Padstow & Wadebridge Tourist Information

• Take a walk along the seafront with some delicious fish and chips
• Go for a stroll down the famous Camel Trail
• Enjoy the marvellous surfing conditions at one of the many stunning beaches

Nestled on the North Cornwall coast, Padstow is a beautiful town, brimming with charm and character. The ending point of the famous Camel Trail, Padstow is the ideal place to enjoy some truly memorable scenery and some fantastic walking routes. More active pursuits come in the form of watersports at one of the many beaches or horse riding across the stunning Cornish countryside.

The base of Rick Steins empire, Padstow beasts a plethora of gastronomic offerings from simple fish and chips to the finest in haute cuisine. Fishing charters leave the harbour daily, with speedboat hire and coastal cruises also available. With sandy beaches aplenty and a welcoming atmosphere, Padstow is the ideal place to relax on your vacation.

Food and Drink

It would be impossible to talk about Padstownian cuisine without a reference to Rick Stein. His charming set of cafes and restaurants have something to appeal to everyone, from fine dining in St Petrocs Bistro to the cosy Rick Steins Cafe, all tastes are catered for. If you fancy a quintessential fish and chips lunch, Stein even provides that, with his award winning chip shop right on the beach.

Further in town, Waves, Rosel and Co and The Basement are all packed with gastronomic delights. If you’re looking for more of a pub atmosphere, Pescadou is the St Austell Breweries flagship Inn, and plays host to a vast selection of fine ales and beers.

Family Attractions

Padstow is packed with attractions for the family to enjoy. Mackerel fishing trips are a unique way to explore the coastline and try something new, and they leave regularly from the harbour. Padstow museum is a charming, volunteer-run attraction packed with interesting local information and fascinating exhibits. The Jubilee Queen is a passenger vessel that sails around the coast, providing an excellent platform from which to enjoy the splendid views.

If you fancy something a little more high octane, speed boat trips run just outside the harbour, crashing through the waves at high speeds. Greens Crazy Golf is a charming course for the whole family to enjoy, and comes complete with stunning harbour views.

Shopping

For a true taste of Cornwall, Padstow Farm Shop will cater for all your fresh fruit and vegetable needs with delicious locally sourced produce. If you prefer something more mainstream, a Tesco Metro in the town centre is perfect for a basic grocery shop. The harbour is littered with gift shops and ice cream stalls, creating a classic seaside resort feel to the place.

For a more valuable holiday memento, wooden craft stores and an art and sculpture gallery can be found within the town. Being a prominent surfing town, surf shops are also plentiful. If you like what you’ve had in one of Rick Stein’s eateries in the area, why not take some home? He owns a cake shop, bakery and a deli in the town.

History and Heritage

Padstow’s history stretches back over 4000 years, when early travellers arrived in Fowey then crossed the land to the Camel Valley to avoid the treacherous waters of Lands End. Today, Padstow is a bustling fishing port with some truly majestic scenery and picturesque coastal views. Rick Stein’s affiliation with the town came as a result of a failed discotheque he managed in Padstow. Seeing becoming a chef as his way out, he sourced fresh fish from the fishermen who used to frequent his nightclub!

As well as Stein, Padstow can also proudly call its self the dwelling of Sir Walter Raleigh during his time as Warden of Cornwall, his Court House on the riverside now a private residence.

Beaches

With some of the finest beaches that Cornwall has to offer, Padstow is a perfect place to relax on the sand. Boobys Bay and Constantine Beach are two ideal examples of the beauty of Padstow’s beaches, both crescents of golden sand with excellent windsurfing conditions. Daymer Bay and Greenaway are sheltered, sandy beaches, perfect for walks, and when the tide is out, they link with Rock to create a large expanse of golden sand.

Harlyn Bay and Mowgan Porth are the more classic seaside beaches, with cafes, lifeguards and ample parking for visitors.

Events and Entertainment

One of the quaintest events that Padstow can boast is that of the annual Obby Oss Festival (derived from the corruption of ‘hobby horse’) which takes place on the first week of May to mark the start of the summer. Songs, shanty and a carnival atmosphere await visitors, while the spooky Obby Oss himself always makes an appearance!

At the other end of the year, the Christmas Festival is another top quality local event that really encapsulates the festive spirit. Beautifully lit processions, cookery demonstrations and fireworks all keep the yuletide atmosphere flowing. Film buffs will have to travel a little way out of town to St. Austell or Wadebridge for the White River and The Regal cinemas respectively.

Activities

Keen anglers are in for a treat in Padstow, with both wreck and reef charters leaving the harbour on a regular basis. On the outskirts of town, horse riding stables provide visitors with a unique way of enjoying the stunning views that Padstow has to offer. If something a little more exhilarating is required, then pad stow is a positive haven for watersports.

Windsurfing, water skiing, kite surfing canoeing and kayaking are all available to visitors, with most sports offering tuition and equipment hire. For walking enthusiasts, the Camel Trail offers the perfect environment to enjoy the beautiful surrounding countryside. A converted railway line, the Camel Trail is 39 miles of walking or cycling route which is perfect for a family walk after a lazy day on the beach.

Travel

Travelling to Padstow can be done in a variety of ways. A National Express route runs to nearby Wadebridge, and from there a bus service will take you into the town itself. The nearest train station is Bodmin Parkway, and from here a bus route will take you to Padstow.

The nearest airport is just outside Newquay, around 10 miles away and easily accessible by road. Internal public transport is cheap and reliable, with three bus companies operating in the Padstow region. A ferry can be caught down at Padstow harbour for a direct service to the picturesque setting of Rock on the other side of the Camel Estuary.