as Darkie Day or Mummer’s Day, this event takes place in Padstow on Boxing Day and again on New Year’s Day. Celebrated across Cornwall between Christmas and the Twelfth Night, these festivals were known as “Darkie Days” being in mid-winter when days were shortest. This ancient pagan tradition centres on guise dancing and usually included a play by Mummers who originally blackened their faces and performed Minstrel songs for tips.
Padstow Vintage Rally and Country Fair
A popular three-day event on the first weekend in July, the Padstow Vintage Rally and Country Fair features a fun rally around the country lanes followed by a beer tent with live entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights. The Main Ring has food and trade stalls and there are tractors, vintage vehicles and steam engines on display as well as a farm corner of rare breeds.
Padstow Christmas Festival
The first weekend in December sees Padstow Christmas Festival celebrate the season with food-filled festivities. It’s a great chance to see celebrity chefs in action including Jack Stein, Paul Ainsworth, and Rick Stein if you’re lucky! The Christmas Market is laden with crafts and foodie gifts and the Christmas Lights decorate the old town streets.
Best beaches in and around Padstow
Padstow is a riverside port but it has plenty of gorgeous sandy beaches within easy reach. These are the closest beaches to Padstow, between ½ and 2 miles away.
- St George’s Cove is the closest sandy beach to Padstow just half a mile north of the quay on the west side of the Camel Estuary facing Rock. It’s named after St George’s Holy Well which is just behind the beautiful beach. Nearest car park is ½ mile away at the quay.
- Harbour Cove / Tregirls Beach is just north of St George’s Cove and has 1.5 miles of wide golden sand backed by dunes. Quiet and dog-friendly year-round with a car park.
- Hawker’s Cove is at the mouth of the Camel Estuary overlooking Doom Bar, a treacherous sand bar responsible for hundreds of shipwrecks in its time. Sandy and quiet as its tricky to reach on foot.
- Across the estuary from Padstow, Rock Beach is easy to reach by passenger ferry. It has a long stretch of sand, clear sheltered waters and is popular for yachting and watersports.
- Daymer Bay is the best beach near Padstow, in my opinion. The gently sloping sandy beach and sheltered waters are great for swimming and dogs are welcome year-round.
- Trevone Bay is popular with surfers and families with a deep sandy cove and rock pools. It has summer lifeguards and two car parks. It’s just over two miles west of Padstow before reaching Harlyn Bay Beach, another gem.
Things to do with kids in Padstow
If you’re visiting Padstow with children you want to make sure they never get the chance to be bored. Here are ten great ways to keep everyone happily entertained…
- Spend a day fishing with a net in the rock pools at Trevone Bay Beach and then identify your catch!
- Visit Camel Creek Family Adventure Park just five miles inland from Padstow.
- Head to the Giant Slip and Slide near St Endellion. Launch yourself down the 360-foot slide on a bodyboard or inflatable ring for a thrilling ride.
- Spot dolphins and seals on a one-hour Sea Safari from Padstow Harbour.
- Rent bikes with kiddie seats or trailers and enjoy a ride along the traffic-free Camel Trail.
- Go crabbing from the quay at Padstow.
- Enjoy a day of wet fun and rides at the Oasis Fun Pool at Hendra Holiday Park near Newquay. It has an indoor and outdoor pool, river rapids, geyser, water cannon and three flumes!
- Spend a day at Newquay Zoo just 30 minutes by car from Padstow.
- Meet the ponies at Springfield Fun Park, St Columb Major. It has farm rides, a play barn, pony rides and heaps of attractions.
- Turn up in the afternoon and help the gamekeeper to hand-feed the deer at Prideaux Place.
Must-photograph spots in Padstow
Share a few moments of your holiday in Padstow with friends, family and colleagues and make them green with envy. There’s nowhere more beautiful than Cornwall on a sunny day so get snapping and sharing!
- NT-owned Bedruthan Steps has a stunning coastal viewpoint that’s very photo-worthy.
- The best spot for sunset vistas near Padstow is the tower just above Stepper Point on the coastal footpath.
- Capture the clear turquoise water and golden sand of Daymer Bay from the cliffs. On a sunny day it rivals the Caribbean!
- Head down to the harbour early in the morning and get great photos of the local fishermen unloading their still-wriggling catch!
Visit Padstow
Why not book a holiday cottage in Padstow and enjoy all your favourite bits of this lovely Cornish harbour town on a relaxing break?
Born in Cheshire, Gillian Birch moved to Cornwall at her earliest opportunity and never looked back. After 20 years, her ongoing discovery of popular attractions, quiet footpaths and local eateries has made her a fount of knowledge as she entertains readers with her informative articles on the hidden gems of Devon & Cornwall from a local point-of-view.