Looking for the best things to do in Padstow, Cornwall? You’ve come to the right place! In this guide, I share all the must-see Padstow attractions, followed by some other things to do near Padstow further down.
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Where to Stay in Padstow
We stayed in our campervan when visiting Padstow; however, there are plenty of accommodation options to suit all budgets and interests.
You can also check out many other accommodation options here. Or use the Map below to see all your options:
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Things to do in Padstow
1. Padstow Harbour
Let’s start with what is the centre point of the town – Padstow Harbour.Lined with impressive boats and ocean views in the distance, the harbour is incredibly picturesque.
In the early morning hours, the harbour is incredibly sleepy and peaceful. We loved starting the day heree with a coffee and pastry in hand.
As the day goes on and the town gets busier, the harbour takes on a whole new lease of life. With the sun shining and energies high, we couldn’t help but round off our days in Padstow amongst it all beer in hand.
You’ll also want to explore the whimsical little lanes around the harbour, where you’ll find pastel-coloured houses and quirky local shops.
2. Shopping
Padstow offers a truly unique shopping experience. It’s a lot like The Lanes in Brighton and an absolute joy to walk around.
I loved that most are locally-owned stores. While you will find some well-known brands, such as Regatta and Fat Face, a large portion are independents.
3. Prideaux Place
Cornwall is home to some stunning historic houses, and Prideaux Place in Padstow is one of them.
Explore the house and its fine art and furniture collection, have lunch in the tea rooms, or wander the grounds taking in the views.
4. Beaches
One of our favourite things to do in Padstow was to explore the surrounding beaches. You only have to walk 15-20 minutes out of town, and there’s a stunning stretch of bay that runs along the SW Coastal Path.
We enjoyed hanging out for the day at St George’s Cove. A gorgeous sandy beach with crystal clear waters that’s not too far from the harbour.
Swimming here is not recommended since the estuary’s currents are unpredictable. But we dipped our toes in when it was time to cool off.
Other lovely beaches in the area include Hawkers Cove and Harbour Cove.
5. The Camel Trail
The Camel Trail is an 18-mile recreational trail that runs from Padstow to Wenfordbridge. Running alongside a disused railway line, the trail allows unrivalled views of the area’s most spectacular scenery.
From charming seaside towns to countryside villages, the variety of landscapes allows for quite an exciting adventure.
The trail is popular amongst cyclists since the terrain is mostly flat. Bikes are easy to hire in Padstow.
6. Coastal Walks
If you love to walk, you won’t want to miss the Padstow coastal walks. You can easily join the SW coastal path from Padstow by making your way North of the harbour.
An uphill path snakes around the coastline allowing for glorious views and exciting trails that continue on for miles and miles.
We made it as far as Hawkers Cove, where we stopped for refreshments before returning back. But if you continue to Stepper Point and beyond, it’s meant to be fabulous!
7. Rest a While Tea Garden
We stumbled across this hidden gem when walking the coastal path.
It was a hot day, and we needed some refreshments. So when this tearoom popped up close to Hawkers Cove, we made our way straight there.
Rest a While is the most charming of tea gardens with jaw-dropping views of the surrounding scenery. The traditional cream tea was also the best of all our time in Cornwall.
8. National Lobster Hatchery
Marine life populations are vulnerable, and that’s especially true for lobster around the Cornish coast.
The national lobster hatchery in Padstow is doing incredible things. It raises awareness of the issue and actively rears lobsters to give them the best chance of survival.
This is definitely one of the more interesting and educational things to do in Padstow, so it’s worth popping in to learn more about their work.
9. Ferry to Rock
Just across the water from Padstow is the upscale seaside town of Rock.
Rock is said to be the UK holiday destination of choice amongst riches and royals while boasting more millionaires’ houses than anywhere else in Cornwall.
If you fancy heading over for a nose around, you can easily do so by catching the foot ferry from Padstow.
The beaches offer a very similar experience to those in Padstow. Although, the town is a bit fancier with upmarket stores and Michelin star restaurants.
10. Rick Steins Restaurants
So how did a modest Fisherman’s village become one of the most visited areas of Cornwall?
Perhaps it has something to do with celebrity chef Rick Stein, who put Padstow on the map with his collection of restaurants and hotels.
With four restaurants, numerous hotels, and a selection of shops, his presence is undeniable throughout the town.
More Things to do Near Padstow
11. Surfing and Watersports
While there isn’t much going on in Padstow, you don’t need to travel far to get some water sporting action.
Harlyn Bay has a surf school that offers kayaking, paddle boarding and coasteering activities. While Trevone Bay and Treyarnon Bay are ideal for novice surfers.
Those more experienced on a surfboard will want to check out the ferocious breaks at Constantine Bay.
12. Harlyn Bay
There’s more to Harlyn Bay than just watersports. Boasting pristine golden sand and calm, clear waters, it’s a family-friendly beach among the safest in Cornwall.
There are a few little beach cafes and eateries around, or pack a picnic and enjoy a relaxing day there. Harlyn Bay is just a 10-minute drive from Padstow or a 6-mile walk along the coastal path.
13. Carnewas and Bedruthan Steps
A 20-minute drive from Padstow is one of my favourite coastline views. Safeguarded by the National Trust, Carnewas and Bedruthan Steps is a dramatic stretch of coast that could easily belong in Bali.
We ended up camping near the Bedruthan steps for a couple of nights and the views absolutely blew us away. It’s an incredible spot to sit and watch the sunset.
14. Tintagel
Another place near Padstow worth visiting is Tintagel. It’s just a 40-minute drive between the towns, so you could easily visit on a day trip or stay locally to enjoy the cool things to do in Tintagel.
Legend has it that Tintagel Castle is the birthplace of King Arthur. There’s no real evidence the guy ever existed, but it’s still pretty cool to imagine.
15. Newquay
Probably the most popular beachside town in Cornwall, Newquay is just a 30-minute drive from Padstow.
There is no shortage of attractions in Newquay. It’s especially renowned for its water sporting activities, with surf schools prevalent on most beaches.
It’s undoubtedly a fun and lively place, but it’s not for everyone. Newquay is quite busy and touristy, so taking a day trip from Padstow is a wise idea.
Tips for Visiting Padstow
Best Time to Visit Padstow
To fully enjoy all that Padstow has to offer, you’ll want to visit when it’s warm and dry. Anywhere from late May through to mid-September offers a reasonable chance of good weather.
July & August are the hottest months in Cornwall, but it’s also the school holidays. So everything is busier and more expensive.
We went in September, just after the kids went back to school. It was still busy but not unbearably so and the weather was still warm & dry.
Getting Around Padstow
Padstow itself is relatively small. So if you’re able to, the best way to see it all is on foot.
To get to the other things to do near Padstow, you’ll need to use your car or public transport.
Padstow is well connected via public transport, and you can reach many popular destinations in Cornwall via bus or train.
Parking in Padstow
If you are coming by car, parking in Padstow shouldn’t be too difficult. While you may struggle to find on-street parking, there are several car parks just a short walk away.
If you’re looking for somewhere to park a motorhome or campervan, it’s a bit more tricky. We were able to find a parking spot in the Railway Car Park, where we paid £8 for 12 hours. However, there are only 2 or 3 spaces allocated for campers.
When these spaces are full, motorhomes are allowed to park in the coach spaces, but it’s £8, and you can only stay for 4-hours. Motorhomes are permitted from 8 in the morning, so arrive early for your best chance of getting an all-day spot.
Enjoy These Things to do in Padstow!
That concludes our list of things to do in and near Padstow. I hope you enjoy your time here! If you have any questions, please ask. Otherwise, I wish you happy and safe travels.
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