21 Things to Do in Padstow

Located on the north coast of Cornwall, Padstow was historically important as a fishing port, although these days its main industry is tourism. Celebrity chef Rick Stein has a number of restaurants here, which has led to the town being something of a mecca for foodies, while the 'Obby 'Oss festival also attracts visitors to the town, although its origins have long since been lost to the mists of time. Read on for some of the best things to do in Padstow.

Visit Prideaux Place

Prideaux Place is likely to be one of the first landmarks you notice on arrival in Padstow: it would be impossible to miss the impressive Elizabethan manor house situated high above Padstow Harbour, with panoramic views of the town. Owned by the same family for 14 generations, the house sits in beautiful formal gardens, with its own deer park and cafe. 

Have a stroll around the harbour

Although no longer the busy fishing port it once was, Padstow Harbour is still the focal point of the town, with a lively, bustling vibe which makes it a great place to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the sunshine - if you're lucky! The picturesque port is fringed by a wide range of bars, shops and restaurants, so there's plenty to do and see - or you can simply choose to relax with a glass of wine and watch the world go by.

Cycle along the Camel Trail

Cornwall's unusually-named Camel River (the name comes from the Cornish "Dowr Kammel” and simply means "crooked" river, so you may or may not be disappointed to know there are no actual camels nearby!) is a particularly scenic area of the country, and the Camel Trail follows the route of a disused railway from Padstow all the way to Wenfordbridge. From beginning to end, the trail winds through 18 miles of beautiful countryside, and there are plenty of sights to see along the way, plus more than one pub or cafe where you can stop and quench your thirst. Hire a bike at the harbour, and take as much time as you need to complete the trail.

Take the ferry to Rock

Close to Padstow is the village of Rock, which is as well-known for its famous visitors as it is for its picturesque setting. A favoured holiday destination of the rich and famous, it's even played host to royalty, and is known locally as one of the most upmarket parts of Cornwall. To catch a glimpse of how the other half live, you can take a ten-minute ferry ride from Padstow Harbour, and spend the day sunning yourself on some of the area's most exclusive beaches, or eating in one of the many restaurants you'll find there. While no one knows for sure whether the legendary King even existed, the castle - which is now owned by the Prince of Wales - is still a wonderfully atmospheric place to visit. 

Visit the legendary birthplace of King Arthur 

Cornwall is famous for the colourful myths and legends that surround so many of its landmarks, and Tintagel Castle is no exception. Said by some to have been the birthplace of King Arthur, it will come as no surprise to find that this dramatic location has been inspiring artists and poets for centuries, and still remains a popular part of Cornwall's tourist industry. 

Explore the nearby beaches

Somewhat unusually for a Cornish town, Padstow doesn't have a beach of its own, however its close proximity to many others in the area means it's still a good place to go if you love to be beside the sea. St George's Cove is the closest beach to the town, while Harbour Cove is larger, but still relatively quiet. Hawker's Cove is the sight of the original Padstow Lifeboat, and, like the other beaches in the area, is quiet and unspoilt, although it's worth noting that none of these beaches have toilet facilities or lifeguard cover, so if you're expecting the traditional hustle and bustle of an English seaside resort, you might be disappointed. If, on the other hand, you simply want to get away from it all and relax amid some of the most stunning scenery in the country, you'll find yourself spoiled for choice. 

Visit the lobster hatchery 

Cute they are not, but the baby lobsters at Padstow's National Lobster Hatchery are fascinating creatures to observe, and this charitable organisation does some fantastic work in helping conserve their environment and educate visitors about them. You can even adopt a lobster of your very own!

Take a Sealife Safari

Departing from Padstow Harbour, this Sealife Safari Boat Trip is the perfect way to see the beautiful Cornish coast from the water, while spotting bottlenose dolphins, basking sharks, and more. The tour takes in famous landmarks like Puffin Island and the seal caves along the coast. The experience lasts for two hours, and is led by an experienced local guide, who can fill you in on the history of the area, and answer any questions you might have. 

See the seals at Gulland Island

Cornwall's seal caves are truly a wonderful sight for nature lovers, and a Family Seal Cave Experience offers the perfect opportunity to see them up close. Sailing past sights like Trevose Head Lighthouse and Padstow Lifeboat Station, you'll return to Padstow Harbour at high speed, making for an exhilarating end to your seal-spotting experience.

Learn to cook like Rick Stein

Celebrity chef Rick Stein dominates the Padstow culinary scene with his range of restaurants and cafes, and he also has his very own Cookery School in the town, where you can take a Full Day Cookery Course, and learn to cook with the best. The school is located in a building overlooking the harbour, so you can enjoy the stunning views as you cook: and don't worry, you'll also have plenty of opportunities to taste the food on offer, along with some complimentary wine.

Feel the wind in your hair on a powerboat

Thrill seekers and adrenaline junkies will appreciate this Coastal Powerboat Tour, which will see you reach speeds of up to 50 knots as you cruise down the Cornish coast. The tour would be worth it for the views alone, but the high speed ride makes it even more memorable! 

The best restaurants in Padstow 

It would be impossible to visit Padstow without eating at at least one of celebrity chef Rick Stein's establishments here: in fact, the restauranteur's connection to the Cornish town has earned it the nickname "Padstein" in some foodie circles. There's still plenty of other choices available, however, so take a look at the list below for some of the very best places to eat and drink in Padstow. 

• Get seafood tapas at Prawn on the Lawn. 
• Enjoy food with a view at the Rock Inn.
• Combine Burgers and Fish at the restaurant of the same name.
• Sample fine dining at the Michelin-starred Paul Ainsworth at No.6.
• Enjoy some traditional pub grub at The Golden Lion.
• Have coffee and cake at Cherry Trees.
• Eat beside the Camel Estuary at The Mariners.
• Finally, a trip to the coast wouldn't be complete without some fish and chips by the sea, and Stein's Fish and Chips are some of the finest around.

Things to do in Padstow with Toddlers

Padstow is very much a family-oriented destination, and toddlers and older children will love exploring the rock pools and building sandcastles on the local beaches. Just a short drive outside town, however, you'll find a selection of other attractions to keep your little ones amused. 

• Camel Creek Adventure Park in Wadebridge has rides for children (and adults!) of all ages, with roller coasters and thrill rides for the older kids, plus a Toddler's Village for the younger ones. 
• Springfield's Fun Park and Pony Centre in Newquay is perfect for the pony-mad. As you'd expect, there are plenty of ponies to ride, groom and cuddle, but there's also a petting zoo where you can get up close with other animals, a train ride, and various other attractions. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Padstow worth visiting?

If you're looking for a busy tourist resort, complete with arcades, theme parks and donkey rides on the beach, then Padstow probably isn't what you're looking for. If, on the other hand, you're craving a relaxing break, and a slower pace of life, then this picturesque little harbour village provides all of that and more. Offering up an unspoilt splice of Cornish life, Padstow has a thriving restaurant scene, bustling harbour, and more than its fair share of water-based fun, courtesy of the many pleasure boats and other water-based activities operating out of the harbour. It's also a great base from which to explore the rest of Cornwall, which has every seaside attraction you could possibly wish for. 

What shops are there in Padstow?

As you might expect from a traditional fishing village, you won't find sprawling malls with multi-storey car parks in Padstow (Although, if that's what you're looking for, there are plenty of other shopping opportunities just a short car ride away!): instead, you'll find a much more eclectic mix of boutiques and independent retailers, including plenty of gift shops where you can pick up a souvenir from your Cornish vacation. Shopping in Padstow may have an up-market feel to it, however, but there are still plenty of bargains to be found - and you'll have a lot of fun looking for them, into the bargain!

What is Padstow famous for? 

Tourism aside, Padstow is perhaps best known for its shipwrecks. The "Doom Bar" - a sandbar in the Camel Estuary which is completely invisible depending on the tides - has been the source of over 600 wrecks, some of which can still be seen, either peeking through the sands or lying beneath the water. Local legend has it that the Doom Bar was created by a dying mermaid, who was shot by a local man, and placed a powerful curse on the area in revenge - just one of the pieces of Cornish folklore which the area is famous for.