Your Local Guide – Best Things to Do, Eat & See in Padstow, Cornwall
We’ve been visiting Padstow for over 15 years, and during that time we’ve discovered some amazing spots we love to share with our guests. Whether you’re after relaxation, adventure, or great food, here’s our personal guide to making the most of your stay.
Recommended Places to Eat in and around Padstow
The Journeyman - 2.5 mile drive ~5 mins - Indian / Asian Fusion ££
Craftworks - onsite ~1 min walk - Burgers / Mexican / American / Streetfood ££
Paul Ainsworth at No. 6 (Michelin Star) - Padstow town - Fine Dining ££££
Caffe Rojano by Paul Ainsworth - Padstow Town - Pizza / Brasserie £££
Broad Street Burgers - Padstow Town - Gourmet Burgers ££
The Seafood Restaurant (Rick Stein) - Padstow Town - Seafood ££££
Embers Wood Fired Pizza - Padstow Town - Pizza ££
Pucelli's - Padstow Town - Italian / Pizza ££
The Mariners by Paul Ainsworth - Rock (via 5 min ferry from Padstow) - Pub grub £££
The Pig at Harlyn Bay - Harlyn - 4 mile drive ~10 mins - Local produce ££££
The Cornish Arms (Rick Stein) - 3 mile drive ~10 mins - Pub grub ££
For more fine dining options in Cornwall visit Michelin Guide - Best of Cornwall
If you'd like more specific recommendations then feel free to drop us a message!
Our Favourite Beaches – All Within 15 Minutes of Vyvyenne Lodge
Trevone Bay – 5 minutes’ drive / 2 miles
Our closest beach and one of our favourites. Trevone is a lovely, sheltered sandy cove with rock pools for the kids and a beach café for an ice cream or coffee. There’s parking right by the beach and it’s lifeguarded in summer. Great for families, gentle swims, and a picnic on the sand.
Harlyn Bay – 8 minutes’ drive / 3 miles
A wide, golden beach that’s perfect for surfing, bodyboarding, and dog walks. Harlyn has plenty of parking, toilets, and a surf school if you fancy a lesson. It’s one of the most popular beaches on this stretch of coast – and for good reason.
Constantine Bay – 12 minutes’ drive / 5 miles
If you like a wilder, more dramatic beach, Constantine is stunning. It’s a favourite with local surfers and walkers, with long stretches of sand and rugged dunes. There’s parking a short stroll away and the coastal path links easily to Booby’s Bay and Treyarnon if you fancy a walk between beaches.
Treyarnon Bay – 14 minutes’ drive / 5½ miles
A lovely, family-friendly beach with a natural rock pool that’s perfect for swimming on a calm day. There’s parking nearby, toilets, and a small kiosk for snacks. Great at low tide when the rock pools appear.
Hawker’s Cove – 10 minutes’ drive / 3 miles
A quiet gem just along the estuary from Padstow - you can either drive or walk here from the harbour. It’s a beautiful, peaceful spot at low tide, with incredible views across to Stepper Point and the Camel Estuary. There’s a café (Rest A While) with homemade cakes and cream teas – a favourite stop on our afternoon walks.
Local Adventures & Activities
The Camel Trail
Cycle or walk the scenic, flat trail from Padstow to Wadebridge. Bike hire is available in Padstow.
National Lobster Hatchery
A family-friendly and educational visit right in Padstow Harbour. Great for kids on a rainy day.
Ferry to Rock
The quick, fun way to cross the Camel Estuary. Daymer Bay and Polzeath are easily reached from Rock for great surfing and watersports. Check the website link for further details as departures are from diffent locations depending on the tide.
Padstow Harbour
A 20 minute walk from Vyvyenne Lodge or a 5 minute drive, Padstow harbour is a bustling fishing port and a major hub for activities, dining, and family fun. Take one of the many boat trips like the Jubilee Queen or Padstow Sealife Safaris. You can take a high-speed ride in one of the speedboats or even embark on a fishing trip. Crabbing is a cheap and hugely popular activity for families right on the harbour walls. There are also plenty of boutiques, artisan pop-up shops and art galleries to browse!
Prideaux Place
An essential visit for history enthusiasts, being one of Cornwall's oldest houses still in habitable condition, having remained in the same family since its completion in 1592. You can take a guided house tour or stroll through its tranquil grounds, which overlook an ancient deer park
Go-karting
Go-Karting at St Eval: For an adrenaline rush, head to the largest outdoor go-karting circuit in Cornwall, located just a short drive away. It offers a massive 1.3km track and features separate karts and circuits for different age groups, including adult-only "Thunderkarts" for a true racing experience.
Local Cinemas
For a rainy day or some evening entertainment, catch the latest films at the independent, two-screen Regal Cinema in Wadebridge, just a short drive from Padstow or The Lighthouse cinema in Newquay, around 20 minutes away.
Family Fun and Activities for Kids
The main attractions for children in the immediate area are:
- Camel Creek Adventure Park The premier theme park nearby (10–15 min drive), focusing on rides, soft play, and animal experiences, ideal for young families.
- Macdonald's Farm (Porthcothan) A popular family-friendly farm and campsite a short drive from Padstow, offering animal encounters, a playground, and outdoor activities in a relaxing setting near the coast.
- Springfield Fun Park A smaller, traditional fun park for toddlers and younger kids, featuring fairground rides, pony rides, and an indoor play barn.
Local Spas
For an even deeper level of coastal relaxation, the Padstow area is home to some fantastic luxury spas that offer excellent day packages:
- The Scarlet Hotel & Spa (Mawgan Porth): This is a standout for a truly special, adult-only experience. It’s famed for its eco-spa philosophy, offering unique treatments, a reed-filtered natural outdoor pool, and iconic clifftop cedar-wood hot tubs with uninterrupted views over Mawgan Porth beach. It’s a perfect retreat for holistic wellbeing.
- Bedruthan Hotel & Spa (Mawgan Porth): This is another superb coastal spa that offers a welcoming atmosphere for all. Its facilities include an indoor hydro-pool, steam room, sauna, and a unique Sensory Spa Garden experience, offering different day packages that often include lunch.
- St Moritz Hotel & Cowshed Spa (Polzeath): Easily accessible via the ferry across the estuary in Rock, this hotel spa offers a stylish, sophisticated experience. The Cowshed Spa provides a full menu of body and beauty treatments, complemented by an outdoor heated pool (seasonal) and comprehensive wellness facilities.
- The Pig at Harlyn Bay For a more rustic, secluded experience, head to the Potting Shed treatment rooms. These are rustic, charming hideaways tucked away in the beautiful kitchen garden, offering bespoke massages, facials, and scrubs using natural and organic products.
Tennis and Padel
Visitors looking for a tennis court will find the most accessible options a short drive from Padstow, primarily using "pay and play" facilities at local clubs. The most convenient dedicated options are:
- Wadebridge Tennis Club This friendly club often offers "Pay & Play" access to non-members for an hourly rate. It is recommended to check their LTA ClubSpark page for the latest visitor booking and fee information.
- The Point at Polzeath Located across the Camel Estuary, this resort provides high-quality, all-weather courts that are available to non-guests on an hourly court-hire basis.
- Trevose Golf & Country Club Located near Constantine Bay, this club often allows non-members to hire their well-maintained courts.