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Padstow is a small fishing town on the north coast of Cornwall which is situated within beautiful countryside and rugged coastline. The ancient fishing town has all the charm a place could ask for with its fisherman's stone cottages, cobbled streets, quays, quaint shops and lovely cafes.
Padstow is enclosed within the estuary of the River Camel and was the principal fishing port on this coast. Today there is still a small fleet of working boats but principally it is a tourism that drives the local economy.
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| Picture of the small fleet of fishing boats in Padstow harbour | |
Padstow has developed a reputation for great restaurants with Chef Rick Stein offering a range of food outlets for different tastes and budgets. Padstow harbour is usually crowded with boats offering pleasure cruises and fishing trips and surrounded by a large quayside.
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| Picture of the leisure boats moored at Padstow harbour | |
Padstow has some great beaches all within a fairly short distance on this spectacular rugged coastline. Constantine Bay is the areas best surfing beach a mile south of Trevose Head the promontory located two miles west of the sandy and secluded Harlyn Bay which is also good for swimming and surfing. The long narrow beach at Porthcothan is normally quite peaceful with narrow cliffs and an expanse of sand at low tide. A little further south is the dramatic beach at Bedruthan Steps whose jagged slates were traditionally believed to be the stepping stones of a giant called Bedruthan but swimming is not advised here due to the rocks and violent sea.
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| Picture of the golden beach at Padstow on a beautiful sunny day with calm sea. | |
Padstow is the start of two of the West Country's long distance paths: The Camel Trail a fantastic cycle route running seventeen miles up the River Camel as far as Poley's Bridge on the edge of Bodmin Moor and the ancient Saints Way which runs for 30 miles across the peninsular to Fowey linking the North and South Cornwall coasts.
There are loads of things for the family to do, enjoy exploring the hidden coves, golden beaches and walks along the coastline in this area of outstanding natural beauty.
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