Things To Do - Places to go...

Here are a few suggestions for your holiday based on the things that we love to do as well as recommendations some of our previous guests have left in the cottage diaries.

The first day of your holiday...

Top Tip:
Gently amble down to the harbour and visit award winning family run bakers The Chough for fresh bread and croissants. Pick up your favourite newspaper, stroll back and enjoy the lovely lazy morning ahead.

Spend the rest of the day exploring Padstow’s shops and galleries. Enjoy one (..or two!) of Cornwall’s famous pasties whilst sat down at the harbour side taking in all the comingsand goings of life in a small fishing village.

The second day of your holiday...

With a bit more energy on your second day take a not-to-be-missed local walk: From the cottages walk up past Prideux Place along Tregirls Lane to Tregirls Farm and follow the footpath down to Tregirls beach at the mouth of the estuary. Take in the spectacular views across to Polzeath and Brae Hill. Walk back along the beach (tide permitting) - if the tide is in keep to the coastal path. There are more spectacular views from the memorial as you walk back into Padstow. Stop off for a nice cup of tea at Greens... which also has crazy golf!

There are many good walks in the area to suit all levels of fitness. We highly recommend taking either the coastal path to the south or cross the estuary by ferry and enjoying the coastal path to the north.

The third day and onwards...

Now you've got your bearings and have really got into the holiday mood there are so many things to do in and around Padstow. Here are just a few ideas:

Camel Trail...

The Camel Trail usually beckons at some point during the holiday. This 18-mile trail is pure delight as it hugs the Camel estuary between Padstow & Wadebridge, affording some excellent bird watching and delightful wild flowers - in addition to the exercise of course! It then carries on through the beautiful wooded Camel Valley to Bodmin. By foot or on bike it has to be done! There are two cycle hire companies at the start of the trail.

St. Ives...

A little further afield is lovely St. Ives. Allow a full day for pottering around St. Ives with it’s pretty cobbled streets seaming with it’s many galleries. Take in Porthmeor Beach and maybe stop for lunch at the Tate! Our favourite is the Barbara Hepworth Sculpture Garden - a magical place where you get a real sense of her having worked there.

Top Tip:
Best way to visit St.Ives is:
Drive down to the railway halt at Lelant. This is ‘park & ride’ with a difference! Having parked your car, buy your ticket from the machine and simply wait for the train to come! Another delightful journey with amazing views over Carbis Bay and out to sea. The line ends at Portminster Beach with the wonderful Porthminster café!

Wonderful Gardens...

The warm Gulf Stream that visits the south coast makes for many wonderfully lush and beautiful gardens. Helligan is our personal favourite - the vegetable garden is incredible! Trebah is another not to be missed.

The Eden Project...

A fascinating visit in it’s own right there is also always an interesting programme of events on. The ice skating in Nov/Dec is particularly magical.

Top Tip:
Buy your tickets from the TIC in Padstow – saves queuing on arrival.

A treat to start the day...

One of our favourite spoils is breakfast at Fifteen Watergate Bay.

Top Tip:
Try to get a table by the window looking straight out to sea and watch the surfers etc. on this magnificent beach. This, together with the local wonderful food – will leave you feeling like you’ve gone to heaven!

The local beaches take a lot of beating...

St.Georges Well of Tregirls beach - walking distance
Trevone - the closest, 10mins. in the car
Harlyn – always something going on, good for surfers
Porthcothan - most southerly of the North Cornwall beaches
Constantine – good for rock pooling
Treyarnon – there is a natural swimming pool

Guide to local beaches

For that really special treat - Isles of Scilly...

Rise early, getting on the road by 8am and head for Penzance (confirm times with the helliport). Take the helicopter across to the Isles of Scilly for the day, it is totally captivating!

Top Tip:
Try to land in Tresco rather than St. Mary’s - it saves time crossing from island to island in the little boats. Visit the beautiful Abbey gardens and enjoy the peace this very special island has to offer.

Di and Ron

With so many things to do you might not want to sit back and just relax in Padstow - but you'll be missing out if you don't!

Our Final Top Tip:
To add the perfect ending to a lovely day, drive up to Trevose Head Lighthouse (take a bottle of Wine) and watch the sun go down on this beautiful county of Cornwall.