1: Go Crabbing in Padstow
As you walk along the harbour, you’ll notice all the families crabbing and why not join in? This is a cheap and enjoyable way to spend the afternoon with your kids. All you need is some bait and the crabbing gear, which you can buy from one of the local shops around Padstow harbour, and then you’re away. The Harbour Shop has more sustainable, plastic free options including metal buckets and hessian nets and lines with wooden handles.
The top tip from the locals is the inner harbour is the best place as crabs find shelter here away from predators during daylight, lower your net with the bait and start crabbing. Be sure to handle them gently and be careful of the harbour boats, as this still is a working harbour so please avoid crabbing on slipways or steps used by the fishermen and always remember to take your lines with you to protect the marine life around Padstow. You can even pass on your crabbing kit to another family when you are finished so it is not just used once and thrown away!
What bait do I need for crabbing?
We always find the best success with bacon, smoky and pungent which crabs absolutely love, and smaller fish can’t eat it before crabs can!
What species of crabs will I catch?
You’re most likely going to catch the common crab and velvet crabs, being the smaller species of crabs, larger crabs such as the Edible crab and the Spider crab live on the shorelines of Cornwall.
2: Learn with the National Lobster Hatchery
At The National Lobster Hatchery you can witness marine conservation in action! Here the whole family can learn all about lobsters, their fascinating life cycle and the Hatchery’s conservation work that boosts the European Lobster’s fragile wild population. Kids can see the maternity ward for female lobsters carrying eggs, how tiny the hatched out baby lobsters are and just how big the adult lobsters can grow to be; learning why it’s essential to keep the population healthy. At the end of the tour, you can adopt a baby lobster and track their process online until they’re released into the wild. Padstow Sealife Safaris passengers can receive 10% discount to the National Lobster Hatchery by showing your confirmation email at the ticket desk!
3: Take a Ferry Trip to Rock
Take a scenic trip across the Camel estuary to the town of Rock. The Black Tor Ferry runs every 20 minutes and takes around 5-10 minutes to cross the estuary as opposed to a 30-minute car journey. There are plenty of restaurants, scenic walks and beautiful beaches in Rock, such as Rock Beach, Daymer Bay and Greenaway Beach. This is a great mini adventure for kids as the ferry is relatively cheap, and they get to see a new area they might not have seen before, also exploring new beaches along the North Cornwall coastline.
4: Taste Padstow’s Local Fish and Chips
Padstow is a haven for seafood lovers, with local fish and chips on the must-try list. The day’s catch is freshly brought in each morning, ensuring that the fish is as fresh as possible. When it comes to fish and chips, we recommend locally owned Chip Ahoy and Walkers.
Chip Ahoy and Walkers are popular spots for fish and chips in Padstow for both locals and visitors. Their menus are full of freshly caught fish, and their chips are hand-cut and perfectly cooked. It’s hard to resist these local fish and chip shops while enjoying a day out in Padstow, and once you’ve had a taste, you’ll keep returning for more. Just watch out for the seagulls, who love them just as much as we do!
5: Explore the Camel Trail Bike Ride
The Camel Trail is a must-do activity, whether you’re walking, cycling or horse riding the trail. The trail is mostly flat, which makes it great for wheelchair access, and you can choose your route. With the trail starting from either Bodmin or Padstow, you’ll be taken on an adventure back in time, following the section through Wadebridge to one of the oldest bridges in the world Poley’s Bridge which opened in 1843 to transport sand from the estuary to inland farms. Along the way, you’ll see important wildlife, including the water birds that call Padstow home, from Egrets to Cormorants. Feeling peckish, stop at The Camel Trail Tea Garden for lunch and, of course, a cornish cream tea.
6: Watch Wildlife In Their Natural Habitat
Search for Cornwall’s marine wildlife off the stunning Cornish coastline, accompanied by a knowledgeable wildlife guide to tell you all about the fascinating creatures you can spot. A wildlife watching boat trip is a truly unforgettable experience and a memory that will last a lifetime with your kids. On our boat trips, we most often see Dolphins, Seals, Harbour Porpoises and occasionally Minke Whale and Bluefin Tuna, but you could also be lucky and spot one of Cornwall’s more rare visitors, from the Basking Shark to the Humpback Whale.
7: Enjoy Building Sand Castles
You don’t need to spend a lot of money to have a great time experiencing Padstow. In fact, one of the most enjoyable activities can be a cheap and cheerful one. Building sand castles and forts on the sunny beaches around Padstow is a beautiful experience that your kids will cherish forever.
You can have a blast by building the biggest fort on the beach or simply relaxing by the estuary and enjoying the scenic views across to Rock. Get creative with your sandcastles and create a unique structure, or engage in friendly competition with others.
By having fun and letting your imagination run wild, you can create some of the best memories and experiences in Padstow without breaking the bank.
The best places to build sand castles near Padstow are St Georges Cove or Harbour Cove, two beautiful beaches overlooking the estuary with panoramic views as soon as you step onto the golden sandy beach.
8: Discover Prideaux Places History
Rich in history, Pridauex place is a beautiful 16th-century country house which has been occupied by the Pridaeux family for over 400 years and is a beautiful example of Elizabethan Gothic and Georgian architecture. Surrounded by 40 acres of gardens and an ancient deer park providing a peaceful retreat from the busy harbour town of Padstow.
Visitors can enjoy beautiful gardens and a deer park, one of the oldest park herds in the country. The 18th-century outbuildings in the Stable Courtyard are also worth a visit, and the fully licensed tearoom offers a light lunch or cream tea with stunning views of the Camel Estuary and beyond. With its rich history, beautiful gardens, and stunning architecture, Prideaux Place is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to explore the beauty and history of North Cornwall.
9: Visit Padstow Harbour
Padstow Harbour is a charming and picturesque spot that is definitely worth visiting. There are many reasons why it’s so popular with tourists and locals alike. Padstow harbour is the heart of the town, with many shops, cafes, and restaurants lining the waterfront. It’s a great place to grab a bite to eat or a drink and soak up the relaxed coastal atmosphere and take in Padstow’s rich history, dating back to the 16th century and 19th century when Padstow played a significant role in the Pilchard industry with over 100 boats fishing from the port.
10: Walking Routes near Padstow
Padstow has some great walking routes with Panoramic views and has routes for all abilities, if you’re a keen walker or just looking for a stroll, it has everything from enchanting wildlife to beautiful coastlines up and down North Cornwall.
The Camel Trail
Difficulty: Moderate
This is an 18-mile flat and traffic-free path that runs along the River Camel from Padstow to Wenfordbridge, filled with an abundance of wildlife and views across the beautiful estuary down to forest-filled Bodmin. If you prefer a shorter, easier going route, you can just go as far as Wadebridge.
South West Coast Path
Difficulty: Advanced
This path follows the entire coast of Cornwall and offers some stunning views. You can start your walk from Padstow and head towards the south or north, depending on your preference, but there are some extreme heights and inclines so ensure you’re fit and ready for this one.
The Prideaux Place Walk
Difficulty: Easy
This is a circular walk that starts and finishes in Padstow and takes in some of the most stunning views of the town and surrounding countryside, along with the rich history of Prideaux Place, a grade I listed Elizabethan country house.
Stepper Point Walk
Difficulty: Moderate
This is a moderate walk that takes in the stunning headland on the southern side of where the Camel Estuary meets the sea, and offers some breath-taking views of the coastline, with boat traffic coming in and out of Padstow. Sometimes you can even spot seals, dolphins or porpoises if you’re lucky – bring binoculars!
Padstow Lifeboat Walk
Difficulty: Moderate/Advanced
This walk takes you either around the coast or through the countryside to the beautiful Mother Ivey’s Bay where the Padstow lifeboat is launched, this is one of the most beautiful walks we have been on around Cornwall. On the walk, you can see a diverse landscape, while keeping an eye out for Grey seals bobbing in the water along the coastline.
