St Merryn

A little village with a lot of coastline

St Merryn is a charming village in North Cornwall, located just a few miles southwest of Padstow.

The village has a range of small shops, cafés, restaurants and a church, whilst also claiming five and a half miles of stunningly dramatic coastline. There’s The Farmer’s Arms pub, and just outside the village centre in Churchtown is The Cornish Arms where Rick Stein is the official landlord.

There are riding stables close by, should you wish to experience a beach canter, plus a range of attractions to visit. Both St Merryn and Padstow also celebrate many festivals – these are certainly worth looking out for.

St Merryn is around two and a half miles from the foodie town of Padstow, where TV chefs Rick Stein and Paul Ainsworth have restaurants.

Trevose Head is a stunning headland known for its dramatic cliffs, panoramic sea views, and the iconic Trevose Head Lighthouse. The lighthouse, situated between Booby’s and Mother’s Ivy’s Bay, was built in 1847, and stands as a vital navigational aid for ships navigating the dangerous waters around the Atlantic coastline. It offers breathtaking views, making it a popular spot for walkers and photographers.

You can also visit the lifeboat station there. Completed in 2006, this RNLI lifeboat station holds practice launches every Wednesday.

Beaches close by:

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

Further details on the above beaches can be found on our 7 Bays for 7 Days page.

St Merryn Park

Set within St Merryn Park, Bay Retreat Villas are contemporary styled holiday accommodation arranged in an attractive square. Each villa has its own parking space and a small rear garden with patio furniture and most have decking.

Amenities within the park include an adjacent children’s playground with a good range of swings, a slide and wooden climbing frames. Next to this, there’s a handy local shop selling all the essentials and a bar and restaurant. As you enter the park you’ll see a recreation area with tennis courts and a separate dog walking area.

The park contains a mix of housing, some under development. However, Bay Retreat is complete and in its own square, separate from any ongoing works.

Distances

Bay Retreat Villas is around a mile from the village of St Merryn and around two miles from the closest beach, Porthcothan. However, there are many well-known beaches along the coast, including Watergate Bay and the dramatic Bedruthan Steps.

The south coast and places such as the Eden Project are around half an hour’s drive. We recommend travelling by car and exploring them all!