Padstow

Cornwall Information & Accommodation Guide

Camel estuary with Padstow in the background

Padstow is a picturesque fishing village and harbour on the Camel River estuary.

The spectacular location and charm of the town has made it one of the most desirable places to live in the whole of the U.K.

The name of the town is variously thought to derive from several sources. The original settlement here is believed to have been known as Lanwethinoc, after Gwethinoc a Welsh missionary (in Cornish lann - a religious enclosure and the name of the Saint).

The name Padstow is thought to derive from Saint Petroc, who established a monastic settlement here in the 6th century in approximately AD 520.

Local legend tells that the Doom Bar, a sand bank outside of the harbour, was brought into existence by the curse of a dying mermaid. To escape from the love sick mermaid who was trying to lure him to a life beneath the waves, the man shot her and with her dying breathe she cursed Padstow. Since this time, the difficulties caused by the bar for shipping have seen numerous shipwrecks.

Padstow is the beginning of two major and popular leisure trails for walkers, cyclists and horse-riders.

The curiously named trail the Saints' Way (in Cornish, Forth an Syns), which is today a walking route from Padstow to Fowey, and which was trodden by numerous Celtic Saints from Brittany, Wales and Ireland as they sought to convert the Cornish to Christianity in the Dark Age period, is believed to follow the route of the original Bronze Age traders.

The Camel Trail, the most popular multi-use trail in Cornwall follows the banks of the River Camel from Padstow. It is suitable for walking, cycling and horse riding.

Don't forget the annual 'Obby Oss' May Day celebrations on May 1st! See Padstow events for more information.

The Dennis Obelisk is an interesting landmark on the outskirts of Padstow. The hill on which it stands was probably an Iron Age hill fort.

When valuing baked bread in Padstow,
The Judges in charge of the show,
Awarded cash prizes,
Depending on sizes,
That arose with the rise in the dough.

Cornish Limericks by kind permission of
David 'Oggie' Tellam

Padstow Parish Church

The parish church is dedicated to St Petroc and dates mostly from the 15th century. The font is of an earlier date and is carved from Catacleuse stone. The church is being restored and anyone wishing to support this beautiful church can make a donation to The Coracle Appeal at Padstow.

At Stepper Point just outside Padstow is a National Coastwatch Institution lookout.

General Information

For holiday accommodation in and around Padstow see Padstow accommodation listings on this page or for accommodation throughout Cornwall visit our Cornwall Accommodation.

Tourist Information Centre
Red Brick Building
North Quay
Padstow
Tel: +44 (0)1841 533449
Email: padstowtic@visit.org.uk

Information for boat owners and visiting yachtsmen

Port of Padstow For information on Pilotage and the Port Authority

Find a Cash Machine Anywhere in Cornwall
All ATMs throughout Cornwall.

Available for everyone, funded by people who are Into Cornwall.

If the information on this website has been useful to you please consider a donation.

Donate

Using Public Transport to travel around Cornwall?

This easy to use travel planner makes it simple. Just add the location in Cornwall from where you are travelling and the destination you wish to travel to and it will provide full details of times, buses, trains and ferries to get you to your destination.

Plan your journey in Cornwall

Do you have information of a historic or community interest about Padstow which you would like featured on this page please email us with your information.

Location:
IntoCornwall Area Map Newquay - Padstow Area Map

Road directions to Padstow

Books online:
Click here to buy books online about Padstow

Find all the Dog Friendly beaches in Cornwall