This page is: Padstow Town Guide, Cornwall

Padstow Guide

The historic fishing port, Padstow, is situated on the North Cornwall coast at the mouth of the River Camel, not far from Wadebridge, and has many wonderful and inspiring sights. Take Trevose Head with its light house for example, or the Camel Estuary, teeming with bird life. Padstow is filled with an intricate maze of streets brimming with character and unique crafts, a very good example of Cornish life in times gone by.

Built into the hillside it defies the modern rules of town planning, and instead allows its eccentric personality to shine through, especially in the colourwashed cottages that lead you down to the attractive harbour.

Padstow has a number of art galleries, some of very high standard. It is well worth venturning down side alleys as the unexpected discoveries can be very rewarding.

Padstow Harbour

Padstow’s town life still revolves around its harbour, which remains full of activity and working fishing boats. The ferry across the river to Rock is thought to be the oldest crossing still in continuous use in Britain; very handy it is too. The harbour is a marina for some wonderful boats, very enjoyable to walk around.

Accommodation in Padstow

Accommodation in Padstow is very good, in and around the town. Visitors benefit from the long history of tourism, without suffering too many of the negative aspects of the trade. Well worth planning your holidays here.

A short distance away you will find holiday parks and campsites, while the town has hotels, self catering accommodation and guest houses.

For more information on Padstow, the Estuary Directory gives another view of the local area.

Padstow Weather Forecast

Entertainment Guide

Padstow offers a range of other entertainment and attractions, if you do not take to surfing. There are a couple of good golf courses situated just outside, and watersports are available. Boat trips and sailing are in plentiful supply. The Camel Estuary between Rock and Padstow is teeming with life.

To see what's on in Padstow go to our Cornwall Events Diary.

The Camel Cycle Trail

The town is linked to Wadebridge via the Camel Trail, a well maintained and wonderfully scenic cycle trail. Cycle hire is available for this journey at either end of the route, Trail Bike Hire are located right at the beginning of the trail right next to parking.

Entertainment in Padstow also features a museum covering maritime and local history, and beautiful walks stretch out from the town. Not far away is Old MacDonald’s Farm, a great day out for the family, especially the little ones.

Eating and Drinking Out in Padstow

If you are planning on eating out in Padstow, the food in the fishing-port is excellent; fish and chips shops and restaurants sit side by side. The quality of eating out in Padstow has freatly improved in recent years, quality as well as variety.

Padstow's pubs are full of character and life, and there is a lot of choice.