Holiday homes & rentals in Padstow

Padstow sits on the famously beautiful Cornish coastline, and is full of ancient folklore and traditional charm. Famous for its attractive beaches, scenic harbour and glorious gastronomy, Padstow is an exceptional getaway destination with fantastic holiday lettings.

Padstow offers plenty of holiday lettings to choose from, from luxury cottages to modern apartments. Renting your own holiday letting means it will only be a short walk to your morning coffee by the calm waters of the harbour, or a relaxing stroll along the beach. What's more, you'll have access to a whole host of coastal activities including swimming, water sports and fishing.

Whether you're interested in more unusual activities, such as a visit to a lobster hatchery, or something relaxing like a boat trip along the coast, renting a Padstow holiday cottage gives you the freedom to craft your ideal holiday.

How to get to Padstow

Padstow is located on the northern coast of the Cornish peninsula. There is one main train line running through the peninsula, and the closest station to Padstow is Bodmin Parkway. When looking on a map, both Roche station and St Columb Road station look closer to Padstow, but note that access from these stations via bus and taxi are not as easy as from Bodmin Parkway.

Wining and dining: what to eat on your Padstow holiday

Padstow is widely regarded as the gastronomic epicentre of Cornwall. Fine dining restaurants rub up against casual eateries, with an emphasis on fresh fish and seafood. Prawn on the Lawn falls into the second category, serving up a range of mouthwatering small plates and platters perfect for sharing. There's even a fish monger's on site, so you can pick up fresh fish, lobster, oysters and more to cook back at your holiday cottage.

For a meal to remember, head to Padstow's only Michelin-star restaurant, Paul Ainsworth at No 6. Local Cornish produce is centre stage, while bright Asian flavours appear in dishes including soy glazed duck. For another elegant dining experience, book a table at The Seafood Restaurant. Opened by celebrity chef Rick Stein in 1975, it is a long-standing favourite on the Padstow dining scene.

Of course, you can't leave town without indulging in a traditional Cornish tea. Rest a While Tea Garden is famous for its deliciously buttery scones that come with generous lashings of locally-produced cream and jam. The setting will have you melting like butter too, with gorgeous views onto the estuary below.

You can also sample a wide range of Cornish delicacies and dishes from the town’s top chefs by attending the Padstow Christmas Festival. The event is held annually in early December, with cookery demonstrations, wine tastings, live music, and food stalls. With everything from organic meats and cheeses to artisan chocolates, wines, ciders and beers for sale, be sure to come with an appetite!

Family fun in Padstow

While there are many scenic views for the adults to enjoy around the harbour, there's plenty of action and adventure for the kids too. Only a stone's throw from your Padstow holiday cottage, you'll find Tregirls, a golden stretch of sandy beach from Georges Cove to Harbour cove. Crabbing along the coastal rock pools is a great activity for kids. Nip into Padstow Angling Centre for crab lines and bait beforehand. You'll also be right next to Steppers Point, which provides a fantastic view of the bay and is a great place for a picnic.

If you're bringing bikes or plan on renting some, the whole family can cycle along the Camel Trail, a scenic but easy-going cycle path along the coast. Following a disused railway line, the path takes you through Bodmin and Wadebridge, so you can stop off for lunch and explore somewhere new.

Renting your own Padstow holiday cottage means that you and the family will have somewhere comfortable to relax together after the day's adventures.

Trips in and around Padstow

A Padstow holiday letting will give you easy access to plenty of sporting activities and excursions in the surrounding area.

Head over to the harbour and hoo on a cruise boat, such as the Jubilee Queen or Padstow Sea Life Safaris, for a fun 1- to 2-hour boat trip along the coast. Or you could head to Cornish Coast Adventure, which offers adrenaline-fuelled outings. You'll experience the natural beauty of the area in a whole new way by trekking across rocks, swimming in the sea, rock jumping, paddling through rock pools and climbing into caves.

If you prefer a calmer holiday activity, Padstow is well known for its sea and lake fishing opportunities. You'll find fish such as beam, tench, carp and roach. For local fisheries you'll need a day ticket, but the best way to organise your fishing trip would be to contact the Padstow Angling Centre, who'll be more than happy to give advice.

For a more unusual day trip, you could head over to the National Lobster Hatchery in Padstow itself. Here, you'll find baby lobsters, the resident giant lobster, and spider crabs, as well as fun activities for all the family.

May Day Extravaganza

Padstow is rich in folklore, keeping alive many traditions and practices which surprise even the most experienced of travellers.

The crowning jewel of the year's festivities has to be May Day, known locally as the 'Obby 'Oss Day. This is a huge festival, with about 30,000 visitors descending on the town. Locals deck the streets and shops out with flowers, foliage and flags whilst a tall maypole takes centre stage in the town.

The most unusual aspect is the two 'Osses', or costume horses, who dance around the town accompanied by locals dressed in white and adorned with coloured ribbons, cowslips and bluebells. It's a lively and music-filled spectacle, so it's advisable to book your Padstow holiday cottage well in advance, in order to get the best seat in the house.

A relaxing Cornish holiday in Padstow

Harlyn Bay

Crescent-shaped Harlyn Bay attracts novice surfers, while families appreciate the tide pools, sand dunes and kayaking opportunities.

Padstow Harbour

Home to an assortment of independent boutiques, galleries and cafés, Padstow Harbour is a great place to enjoy fish and chips while watching the boats at work.

National Lobster Hatchery

This marine conservation centre helps to protect lobster populations by growing them from eggs through to when they are strong enough to be released into the wild. Learn more in the visitor centre, with all proceeds going towards their excellent work.

St. Petroc Church

Legend has it that the Welsh nobleman Petroc established the church around 600 AD. While here, look out for original mediaeval wagon roofs in the nave, and carvings of angels holding the Bible.

Rock Beach

With sweeping views over the Camel Estuary, this pet-friendly Cornish beach boasts calm and shallow waters. The night-time views of the lights across the bay in Padstow are magical.

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