Padstow

Padstow

Best known to be the home of famous TV chefs Rick Stein and Paul Ainsworth, Padstow has an enviable reputation as one of the best gourmet towns in Cornwall. An abundance of fresh seafood arriving freshly caught on trawler boats enters the harbour on a daily basis and the easy supply of Cornish cream and other homegrown delicacies has helped.

Padstow is a small and pretty town with the harbour at its heart. Quaint shops and houses line the narrow streets. It’s easy to buy a freshly made pasty or some hand-made fudge straight off a skillet – in between browsing for holiday trinkets in the gift shops.

Mother Ivey’s Bay

Seven Bays for Seven Days

These seven glorious sand beaches are famously known as they are centred around St Merryn, near Padstow, making Bay Retreat a great base from which to explore. The seven bays are linked by breathtaking cliff paths and coastal scenery.

• Trevone Bay
• Harlyn Bay
• Mother Ivey’s Bay
• Booby’s Bay
• Constantine Bay
• Treyarnon Bay
• Porthcothan Bay

St Merryn

Gifted with seven gorgeous bays and beaches, the little town of St Merryn is 2.5 miles south of Padstow. There’s also two excellent pubs and a range of seaside shops and eateries along with a small convenience store. Bay Retreat Villas are situated just on the outskirts of the village at St Merryn Park.

The Camel Trail

The Camel Trail links Padstow to Wadebridge and then onto Bodmin. It’s a great route to follow either on foot or on a bike – which are available to hire locally. The route follows the river and is around 18 miles in total, although many just navigate part of it and loop back.

Camelford & Tintagel

Further to the north and slightly inland from Padstow you’ll find Camelford, an ancient Cornish town built around the River Camel. On the edge of Bodmin Moor and yet only around 6 miles from the coast, it makes a great place for exploring some well-known Cornish places.

Tintagel, reputedly the birthplace of King Arthur, is around 6 miles. The ruins of the castle and former medieval site can be visited along with the village post office, now maintained by the National Trust.

Port Isaac, as seen in the TV series Doc Martin, is around 10 miles. Narrow streets lead to the former fishing village, now a vibrant community.

Getting there

• Newquay airport to Padstow – 13 miles, around 20 minutes by taxi.
• Newquay airport to Camelford – 23 miles, around 30 minutes by taxi.

• Paid parking is available in all the local towns and villages.
• Bodmin Parkway station is located around 4 miles from the town, but the Bodmin & Wenford steam railway connects the two and is a great experience.
• Several bus routes operate through both Padstow and Camelford.