Things to do in Padstow in December

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Overview

December is a less popular time to visit Padstow. The weather is usually cold and slightly windy, with temperatures ranging from 46—51°F (8—10°C). There are plenty of events to check out and activities to try in Padstow during this time. Some of our top recommendations: visit the National Lobster Hatchery, enjoy a traditional Cornish Christmas dinner at a local pub, take a cooking class at the Padstow Seafood School, and more!

Padstow has plenty to offer for visitors of all ages and interests. In this article, we tell you the top things to see and do for your December trip to Padstow. Get inspired by the events, activities, attractions, and experiences unique to December. We’ll let you know where to explore events based on your interests, whether that’s food, culture, art, music, sport or others.

We’ll let you know everything you need to prepare for the weather in Padstow in December. Learn about what to wear and pack for your trip, the average temperatures throughout December, temperature changes from morning to evening and much more.

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Best events and things to do in Padstow in December

Top experiences in December
Visit the National Lobster Hatchery
The National Lobster Hatchery in Padstow is a fascinating conservation project that aims to protect and preserve the local lobster population. In December, they often have special events and activities for visitors, making it a great time to learn about the importance of sustainable fishing.
Enjoy a traditional Cornish Christmas dinner at a local pub
Many of Padstow's pubs and restaurants offer special Christmas menus in December, featuring traditional Cornish dishes such as roast turkey with all the trimmings, Christmas pudding, and mulled wine. It's a great way to experience the local food and drink culture during the festive season.
Take a cooking class at the Padstow Seafood School
The Padstow Seafood School offers a range of cooking classes throughout the year, and in December, they often have special festive-themed classes. It's a fun and educational experience that allows you to learn new cooking skills and create some delicious Christmas dishes.
Visit Prideaux Place for a Christmas tour
Prideaux Place is a beautiful historic house in Padstow, and in December, they offer special Christmas tours that allow you to see the house decorated for the festive season. It's a great way to learn about the history of the area and get into the Christmas spirit.
Take a winter walk along the Camel Trail
The Camel Trail is a scenic walking and cycling route that follows the path of an old railway line. In December, the trail is much quieter than in the summer months, allowing you to enjoy the peaceful countryside and beautiful river views without the crowds.
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Take a festive stroll around the harbour
Padstow's picturesque harbour is a beautiful place to visit at any time of year, but in December, it takes on a special festive charm. Take a leisurely stroll around the harbour, admire the Christmas decorations, and soak up the festive atmosphere.
Visit the Padstow Christmas Market
This charming market takes place in the town square and features a variety of stalls selling handmade gifts, decorations, and festive treats. It's the perfect place to pick up some unique Christmas presents and soak up the festive atmosphere.
Sample some festive treats at Rick Stein's Patisserie
Rick Stein's famous patisserie in Padstow offers a delicious selection of festive treats in December, including mince pies, Christmas cakes, and yule logs. It's the perfect place to indulge in some sweet treats and warm up with a hot drink.
Attend the Padstow Christmas Festival
This annual event takes place in early December and features a wide range of food and drink stalls, cooking demonstrations, and live music. It's a great opportunity to sample local Cornish cuisine and get into the festive spirit.
Take a boat trip to see the Christmas lights
Many boat operators in Padstow offer special evening trips in December to see the town's Christmas lights from the water. It's a magical experience that allows you to see the town in a whole new light.
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Holidays in Padstow in December
December
  • Christmas Eve (December 24)
  • Christmas Day (December 25)
  • Boxing Day (December 26)
  • New Year's Eve (December 31)
Other notable holidays
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Weather in Padstow in December

Temperatures on an average day in Padstow in December

The average temperature in Padstow in December for a typical day ranges from a high of 51°F (10°C) to a low of 46°F (8°C). Some would describe the temperature to be cold. The general area may also feel slightly windy.

For comparison, the hottest month in Padstow, July, has days with highs of 65°F (18°C) and lows of 59°F (15°C). The coldest month, February has days with highs of 48°F (9°C) and lows of 43°F (6°C). This graph shows how an average day looks like in Padstow in December based on historical data.

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Historical temperature average in December
51°F
highs
46°F
lows

General weather summary

Cold, slightly windy
Feels like
50%
Chance of rain
0.171 in
Amount
24.8 mph
Wind speed
83%
Humidity
8.1 hrs
Daylight length
8:11 AM
Sunrise
4:17 PM
Sunset
31%
Cloud cover
Jacket, rain coat and rain boots
What to wear
What to wear in December
With an average high of 51°F (10°C) and a low of 46°F (8°C), it generally feels cold and slightly windy. There might also be a moderate chance of rain. With that in mind, most people would dress in something warm like a jacket and top it off with a rain coat and rain boots
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Best attractions for Padstow in December

Besides the array of exciting events and activities Padstow has to offer for travelers in December, we want to remind you of the classic attractions in Padstow that are great to visit at this time of the year as well! You can’t miss these iconic landmarks, local favorites, and places rich with cultural heritage. We hope to give you insights and inspiration into the best things to see and do to make the most of your visit. Here is a list of our top attractions in Padstow for December.
Padstow Harbour
1. Padstow Harbour
4.6
(3916)
Boat ramp
Sights & Landmarks
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Had to visit on our current holiday to Cornwall. Been a few years since last visit. Came in the late afternoon, so late lunch so found a pastie shop bought a few bits and the family had a small picnic along the harbour wall. Scenery was amazing fantastic sunny day . Even got a little pub stop done before heading off .can't wait to come back and try new shops and eateries.
What a great place to visit, Right at the end of the Camel trail! Risk Steins does the most amazing Gluten Free scotch eggs! Fab shoes shop there too J shoes The boot taxi to across the was great & dog friendly! Toilets well stocked, clean & open
Lovely setting, quaint hidden gem. Nice views and great smells of restaurant food on the street. Nice walk around the town and good place to relax. Lots of shops, bars and restaurants close to the harbour, good place to hire a boat for some sightseeing
I visited at the good old Mayday event “obby Oss” is the horse you can see in some of the photos. Celebrating the start of summer a long tradition where you have the “reds” the old & the “blues” new age dancing around the streets celebrating the start of summer.
What a beautiful town to visit is my favour town in Cornwall is small but is got a big personality is got several car parks you have Rick Stein’s fish & chips they rubbish by the way but good takeaways & coffee shops plus amazing restaurants I can recommend Mr. Wig. YouTube
A nice harbour area with plenty of shops and cafes, very busy when we visited on Saturday in October. A ferry run regularly across to Rockport.
Nice litte harbour, I must say that it was smaller than I expected, look like good for family with kids as I could see kids were very happy catching crabs around the Habour. We had fish and chips and it was nice
Great place. Lovely views. Lovely village. And also daily boat trips to "The Rock". Only Bout £3 each way.
National Lobster Hatchery
2. National Lobster Hatchery
4.4
(1085)
Aquarium
Nature & Parks
Conservation center with nursery tours, educational activities & the chance to adopt a hatchling.
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informative and enjoyable, loved seeing the babies. staff were very friendly and had loads of information to share with us about the mums with eggs. they have a cute little gift shop with magnets, toys etc etc. fair price. £8 for an adult and return all year, we are not from the area but visit a couple times a year so to be able to come next time for free is a winner!
If you're visiting on holiday the £24 family access is quite a lot for what's there. We were done in about 45 min including letting the kids colour and do the word searches etc upstairs. However you can visit as much as you like for 12m so it does offer good value in that respect. My kids enjoyed the activity area and watching the boats so you could return to kill an hour or so fairly often if you were local. The staff were really friendly and knowledgeable and spent ages answering questions, plus the view from the first floor across the estuary is beautiful. You can see a lot of thought has been put into making it more of an attraction. If you can find a place with leaflets for days out, you'll likely find a voucher which definitely makes it better value for money.
We visited for the first time this half term. It’s rather small but really informative and educational and the volunteers are so passionate and we learnt a lot we didn’t know about lobsters 🦞, definitely recommend as it’s a little gem of a place to learn all about them! We will definitely visit again on our next trip to Cornwall, easily accessible from the parking directly opposite and then we went into padstow for ice cream after
Loved it, very informative, a little shorter than anticipated but not sure how it could be extended. Nice to see what they do, how they help lobsters and a history of how they've done it. I'd recommend it. Not too expensive. (Gutted the gift shop didn't have any pens- I like to collect pens from everywhere I visit)
A surprisingly interesting place. A small but perfectly formed experience. We took the grandchildren and unexpectedly stayed for over two hours. It was fascinating to learn about lobsters and the important work of the Hatchery. Friendly and helpful staff. Great to see the lobsters, especially the baby ones. Informative film too.
The hatchery is located in Padstow by the harbourside. It relys totally on funding from visitors to the centre and so I would encourage anyone to go and visit and support this brilliant project. The centre is small but there are lots of tanks with sea creatures to view, lots of very interrelated information about lobsters that I never knew about and upstairs you can watch a very clever film about lobsters and the young ones have an area where they can get active with colouring etc. I visited as part of my Lobster release course with Scuba Ry Divers and I will definitely return. Well worth a visit to support a worthy cause
It's a nice place to look around but in my opinion it's a little pricey. Fair enough once you pay the first time you can go back for free for a year but I don't think that there is enough there for a return journey. It's a good place to bring the kids and they can learn all about lobsters and even see baby ones.
Extremely interesting, fun and informative. So good that I had to go twice! Great for kids and adults alike, friendly staff and a little shop too.
Camel Trail Cycle Hire
3. Camel Trail Cycle Hire
4.8
(546)
Bicycle rental service
Nature & Parks
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I hired a Volt Metro e-bike today and thoroughly enjoyed a nice, easy ride to Padstow and back. Thanks to Ollie for showing me the ropes and giving me the confidence to climb on board. It's years since I rode a bike and I was a little nervous of the e-bike, needlessly so as it happens because it was a piece of cake!! The Metro is the perfect size for shorter people like me, and the bike was surprisingly light to handle. The controls are really easy to master, believe me, if I can do it, anyone can! I'd chosen the most perfect day for a ride along the trail, the Camel estuary looked spectacular in the sunshine and as I was zooming along I had time to reflect on how lucky I am to live in such a beautiful place. So, my trial ride was a success and now I can get on with ordering my own bike... as long as I can have a cream one! Ollie, I'll be in touch😊
Great experience all round. Booking online was easy, was given a parking space on arrival and instructions on how to use the bike were very good, especially as I'd never used an electric bike before but I found it very easy and enjoyable. The padlock provided was also very good. The website didn't show a storage bag on the e-bikes but there was a really spacious one provided. I'd definitely recommend. The only thing that would potentially make it better is to be sent the terms & conditions' disclaimer with the booking email to save time on the day, which I was told is something that's being considered.
The booking itself was straight forward online. The post code you’re given sends you to another cycle hire company but the gentleman was lovely and gave us directions, which was just a further minute down the road. Collection of the bikes were also straight forward. They made sure we all had the right size bikes and that ours seats were adjusted ready for the ride. Gave us our instructions and off we went. We only managed to cycle to Padstow and back as we stayed there and did some crabbing with the kids. Next time I’d like to make the most of the trail and do the full 18 miles but everyone can do as they please along the way. We had a pit stop at ‘Atlantic Coast Express’ where they do the best Nutella crepes and mint chocolate chip ice cream - very friendly man serving. Returning the bikes, again very straight forward and you receive an email once you’ve returned them. We picked ours up at 9.30am so managed to park for free for the day. It did say on the website ‘first come, first serve’ We will definitely be returning and using this company! Nothing they could improve on, apart from maybe a bigger car park but that’s not the end of the world. Beautiful trail using excellent bikes!
A 10+, Our large family, most vacationing from America, had the great pleasure of renting bikes from Camel Trail Cycle Hire. Ollie and his amazing staff assisted our group of 10 riders impeccably. Despite calling at the last minute, due to weather issues with our original hire date, Ollie was able to set us all up with fantastic bikes. Most of our riders chose E-bikes, which were amazing! Highly recommend giving one a try, especially if you haven't ridden a bike in a few years. An E-bike can do almost all of the heavy lifting for you, or if you choose, just offer gentle assistance when needed. They were so much fun to ride. We rode the Camel trail from Wadbridge to Padstow, and it was absolutely amazing! Make time to do this ride, a whole day of fun from start to finish, you wont be disappointed! The port village of Padstow is story book amazing, as Amarican's, we couldn't believe its character and beauty. Thank you, Ollie, you guys went above and beyound and made our day out that much more enjoyable! Highly recommend!!
Excellent team - lovely bicycles, would 100% return to this team if I ever visit bodmin again. The whole booking process, collection of cycles and return was smooth. The team ensures the cycles are comfortable for you before you set off. The team also kindly extended our return time as we collected the cycles quite late. Thank you so much team, you guys are amazing. We loved this experience!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Five of us were down in Cornwall on a surf trip, and on a windy day we decided to swap the boards for bikes and try out the Camel Trail. We weren’t sure where to start, so we popped into Camel Trail Cycle Hire, where Ollie was incredibly helpful. He set us up with the right bikes, made sure everything was adjusted perfectly for each of us, and gave us clear advice on which direction to head. The ride itself was brilliant — flat, easy, and full of stunning estuary views as we made our way towards Padstow. On the way back we stopped for coffee and cake at a quirky little converted railway carriage café, which was a real highlight. Since the trail is so manageable, we carried on past Wadebridge and all the way to Bodmin for lunch, using the sturdy locks Ollie provided to secure the bikes. The bikes were comfortable and practical, especially with the waterproof saddlebags that came in really handy for coats and bits we picked up along the way. When we returned to the shop, Ollie was just as friendly and genuinely interested in hearing about our day. All in all, it was a fantastic experience — top quality bikes, a stunning route, and customer service that went above and beyond. Highly recommend Camel Trail Cycle Hire if you’re in the area.
A last minute late night decision to hire an electric bike from camel trail hire and they had a bike ready for the next morning ! Also at a very fair price The bike was in great condition, everything working as it should, helmet, bike lock and pannier bag all on either side the price Super easy access to the camel trail , did a lovely run to Padstow and back to wadebridge followed by the run up to Bodmin and back, 25.5 miles of glorious cornish landscape The staff at camel trail hire went through all the detail on the bike and made sure I was happy before letting me loose! A very bike Thankyou to the team for make the experience so enjoyable and easy, I will be back for another hire !
Good team very efficient. On sight parking but would recommend getting there early to get a space. Bikes were well maintained. We also had a dog buggy for our dog - took him a few minutes to get used to it. Very easy trail for all abilities
Harlyn
4. Harlyn
Nature & Parks
Beaches
Harlyn is a small village on the north coast of Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. It is situated inland from Harlyn Bay three miles from Padstow and about one mile from St. Merryn. Harlyn Bay and the surrounding farm has been owned by the Hellyar family since 1800. Wikipedia.
Constantine Bay
5. Constantine Bay
Nature & Parks
Beaches
Constantine Bay is a village and beach on the Atlantic coast of north Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. It is situated approximately three miles west of Padstow and is in the parish of St Merryn. The beach is sandy and is popular with surfers and has lifeguard patrols in the summer. Wikipedia.
Treyarnon Bay
6. Treyarnon Bay
4.9
(95)
Bay
Outdoor Activities
Busy, family-friendly beach featuring an expanse of fine sand framed by cliffs & dunes.
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Great place to visit and one of my wife's most special places in the world. The waves were amazing and very good for those who like body boarding. The beach is amazing with lots of little pools in the sand.
Great place to visit ,The waves were amazing and the beach was lovely with lots of little pools in the sand ,great to rock climb too ,only pain we had was getting out on the road was very slow and narrow and took a long while other then that it was a great beach .
One of (if not the) best beaches in Cornwall. We love it for sunsets, surfing and a well earned BBQ!! And maybe a little fire for marshmallows.
Great Beach which can get small on a high tide, sea conditions can be challenging with restricted swimming/playing area. But, on a low tide, loads of room and plunge pools in the rocks.
The best dog friendly beach I've ever been too. Lovely sandy beach. A Tidal rock pool as big as a swimming pool.
Wish we'd spotted this sooner. Beautiful bay and lifeguard covered, dog-friendly beach with a sea pool along the North shore. Lots of rock pools to explore too. In spite of the huge grassed car park, it's so much quieter than the other main beaches. Plenty of places beach-side - cafe, toilets, shop. Brilliant. The coast path leads straight off the beach either side. North takes you to Constantine Bay (another beautiful beach). The South path takes you past plenty of scenic views - Pepper, Warren, Fox, Rowan and Long Coves, before reaching Porthcothan Bay. Saved this as a favourite spot.
Great beach. Huge at load tide. As well as the larger rock pool at the top there are lots of smaller ones for easier access. Crystal clear water. Shop and takeaway on the car park in summer. Great views from the easily accessible cliffs above with lots of benches to admire the view.
First visit in 40 years and a regular holiday location in the early 1960’s in childhood holidays. A beautiful beach, good for all, whether it be beach, caves, rock pools, surfing. The road to it is single track most of the way and the car park looks as though it’s had tanks training on it, so uneven. Limited stores but toilets are there. Very uncommercial which suits me fine.
Trevone Bay
7. Trevone Bay
4.7
(818)
Outdoor Activities
Beaches
Slide 1 of 8
There are stunning views from the cliff tops surrounding the beautiful bay of Trevone. There is a lovely cafe close to the beach which serves delicious food and drinks which is pretty good priced. There are toilets beside the cafe which you have to pay to enter which is still cash only payment.
Really nice little sandy beach with good facilities suitable for family with young children. There is also a tidal pool nearby. For those who prefer to hike, there is a path on both sides of the beach with amazing views. Look out for the Trevone Round Hole. There is a shop, cafe, bar, public toilet and two parking areas. You can pay for parking either with the ticket machine or via app.
Lovely beach, shops, cafes and restaurants available. Accessible beach with a small slope. Benches to sit on if you don’t want to go on the beach. Good parking if you get there early enough.
Lovely beach for families, the little stream provides a perfect place for little ones to safely dip their toes in the water and the sand is soft and clean. The beach slopes gently so even the shallows are fairly safe. It's worth taking a walk up to Trevone Round Hole which takes about 30 minutes to go up, walk around the hole and get back to the beach. The views from the cliffs up there are stunning. The parking sign states that your ticket must be visible face up on the dash, but your timings are clocked by camera coming in and leaving so don't be tempted to over stay and go by the time you enter, not the time you get your ticket. The road down to the beach is very narrow so take it slowly as you will encounter oncoming traffic and pedestrians.
We only visited for last nights sunset so can't really give any detailed feedback on Trevone Bay. The road into Trevone was very tight and caution is advised with oncoming traffic. The car park was up on the hill over looking the beach and cost us around £4 for the hour and half we were there which is a little pricey but on par with other car parks around Cornwall. The beach is only small and was very busy with many there to watch the sunset and take a late night dip. The sunset didn't disappoint and was absolutely beautiful, my 2 children (5 & 11) had never watched a sunset before and will no doubt remember the experience the rest of their lives . Plenty of photo opportunities and will live long in the memory.
Roads tight take it steady reward at bottom is amazing beautiful clean beach amazing place 1000s of photo opportunities from the sea itself to rock formations and absolutely picture perfect place
THE bay to visit in Cornwall! Amazing bay, lovely shop, cafe and bar. Staff are so kind and helpful. Life guards on duty on normal times of the season. Just a magical place....
Lovely little bay. On a big tide it leaves little to no beach likewise on a lower tide lots of sand is exposed. Can get rough, has waves, etc., so be cautious whilst swimming especially with kids. Either side of the bay is a rocky cliff face with some reef. There is a bar/restaurant near the car park which is expensive but that's expected, given the location.
Prideaux Place
8. Prideaux Place
4.6
(470)
Temporarily Closed
Country house
Sights & Landmarks
Opulent 1500s manor with art & antiques, with tours of the house, lush grounds & deer park.
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Really enjoyed this visit, being escorted around by one of the family was a big bonus. What a charming , witty and knowledgeable lady. The only downside was the time of year we visited as the deer park with it's estuary views was closed due to the deer breeding.
Interesting place to visit. Lovely guided tour of the house. Beautiful gardens. And a lovely deer herd that you can help feed. (Dependant on the time when the keeper is feeding them)
Great place to visit. The family has lived there since 1592. So much history and still a family home. We had a tour and fortunately for us there we were the only 2 people on it at that time, noon. The guide Hazel was fantastic and extremely informative, friendly, and funny. We were so lucky to have a personal tour. The cafe was lovely and the food was good and tasty. Staff were helpful and friendly. The fallow deer they have were being fed at the time and my good lady got the chance to hand feed one of them. Definitely recommend visiting.
A lovely historic house and garden with a deer park. A family home with character going back centuries. The house tour is informative and the meals are well worth trying. I recommend people take time to visit.
The garden here is a lovely unpretentious and restful place to walk, with well chosen planting, as well as delightfully leafy woodland, with old trees, plenty of birdsong, and - in mid June - the lovely woodland smell of wild garlic. The paths are fairly easy for less able visitors, with plenty of places to stop and sit in shade or sun. Welcome peace and relief for those who don't wish to spend all of every day at the wonderful local beaches.
We did a house tour and it was fabulous. Carol our guide made it really interesting, and each of the rooms we saw was a ‘wow’ in a different way. Beautiful house with loads of history.
I was staying in Padstow and Prideaux Place was literally a ten minute walk away. It was a guided tour by a lovely member of the family who gave us a very interesting and informative tour around some of the main rooms. The history was fascinating and the hour went very quickly. The gardens, outbuildings and grounds are free for you to wander around at your own leisure. I did so after a delicious lunch sitting on the terrace in front of the house in glorious sunshine. To summarise I considered it well worth the entry fee and one not to be missed if staying in the Padstow area.
Absolutely stunning house. History is etched into every wall and room. Thoroughly eenjoyed the tour by knowledgeble staff. Beautiful surroundings and gardens and of course the amazing deer park. Well worth a visit.
Retallack Water Sports
9. Retallack Water Sports
4.5
(201)
Water park
Water & Amusement Parks
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Been swimming there every day now for a few weeks, the monthly fee is reasonable, and the staff are always helpful and friendly. Elle has been so helpful, I took my 2 year old granddaughter there today,and Elle provided us with a few floating toys,and made my granddaughters first swimming session a successful trip! Going back tomorrow.
Tickets for this can either be purchased online or at the cafe attached. Pre-booking is highly recommended. They have a tow line which will pull you along in rings like we did, or I assume they do "wakeboarding" as there are ramps there as well. There is a decent size inflatable assault course there as well. Life vests and helmets provided, small charge for wetsuits if I remember correctly. Cafe, does tea, coffee, soft drinks, ice creams. But pricey, but as expected for where it is. Small car park nearby.
Great inflatable setup, enjoyed going over all the obstacles. There were however two massive negatives to the experience. The men’s changing rooms were closed & the staff stated the ladies changing rooms should be used as a unisex changing room even though they were open plan with no cubicles. The other negative is the website gives no indication for how busy the slots are, we unfortunately ended up in a very overcrowded session because of this…
Groups of fully grown adults, mixed with groups with young children, should not be sharing the inflatable aqua park in the same session, totally unsafe. It was like throwing your kids onto the pitch during an adult rugby match. We were a group of five adults with five children aged between 6 and 11 for a birthday party. 2 of the lifeguards were speaking so loudly amongst themselves during the safety brief that the quietly spoken instructor could not be heard. During the session there was a small group of younger adults who had no regard for anyone else using the water park. Charging around and launching themselves over the top of quite terrified 6 year olds trying to balance and stay upright themselves. The lifeguards were a little unfortunate on this day as this group were particularly unaware of themselves and were frankly, a sandwich short of a picnic. The issue I have is by the time the lifeguards noticed and did something about it, this group had already shoved me in while assisting my kids around the course and then repeated the action. The lifeguards had to watch them like hawks from then on and it just made it a poor experience, with significant risk of injury. I explained this the following day and a refund was agreed, however this took 5 weeks to action, multiple emails and calls had to be made to follow up to get the refund. If the changing rooms had some privacy for males and females alike and if a family session was available for U12s for example, this would improve the offering. Adult groups need to be separate to young children or controlled in a far stricter way.
Lovely people but if you want to buy a bag of haribos your need to sell your life savings.
Great place to try water sports, we did paddleboarding, but each activity has to be paid for separately which can work out a bit pricey. That said, they provided wet suits at no extra charge and the instructors were helpful.
The water activities are really fun! A mixture of slides, a trampoline, climbing domes and frames, obstacles courses, a hamster wheel and a swing make up the majority of the inflatables on the water. Really worth the experience! The staff are also friendly and professional, with adequate parking nearby. No swimming expertise required, although some upper body strength would be good for body hoisting.
The course in the pictures in completely different to what it is. Beach cafe was closed although it states open. No clear signs of where to go or parking. No happy with it as its very mis leading. Small course and false advertising
Padstow Brewing Company
10. Padstow Brewing Company
4.6
(40)
Brewery
Food & Drink
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We had a paddle each - a great way to taste the different ales and ciders. Accompanied by a cheese platter. There was live music on and the staff were smiley and welcoming. Great atmosphere.
We booked for a large group of us for a tutored beer tasting and lunch. It was very enjoyable indeed. John gave a very informative and interesting talk about the beers, and coped very well with the fact that half the group were French, so there was a lot of translating going on, making it a tad chaotic for him. All the staff were extremely friendly and helpful, and the food was delicious. Everyone commented on what a lovely time we'd had. Thank you all so much.
Sadly I was unable to order beers directly from the brewery due to the ridiculous delivery charges. It seems there is a blanket rate for 'Scotland ' which cost more than the beer I intended to buy! I found the same beers elsewhere at a far better rate
Really pleasant spot for some lovely ale and good light bites. Seems to have better opening hours for food than a lot of the pubs in Padstow too. We had a crab platter (lovely crab - and a generous amount) and a charcuterie platter and some delicious May Day summer ale. Lovely staff with great table service in a spacious, nicely decorated room. Very dog friendly too. We always make a point of coming here - usually just for a drink but we were hungry this time.
I visited Padstow August 2024. The local Padstow Brewing Company ales and ciders are really impressive. The owner/brew master met us for the tour, we were fortunate and sampled lots of brews. Recently tried their online shop, but selection was limited . The customer service is great. I chose to wait and delay my order when there are new brews available. It is a bit more expensive than other brewers but this is a good independent brewery. I live a long way from Cornwall and only visit once a year so its nice. It's going to be nice to have a pint of Padstow at home.
We had a fantastic tasting with Becs she was fantastic very knowledgeable and gave a brilliant insight into the Padstow Brewing Company. Well worth a visit and the talk is a must go. Every Thursday 4-5. Just brilliant. Thank you
Firstly I must admit that I have never personally visited the Padstow Brewing Co but I was lucky enough to receive an assortment gift box for my birthday. The 3 beers I have tasted so far are all up there amongst some of the best beers I have tasted and I have been a real ale connoisseur for a very long time. Rest assured I will visit personally the next time I am in Padstow, all the very best for the future, we need small and independent Brewing companies like you.
Spent a day watching and helping George the brewer do the end to end process of brewing beer. Fantastic day, very educational and lots of tastings along the way. Highly recommend for anyone interested in the brewing process.
Stepper Point
11. Stepper Point
4.8
(165)
Sights & Landmarks
Hiking area
Picturesque point overlooking the bay, with a coastal watch station open to the public.
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A gorgeous headland which is part of the South West Coast Trail. The headland above Stepper Point is topped by a 40 ft (12 m) stone tower built in 1830 as a 'day mark' to serve as a navigation beacon for seafarers during daylight, it is visible from over 30 miles offshore and still referred to as the ‘Daymark’
If you get a decent day this is an absolute must. The views are stunning and its a walk to remember.
Great place to visit, if you like the coastal path it's a great walk. Don't be like me though and do it in a t-shirt, it's quite windy and a bit chilly!
Lovely walk, took around 20 minutes from the nearest road but worth it for the views.
My fav fishing spot around this area, you can get right down to the water you have to look for a tiny path after the observation building that dog legs left and ends you up under the cliff face.
Nice place to chill after a long coastal walk. Amazing views
Lovely stroll out to the edge of a cliff. The views are the best you will see from anywhere. Truly breathtaking. From parking to point takes about 30 minutes at a steady pace. Completely free
Though this may look like a chimney it is actually a look out tower for the fishermen that you can enter. This tower, being so high, also had a fire beacon lit at the top to guide the fishing boats home.
Macdonald's Farm
12. Macdonald's Farm
4.6
(672)
Camping farm
Sights & Landmarks
Seasonal, family-run B&B on a working farm offering animals and activities for kids.
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First visit, won’t be the last!! Very tidy, Well maintained campsite with level pitches. None of them seemed to be too far away from the amenities. Lovely and quiet in the evenings. Park and play area was a fantastic safe place for the kids and lots of benches for the adults to sit and watch (with a cider!). The bar and restaurant was great, plenty of seating even in the school holidays. We would highly recommend breakfasts, pizza and farm feast night, the menu was very accommodating for children. Shop was Well stocked with everything you need. The bar had a nice selection of beers and ciders as well as fresh coffee throughout the day. Shower blocks were very clean and the family blocks were very convenient with their own sink and toilet. Loved the dog wash and outdoor wetsuit shower after a day at the nearby beach. See you soon!
We stayed one night, and wish we had stayed longer! We stayed in one of the rooms, and it was spacious and well appointed. The duvet was super fluffy and warm. The staff were fantastic and friendly, and especially helpful when we spilled hot cocoa on the aforementioned duvet! They found a replacement even though it was after 7pm and housekeeping had gone home, and we were very grateful. Dinner and breakfast were both very well prepared. This is about 15 minutes walking uphill from the Southwest Coast Path, but if you're doing that walk, it's worth the effort to come here!
Fantastic Campervan Stay – Perfect for Families We stayed in our campervan for 4 nights at the end of September and had a brilliant time. From the moment we arrived, the reception team were warm and welcoming, and all the staff we encountered were helpful and friendly. The site was immaculate - clean, well-maintained, and clearly cared for. Before our friends arrived the next day, a little buggy even came around to check everything was spotless and ready, which we thought was a lovely touch. We ate twice in the onsite bar and seating area, which had a really cosy and relaxing atmosphere. We tried the meat feast night and pizza night - both were delicious! Not forgetting very dog friendly too. The outdoor space was fantastic for children, with oversized Connect 4, trampolines, a great play area, and even onsite animals, including alpacas, which were a hit with the kids! Location-wise, it was ideal, just a 15 minute walk to Porthcothan beach, and with a bus stop right outside the entrance that takes you to Newquay or Padstow. All in all, an amazing mini break, made even better by glorious weather. We’ll definitely be back!
We love this place and this is our third year camping here. The site is lovely and location is brilliant. The food there is great, and the atmosphere, especially when live music is on, is perfect. The kids love the park and the animals and all the staff are super nice and helpful. There’s a little shop for essentials, chest freezers for storing food and a nice dog walking area. We will be back for our fourth stay next year. The only thing this year, is that we noticed a big drop in the cleanliness of the toilets and showers. It’s a really busy site and they are simply not cleaned enough or well enough. We found the showers in the mornings were still full of the same mud, sand, hair, that was all there the previous evening. This isn’t something we’ve ever experienced here on previous visits. Just feeding this back in hope it can be rectified, as when camping, the toilets and showers are so important. I would also say, the site is notably busier with day guests, and it felt really busy at times, with huge bar queues. This can also create some dodgy parking and a lot of cars out front, it’s not ideal, so worth being aware of that when you have younger children.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ We’ve just had the most amazing roast dinner at MacDonald’s Farm near Porthcothan — their very first ever roast sitting, and they absolutely nailed it! The setting couldn’t be more perfect — a brilliant location just a short walk from the beach, with a roaring fire, cosy atmosphere and lovely relaxed vibe. The presentation and food were spot on, and the staff were so polite, friendly and attentive throughout. I had the 28-day aged Cornish Topside of Beef and my daughter had the free-range chicken supreme infused with Cornish sea salt — both cooked to perfection. The sharing platters were beautifully served with crispy roast potatoes, Yorkshire puddings, seasonal veg, cauliflower cheese, and maple-glazed carrots and parsnips — everything was full of flavour and clearly made with care. It was the perfect way to spend a Sunday — a beach walk followed by full bellies and happy hearts. Can’t wait to go back!
We had such a fantastic stay at this family-oriented campsite! The facilities are excellent clean, well-maintained, and perfect for both adults and children. The pitches are spacious and well laid out, making it really comfortable and easy to settle in. One of the real highlights is the on-site café/restaurant. The food was delicious, and we loved the welcoming atmosphere. On certain dates, they even host live music which was such a treat and added a really fun element to our evenings. The play area for the children is amazing and having access to see all the animals as well was lovely. Overall, it’s the perfect spot for a family getaway. Great facilities, great food, and a wonderful environment—we’ll definitely be back!
Lovely place, first stayed in July for two weeks. Perfect place near the coast. Lovely food and added bonus of animals! Facilities are well maintained and plentiful. Staff who I have interacted with have all been friendly and a real credit to the business. Enjoyed it so much decided to go back for an overnight stop on a road trip on the way back home to Yorkshire.
We stayed one night in a Guest Room and wished we had booked for longer. The room was spacious, comfortable, and well appointed, with a wonderfully fluffy and warm duvet. The staff were fantastic – friendly, welcoming, and attentive. Dinner and breakfast were both excellent and beautifully prepared. The animals, especially the chickens and alpacas, added so much charm and made the stay even more memorable. It’s about a 15-minute uphill walk from the Southwest Coast Path, but absolutely worth it for such a lovely experience.
Rock-Padstow Ferry
13. Rock-Padstow Ferry
4.6
(297)
Transportation service
Transportation
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We walked to Rock from the caravan site and decided to take the very short ferry ride over to Padstow. Reasonable cost of 3.00 each, I don't normally do boats of any kind, this was really good and is about 5 mins from one side to the other.
Great service, friendly staff. Great trip helped by sunny weather
Great price, great service and quick crossing time.
Quick, easy and fun! Good access for all, dog friendly, great views and an awesome experience. Staff were really friendly too 😊
Quick, convenient, and affordable Great little ferry that gets you across in just a few minutes. Super convenient and much cheaper than driving around. Runs regularly and makes getting between Padstow and Rock really easy.
Came for a holiday in February. Always love Cornwall, especially Padstow and the Ferry.The staff are always polite and friendly and welcome our little 16 year old dog onboard with his dog buggy.🙂🙂
Nice little experience But Padstow Harbour Authority appear to be recruiting some very unsociable and arrogant Staff, and I’m not the only one who has mentioned it , new harbour building , new staff , new ?…
Lovely ferry ride to Padstow and back to Rock. Great value for money and dog friendly 👍
Padstow Museum
14. Padstow Museum
4.6
(54)
Heritage museum
Museums
Small museum showcasing various artefacts & documents related to the history of Padstow & its port.
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Superb museum not big but crammed with fascinating local history including information about the Cist graves on Harlyn Bay Thanks to ALL who volunteer
Information outside said that the museum would be open 10 to 4 on Good Friday so we went to the Lobster Hatchery and then came back at one o'clock to find it was closing. No external information about early closing had been displayed to my recollection. I appreciate the it is run by volunteers but that doesn't mean it can be amateurish.
Friendly staff and nice little place. It’s a very small museum about the size of 2 small rooms, good history, and won’t take long to visit. Very close to the car park and worth a visit.
Wow what a lovely find whilst wondering around behind Mr Stein’s deli. A charming place full of local history, well laid out and some great audio visuals to watch. Staff were charming and informative. 😊
Very friendly volunteers at the desk. Who were happy to part with their own knowledge. It was great seeing Padstow history in pictures, videos and artifacts. My 10y old loved it
Great little Museum full of interesting facts, I learnt lots, like the Curse of the Doombar and the difference between a Cock and a Hen Pasty! FREE and run by volunteers, but feel free to offer a donation.
Small but interesting museum. Free to enter, relying on donations from visitors. A very informative member of staff on hand to answer any questions you may have regarding the local history.
Very good, very tight area though, could be spread out better in the building if more room.
Padstow Tap Room on Broad Street
15. Padstow Tap Room on Broad Street
4.8
(197)
Bar
Food & Drink
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Lovely spot. The staff (namely Alex and Becs who served us) were lovely and welcoming. They were quick to serve us and stayed friendly even as the little place got busy. We both had a flight, I had wine and my partner had the beer flight, we both loved it. We also shared a crab sandwich and some olives which were great portions and really fresh crab/bread. Good value for money and some really interesting drinks. Definitely stop by.
Stumbled on this tap room and was so very impressed. Staff were really nice and knowledgeable about their beers, and top tip: get upstairs into the lounge and sit by the window for a brilliant people-watching spot. Really cool atmosphere upstairs. Delicious beers!
Small quaint place to taste some local drinks. The owner couldn't do enough for us. They had a great selection of beers, ciders, wine and cocktails
Came here to try a flight of locally produced beers. A delicious smoked porter, a light hippy hazy pale IPA, and a lovely bitter ale. And had a cheeky half of cider. There's seating downstairs, and a cosy lounge upstairs. Staff were helpful and cheery. We didn't order food, although it smelled delicious.
Very nice beer and especially the cider! Try the tasting of three drinks for 5£ and don't forget the cider as it's one of the better ones that I have tried. Sat upstairs and enjoyed the escape from the busy summer street's of Padstow, but you can also sit outside. Limited seats. Friendly staff. Recommended!!!
An amazing selection of beers and ciders available, had a pint of the cask IPA and I've not had anything before that's come close to it. Staff were fantastic and really accommodating even letting us sit outside with a fish and chips from the chippy next door while ordering drinks from them. This place is a must for any beer or cider enthusiasts. We're definitely coming back again.
We loved the trying the different beers, doing the flight is a great idea. The local brut was very easy drinking too. Nice that you can buy beers to take away. A good find after other places on the harbour were full!
Great find slightly smaller set up and couple less beers on taps but personally we preferred this one to the brewing companies other venue. Great choice of beers very accommodating friendly staff a must visit to try a selection of beers when in Padstow!
RNLI Padstow Lifeboat Station
16. RNLI Padstow Lifeboat Station
4.8
(81)
Non-profit organization
Museums
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Haven't done this review for a while as had to get some more info. Brilliant place to visit, with stunning views open to the public aslong you get out of the way if they get a shout. If you want it more in-depth call in this weekend as they're having an open weekend that's the 11th- 12th August where you can be shown around and ask the crew any questions you may have. It's worth going just for the stunning views the rest is a bonus. The Lifeboat is a voluntary organisation and these guys risk there lives for people in trouble at Sea and sometimes sadly don't come back, so go and see them it's well worth the effort 😊😊😊.
I had planned to visit RNLI Padstow as part of my 2025 motorcycle trip, but upon arriving at Padstow, I found two of the Station's volunteers at the harbour front, fundraising. I got talking to one of them (Sam) who informed me that the station was in something of a state of flux at the moment, with some essential repairs being carried out. Consequently, all their boats were actually in the harbour. I gave a donation to them and then had a little walk around this very pretty and bustling little harbour town. I will let the photos show you why you should visit Padstow if you get the chance! All I WILL say is...BEWARE OF THE SEAGULLS! They have the precision of a Stuka Dive Bomber and WILL relieve you of any food you may be trying to eat whilst walking! Stand with your back against a wall if you want to keep your ice cream!
Walked to the Lifeboat station one evening. It's currently shut to the public, I believe due to rock fall. Amazing lifeboat station, and some amazing views from there too.
I arrived to do some photography on a gloomy wet day, lovely walk along the coast to the lifeboat station, the walk around the headland takes you to trevose lighthouse.
Wasn't open on the day we visited but still some great views to be had
Wild coastal views. Incredible volunteers and crews that launch from places like this to save lives.
Amazing structure for folks who do a challenging but essential job.
We attended the life boat open day and it was well worth it. It was well organised and the staff were friendly and helpful getting us to the site. The roads were blocked quite a bit and it took us a while to reach the car park but with the narrow roads and wide berth caravans going to a site near the station, I think they did pretty well. Some drivers should learn patience though. The station itself was well worth seeing and the display they put on was brilliant, I'd definitely attend next time if they held it here.

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