About the Area
Things to do in the area whilst on holiday in Padstow and Rock.
The rugged landscape along the coast of North Cornwall has a unique charm and offers a wide range of activities to suit both the young and the young at heart. When you have explored the coastline, why not visit one or two of the many interesting towns and villages in Cornwall, or sample one of Cornwall's visitor attractions... there are so many things to do whilst on holiday in Padstow, Rock and the surrounding area!
The Coastline
The villages along the coastline to Padstow boast some of the most spectacular beaches in North Cornwall. St. Merryns' slogan "7 bays for 7 days" illustrates the multitude of coves available.
The first of the seven bays is at Trevone where the delightful sandy beach attracts swimmers and surfers all year. Harlyn Bay, half a mile west has a fine, half-mile long stretch of sandy beach, perfect for swimming and surfing and is backed by dunes, low cliffs and fields. Mother Ivey’s Bay, on the other side of Cataclews Point, is small and secluded, with a steeply shelving beach. The greens and fairways of Trevose Golf and Country Club stretch back from the sands at Booby’s Bay which is a surfer’s favourite.
Moving south down the coast, the next beach is at Constantine Bay. Fringed by sand dunes, Constantine Bay provides swimming and year-round surfing facilities. Treyarnon Bay is a narrow sandy beach with rocks on its northern side providing many rock pools and a large natural swimming pool. A mile to the south is the seventh and final beach at Porthcothan Bay. Long and narrow, it is bordered by dramatic cliffs on both sides.
Trevone, a small village one and a half miles from Padstow, sits above and around its popular and sandy surfing and swimming beach. Dogs are not allowed on the main beach between Easter Day and 1st October. There is a village stores and Post Office, beach shop, café and two large car parks. St Merryn boasts a mediaeval church, Bronze and Iron Age settlements, holiday complexes, caravan parks and a golf course and country club. St Merryn has a post office, a filling station, several shops and a fish and chip shop with cafe. There are also several licensed restaurants and two pubs - The Farmers Arms and The Cornish Arms.
St Eval parish with its sandy beach, rocky coves and spectacular coastline. Porthcothan Beach, with its golden sands, dunes, cliffs and rock pools, is ideal for a family holiday or as a picnic spot. The gorse-covered cliffs between Bedruthan and Porthcothan are at their most beautiful in early summer.
Saints founded the parishes of St Issey and Little Petherick and the Saints’ Way passes through the villages on its way to Fowey. Public footpaths run along both sides of the creek to join the Camel Trail by the Iron Bridge on the outskirts of Padstow.
The majority of the main beaches are patrolled by Life Guards, but please be sensible regarding safe use of the sea.
Other places to see whilst on holiday in Padstow and Rock heading inland:-
Inland away from the rugged but beautiful coastline around North Cornwall, you will find many pretty little villages and vibrant historical towns, including the county town of Truro. Looking towards the south from Padstow is Bodmin Moor, full of mystery and majesty with the peaks of Brown Willy and Rough Tor.
A popular attraction has to include the wide selection of beautiful gardens throughout Cornwall. These include:
The Eden Project www.edenproject.com
The Lost Gardens of Heligan www.heligan.com
and gardens hosted by the National Trust such as Lanhydrock, Trerice, Trelissick, Glendurgan and Tregwainton. www.nationaltrust.co.uk
Other gardens of note include:
Pencarrow www.pencarrow.co.uk
Trevarno www.trevano.co.uk
Trebah www.trebah-garden.co.uk
Great family days out of the “animal nature” include:
The National Seal Sanctuary www.sealsanctuary.co.uk
Paradise Park www.paradisepark.org.uk
Newquay Zoo www.newquayzoo.org.uk
The Bluereef Aquarium www.bluereefaquarium.co.uk
The National Lobster Hatchery -Padstow www.nationallobsterhatchery.co.uk
Dairyland www.dairylandfarmworld.com
Crealy Adventure Park. www.crealy.co.uk
Fun for all the family can be found at:-
Goonhilly Satellite Station www.goonhilly.bt.com
Holywell Bay www.holywellbay.co.uk
Flambards www.flambards.co.uk
Land’s End www.landsend-landmark.co.uk
The Cornish Cider Farm www.thecornishcyderfarm.co.uk
Many other historical feature attractions are all within reach and include:
St Michael’s Mount, www.stmichaelsmount.co.uk
Tintagel and Pendennis Castles www.english-heritage.org.uk/visits
Bodmin and Wenford Railway www.bodminandwenfordrailway.co.uk
The Maritime Museum www.nmmc.co.uk
The Tate – St Ives www.tate.org.uk/stives
Poldark and Geevor Tin Mine. www.poldark-mine.co.uk www.geevor.com
For more information on these attractions, visit Padstow Information Centre or www.theguide-cornwall.com.