Sun, sea & sand... a guide to St Merryn's Seven Bays

The Seven Bays is a wonderful collection of glorious sandy beaches centred around the rural village of St Merryn, 3 miles from Padstow. Each bay has its own unique character from the half mile wide and beautiful beach at Harlyn, ideal for both families and surfers, to the sheltered, sandy cove at Trevone surrounded by high cliffs and boasting a second, rocky beach, to the west - great for exploring the rock pools.

The village of St Merryn is a great base for your holiday with everything you need right on your doorstep. There is a Post Office, petrol station and garage, newsagents, 2 churches, 2 convenience stores, 2 surf shops plus a fish and chip shop, a Chinese takeaway, 3 restaurants (one with a Michelin Star), 2 pubs (one now owned by celebrity chef Rick Stein) and a wine bar.

We have properties in St Merryn village, St Merryn Holiday Village and in many of the surrounding bays. The Seven Bays are Porthcothan Bay (nearest to Newquay), up the coast to Treyarnon, then Constantine Bay, Booby's Bay, Mother Ivey's Bay, Harlyn and then Trevone Bay (which is nearest to Padstow).

Besides the glorious bays, there are many rural and coastal walks, along the beaches and through the fields. The Coastal Path winds its way along the cliff tops and through the countryside. As well as the stunning views, there are many other treats including the Trevose Head peninsular, with its lighthouse, lifeboat station and the blow hole at Trevone. The Camel Trail starts in Padstow and can be walked or cycled all the way to Bodmin. The National Cycle Route no. 32 also passes through St Merryn connecting Truro with Bodmin via Newquay and includes the Camel Trail.

In Constantine Bay, 2.5 miles from St Merryn, is the Trevose Golf and Country Club. There are 2 riding stables in the St Merryn area, Tresallyn and Trethias, which are both about a mile either side of the village.

Each year the village holds its Carnival around August. There are a lot of costumes and dressing up by the little kids and some of the big kids as well! The Carnival welcomes visitors to line the streets and watch the participants process through the village. There's prize giving and entertainment at the end of the day.