About Beaches

Padstow is a picturesque harbour town on the western banks of the Camel Estuary. To the north of the town and accessible by the coast path is a super stretch of sand from St Georges Cove to Harbour Cove and Hawkers Cove. The walk from Padstow to St Georges Cove takes about 20 minutes. There are great views across the estuary

Directions:Padstow is approximately 8 miles from Wadebridge and 16 miles from Bodmin. Approach Wadebridge on the A389 (from Bodmin) or the A39. At Wadebridge continue on the A39 for Newquay and then turn right on the A389 for Padstow. Continue on the A389 until Padstow

Parking:There is plenty of parking in Padstow

Toilets:Toilets in Padstow

Facilities:Shops, cafe's in Padstow

Activities:Boat trips from Padstow

Safety:No details available

Dogs:Dogs are banned at St Georges Cove from Easter Day to October 1. Dogs are allowed at Harbour Cove and Hawkers Cove

A super family beach with a large expanse of sand and excellent surfing. There is also a small cove at the north of Polzeath beach called Pentireglaze Haven. At Polzeath there is level access to the beach by the beach car park. At New Polzeath there are steps down to the beach

Directions:Polzeath is approximately 7 miles from Wadebridge and 14 miles from Bodmin. Approach Wadebridge on the A389 (from Bodmin) or the A39. At Wadebridge take the B3314 and proceed on the B3314 until there is a right bend to Port Isaac. At this bend turn left and continue on this road which forks to either Polzeath or New Polzeath

Parking:1 large field car park above the cliffs, 1 small car park on the beach and 1 small car park close to the beach. 1 car park at New Polzeath

Toilets:Yes

Facilities:Shops, cafe's

Activities:Surfing

Safety:Lifeguards in summer

Dogs:Dogs are banned on the beach from Easter Day to October 1


HARLYN BAY
One of the best family beaches in Cornwall, Harlyn Bay is a wide and spacious beach popular with families and surfers. There are several access points to the beach. The coast path can be walked to Mother Iveys Bay and Trevose Head. Note that part of the coast path is on the beach, so this route may be impassable at high tide

Directions:Harlyn Bay is approximately 10 miles from Wadebridge. Take the A39 west from Wadebridge or the A39 from the Indian Queens roundabout (on the A30). About 3 miles west of Wadebridge, turn onto the A389 for Padstow. Shortly before Padstow turn left onto the B3276. Keep on the B3276 until a right turning for Harlyn Bay

Parking:1 large car park (extended into a field on busy days)

Toilets:Yes

Facilities:Shop

Activities:Surfing

Safety:Lifeguards in summer

Dogs:Dogs allowed All Year

A wide sandy beach with many rock pools and popular with surfers. Park at Treyarnon Bay or Constantine Bay and walk the coast path to Boobys Bay. There is limited parking at Constantine Bay, so Treyarnon is a better option. Access to the beach is by climbing down from the coast path or walking along the beach at low tide

Directions:Boobys Bay is approximately 11 miles from Newquay. At Newquay follow the directions for Padstow onto the B3276. Follow the B3276 past Watergate Bay through Mawgan Porth and then Porthcothan. Immediately after Porthothan turn left onto a minor lane. On this road take the second left and then turn left again for Treyarnon Bay. Park at Treyarnon Bay and walk the coast path to Constantine Bay and Boobys Bay. An alternative route is to drive from Wadebridge to Padstow on the A39 & A389 and pick up the B3276 at Padstow. Shortly after St Merryn, turn right for Constantine Bay or take the next right for Treyarnon Bay

Parking:No parking at Boobys Bay. 1 large car park at Treyarnon Bay and 1 small car park at Constantine Bay

Toilets:At Constantine Bay

Facilities:None

Activities:Surfing

Safety:Lifeguards in summer

Dogs:Dogs allowed all year

Bedrruthan Steps
A large sandy beach dwarfed by spectacular rock outcrops. Note that
swimming is dangerous and access to the beach is unsuitable for wheel chairs and push chairs

Directions:Bedruthan Steps is approximately 8 miles from Newquay. Approach Newquay from the A30 and turn onto the A39 at the Indian Queens roundabout. Proceed on the A39 and continue on the A39 across the 1st roundabout and at the 2nd roundabout turn left onto the A3059 for Newquay. At Newquay follow the directions for Padstow onto the B3276. Follow the B3276 past Watergate Bay through Mawgan Porth and about a mile after Mawgan Porth turn left for the Bedruthan Steps car park. There are shorter routes avoiding Newquay. Consult an OS map

Parking:1 small NT car park

Toilets:Yes

Facilities:Cafe

Activities:None

Safety:Not suitable for swimming due to strong currents. The steps down to the beach are very steep and not suitable for wheel chairs or push chairs. Note that the steps down are closed in winter opening again on 1st March. There is a risk of becoming stranded at high tide.

Dogs:Dogs allowed all year

TREYARNON BAY
An excellent family beach with lots of sand and rock pools. There is a slip way to the beach

Directions:Treyarnon Bay is approximately 11 miles from Newquay. At Newquay follow the directions for Padstow onto the B3276. Follow the B3276 past Watergate Bay through Mawgan Porth and then through Porthcothan. Immediately after Porthcothan turn left onto a minor lane. On this road turn right and then turn left and then follow this road to the car park. An alternative route is to drive from Wadebridge to Padstow on the A39 & A389 and pick up the B3276 at Padstow. From this direction there is a turning on the B3276 to Treyarnon just after St Merryn

Parking:1 car park (can get full on busy days)

Toilets:Yes

Facilities:Beach shop

Activities:Surfing

Safety:Lifeguards in summer. Signs warn of strong undercurrents and large breaking waves

Dogs:Dogs allowed all year

A long sandy beach on the east side of the Camel Estuary. At low tide the beach stretches from Porthilly Cove north to Daymer Bay. There are extensive sand dunes. There is a passenger ferry between Rock and Padstow on the opposite side of the Estuary

Directions:Rock is approximately 6 miles from Wadebridge and 13 miles from Bodmin. Approach Wadebridge on the A389 (from Bodmin) or the A39. At Wadebridge take the B3314 and proceed on the B3314 following the road to St Minver. Shortly before St Minver turn left on the road to Rock

Parking:1 car park, also some road parking

Toilets:Yes, by the car park

Facilities:Cafe, beach shop

Activities:Boating

Safety:No details available

Dogs:Dogs allowed all year


TREVONE BAY
Pleasant sandy bay popular with families. There is a small slope to the beach (and steps from one of the car parks). To the west of the main beach there is also a rocky beach with tidal pool. There is excellent scenery and good coastal walks to Trevose Head

Directions:Trevone Bay is approximately 9 miles from Wadebridge. Take the A39 west from Wadebridge or the A39 from the Indian Queens roundabout (on the A30). About 3 miles west of Wadebridge, turn onto the A389 for Padstow. Shortly before Padstow turn left onto the B3276. Keep on the B3276 until a right turning for Trevone Bay

Parking:2 car parks by the beach

Toilets:Yes

Facilities:None

Activities:Surfing

Safety:Lifeguards in summer

Dogs:Dogs are banned on the beach from Easter Day to October 1

About Local Restaurants

If you are looking for Padstow restaurants, Cornwall somewhere for eating out, you have found the right place.

Padstow has an outstanding choice of very good restaurants including Rick Stein's Seafood restaurant, bistro, cafe and fish and chip shop. Come for a gourmet weekend!

The Seafood Restaurant

Since opening twenty five years ago Rick Stein's Seafood Restaurant has established national reputation for imaginative cooking of the freshest fish available.

About Walking

The Camel Trail

The Camel Trail is Cornwall’s premier cycling route, it runs along the old Padstow to Bodmin railway line.

The trail is 17 miles long but the most popular section is the Padstow to Wadebridge section which follows the edge of the spectacular Camel Estuary.

Cycles can be hired locally from Padstow Cycle Hire situated 100 yards from the start of the trail.

Padstow is a picturesque harbour town on the western banks of the Camel Estuary. To the north of the town and accessible by the coast path is a super stretch of sand from St Georges Cove to Harbour Cove and Hawkers Cove. The walk from Padstow to St Georges Cove takes about 20 minutes. There are great views across the estuary.

About History

There are many lovely shops in Padstow and friendly service on offer. Individual clothes shops, arty shops, fudge shops and many cafes all situated around the picturesque harbour.

It’s during December that Padstow is at its most magical, with its festive fair bringing sparkling Christmas lights to the tranquil harbour. Visitors can experience a traditional Christmas market in the idyllic seaside town on Cornwall’s North coast, over a long weekend during the 4th, 5th and 6th of December 2009.

After the resounding success of its first year, Padstow’s Christmas Festival is back, promising an array of seasonal treats with Christmas lights and decorations, fireworks, seasonal food, festive cookery demonstrations and late night shopping. This year’s Christmas market boasts stalls laden with Cornish goodies and at the heart of this years festival will be an outdoor ice rink for all to enjoy.

The ice rink is a new addition for 2009 and will be open all day Saturday and Sunday offering a great way to make the most of a winter’s day. The harbour side will play host to the 3,000 sq ft ice rink and after a session on the ice, visitors will be able to warm up with a hot chocolate and a mince pie in one of Padstow’s many cafés or bistros.

The festival’s food and drink stands will be celebrating all things Cornish; expect wine tastings, seasonal food, mulled wine and festive cookery demonstrations. Sample the best of Cornwall’s produce from the town’s local suppliers or enjoy a celebratory meal in one of Padstow’s renowned restaurants or traditional British pubs.

Many of the town’s eateries will be running special offers throughout the event, including The Basement – a café built within ‘The Drang’, a small shopping area on the Quay – which will be offering a three course evening menu for £22, as well as lunches for under £10, throughout the festival.

The town’s most well known chef, Rick Stein, will also be attending the festival, signing copies of his latest book, Far Eastern Odyssey, for visitors at Stein’s Deli. The Seafood Restaurant will be offering a three course lunch menu for £28.50, St Petroc’s Bistro will offer a three course lunch menu for £17.50 and there will also be a seasonal cookery demonstration at Padstow Seafood School on the evening of Friday 4th December.

With scenic estuary views, an appearance by Father Christmas, carols around the Christmas tree and live music, visitors can soak up the party atmosphere whilst escaping the hustle and bustle of city life. Guests can explore Padstow’s boutique retailers after hours for artisan jewellery, crafts, fashion and homewares for that perfect Christmas gift. The celebration will finally culminate with a special Christmas service and carols at the historic St Petroc’s church in the old town on Sunday 6th.

About Shopping

Catch the Ferry to Rock

On the opposite side of the Camel Estuary is Rock. A sailors delight with beautiful bays and beaches.

A foot ferry 'Black Rock' operates throughout the day from the Quay to the Rock Pontoon.

Boat Trips from Padstow

High speed boat trips are available from harbour out into the Camel Estuary.

A lovely way to see the coastline is on The Jubilee Queen. It takes you to Puffin Island where if the season is right you will see hundreds of birds and maybe harmless basking sharks.

Various fishing trips such as mackerel and shark are also available daily leaving from the main harbour

About Ferries

Catch the Ferry to Rock

On the opposite side of the Camel Estuary is Rock. A sailors delight with beautiful bays and beaches.

A foot ferry 'Black Rock' operates throughout the day from the Quay to the Rock Pontoon.

Boat Trips from Padstow

High speed boat trips are available from harbour out into the Camel Estuary.

A lovely way to see the coastline is on The Jubilee Queen. It takes you to Puffin Island where if the season is right you will see hundreds of birds and maybe harmless basking sharks.

Various fishing trips such as mackerel and shark are also available daily leaving from the main harbour