Surf, seafood and saints... a guide to Padstow

Padstow is an historic fishing port with a maze of picturesque narrow streets of stone, colour-washed and slate cottages and a pretty working harbour. It nestles in a narrow gulley on the western side of the River Camel estuary, sheltered from the prevailing winds.

The harbour is, of course, the pivot around which the whole town revolves and, because there is always something going on, visitors are drawn to the seats around the quay. There is something very therapeutic about watching the world go by from this interesting spot.

Brass band concerts are held regularly during the season and there are often visiting entertainers. Fishing trips, pleasure boats and high powered speed boats may be booked from the quayside but, if dry land is more your scene, why not visit the fascinating world of the National Lobster Hatchery, the town museum or the Elizabethan manor house and Deer Park at Prideaux Place, home to the Prideaux-Brune family?

Padstow also has many appealing shops, pubs, restaurants and cafes and is home to the well known seafood restaurant owned by the town's celebrity chef Rick Stein who also has a bistro, café, fish and chip shop and cookery school in the town.

A short walk leads you to a beach in the estuary and it is only a drive of 5-10 minutes to the lovely sandy, surfing beaches of Trevone, Harlyn and Constantine Bay, or take the ferry across the river to Rock.

The Camel Trail starts in Padstow, following the route of the old railway line to Bodmin, and is much loved by walkers and cyclists (bikes may be hired at Padstow or Wadebridge). The path wends its way alongside the riverbank through this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with its abundant wildlife. The estuary is a favourite stopping off point for migrant wading birds (up to 90 species!) who feed on the fertile mud flats during their journeys to and from the northern breeding grounds. The Trail is 18 miles in total and, after Wadebridge, joins the route through a beautiful wooded valley to Bodmin. Then another trail winds up to the foot of Bodmin Moor and ends near Blisland, a lovely pretty moorland village. Starting in Padstow, The Saints' Way is an attractive middle-distance walking route of just under 30 miles which follows river valleys and traverses the granite spine of the county to Fowey in the south. It passes from one major estuary to another, joining a number of religious sites which have connections with the Cornish Saints and Holy Men - St Petroc being the first Abbot of Padstow who converted the Celtic King Constantine to Christianity in the Middle Ages. In the other direction the coastal path from Padstow provides magnificent walks along the rugged and dramatic cliffs and wide sandy beaches of the Seven Bays towards Newquay. Christmas in Padstow is a very special time when the town is decorated with numerous Christmas lights. Mid December is also the time for late night Christmas shopping when local bands, street buskers, mulled wine and the Padstow carollers take to the streets. Many of our properties in the town have a special offer on bookings during this eventful weekend.