Find and book the perfect Cornish b&b or holiday cottage in Padstow
Padstow is a small town and fishing port on the north coast of Cornwall, to be exact on the west bank of the Camel Estuary. Despite the small size of the town, there is by no means a shortage of things to do both in the town and in the surrounding area. The harbour is the main hub of activity, with both fishing and pleasure boats sitting on its waters.
When to visit Padstow
The most popular months to visit Padstow are unsurprisingly the summer months of July and August which are the warmest months but will also therefore be the busiest. For a more relaxing holiday but still with mild temperatures, June and September are a good time to go as it is during school term but is still warm.
How to get to Padstow
Padstow is easily accessible by car from all areas of England if you are prepared for a long journey, particularly from London from which it is a 5 hour journey, and 4 hours from Birmingham. Train travellers will also find regular options from all England's major cities to Bodmin Parkway from which there are regular buses to Padstow on the 555 Western Greyhound service. For those travelling from further afield or prefer flying, the nearest airports are Newquay Airport and Exeter Airport.
Where to book a holiday cottage in Padstow
Choosing a holiday cottage in Padstow will allow you to fully immerse yourself in Cornish life in the little streets of multicoloured houses that you will find are typical in this little town. For keen cyclists choosing a holiday rental near the cycle trail (Camel Trail) may be the most convenient option, whereas visitors wanting to be in the centre of it all should look for somewhere near the harbour and Middle Street. To be still close to the centre but in a slightly quieter area, choose a b&b or self-catered rental on the High Street or on Tregirls Lane, both of which are just down the road from Prideaux Palace. Sarah's View (which is a road!) also has many charming holiday cottages for you to choose from. There are also many cosy B&Bs on offer on Glynn Road and the surrounding area. There are also many holiday cottages that are pet friendly so no member of the family will need to be left behind in order to enjoy this wonderful Cornish seaside town.
Things to do in Padstow
Harbour
The first thing you will come across when you arrive in Padstow is the harbour. This beautiful little Cornish fishing harbour is the perfect place to stop for some fish and chips and watch the hustle and bustle of the town centre. Since it is surrounded by quaint cafés, restaurants, art and clothes shops, there is something for everyone here.
Rick Stein's restaurants
Whilst staying in this fishing town you will probably get a craving for Britain's most famous dish, fish and chips. If this happens the place to go is celebrity chef Rick Stein's Fish and Chips, where you can enjoy the best fish and chips in the whole town in this relaxed restaurant, to take away to eat in your holiday cottage or by the harbour. If you wish to enjoy to spend a little more on the finest seafood in a slightly fancier setting, Rick Stein's Seafood Restaurant is a great option: opened in 1975 and internationally renowned for its fresh produce and innovative recipes, you are guaranteed a relaxing romantic dinner overlooking the Camel Estuary. The chef also has a Seafood Bar & Fishmongers as well as a Café to suit every kind of seafood craving as well as cooking workshops for those who want to perfect their seafood cooking skills.
Prideaux Place
This magnificent manor is definitely worth a visit during your stay in Padstow. Built in 1592, this Elizabethan house is still lived in by the family for whom it was built. The Prideaux's have been living here for fourteen generations. The manor overlooks its estate that includes a deer park, a beautifully kept garden and Stepper Point, a magnificent headland that was used as a filming location for the BBC adaptation of Poldark.
Beaches
The closest beach to Padstow is St George's Cove, only about half a mile from the harbour, this sandy beach offers great views of the estuary and of the beach opposite, Rock, as well as Daymer Bay. Rock Beach is also easily accessible from Padstow, from the harbour you can get a ferry across to enjoy views of the estuary from a different perspective with shallow waters that are great for children. Both these beaches have beautiful clear waters, but the tides can be fairly strong at times so be careful.
National Lobster Hatchery
This marine conservation charity focuses on the conservation, research, and charity regarding the European lobster, currently at serious risk from fishing pressure, and is one of the leading sources of jobs for a lot of small coastline communities in the south of England. Here, lobsters are raised from eggs through the most vulnerable stage of their life cycle, and then released back into the wild. The visitor centre is a fantastic place to drop in and learn more about these exotic looking animals.