Last Updated on 13th August 2025
Planning a day trip to Padstow? This visitor’s guide reveals the best things to do, from savouring Rick Stein’s renowned fish and chips to exploring the picturesque Camel Estuary, the Camel Trail and its beautiful beaches. The guide provides essential information on Padstow’s history and today’s key attractions to help you create the perfect itinerary for your visit to this charming Cornish fishing village.
Padstow History
Padstow is often named Padstein by people who live relatively near, due to the number of Rick Stein shops and restaurants in the town. In the Cornish language, it is called Lannwedhenek.
Padstow’s history dates back over 5,000 years! There is archaeological evidence of a Bronze Age settlement, using the natural harbour as a means of transport and trading.
Several thousand years later, St Petroc established a monastery after landing at Padstow from Wales at around 520 AD. This influenced the town somewhat and made it a centre of Christianity for Cornwall.
The Prideaux family arrived with the Norman Conquest (1066) and built a manor, Prideaux Place, that still stands today and is worth a visit. The family also influenced the town greatly. Padstow is written into the Domesday Book in 1086.
Padstow continued to expand and prosper from the harbour trade. During the medieval years, the harbour was importing goods from Ireland and the Mediterranean. It was exporting slate, copper, tin and fish.
Fish, in particular, pilchards, became a very profitable source of income over the years, along with the continuing export of slate, copper and tin. In the 1800s, shipbuilding also became prominent, with six shipyards in production around the town.
The railway arrived in Padstow in 1899, and with it, the tourists came. Since the demise of slate, tin and copper mining, and much of the fishing trade, tourism has taken its place. Its 3,000 or so population will double, sometimes nearly triple, during the holiday season.
Padstow is a town of heritage and customs. The Obby Oss Festival is a well-known spring custom that begins with locals singing the Night Song at the Golden Lion Inn on the evening of 30th April. The following day, two hobby-horse-dressed men cavort in the decorated streets to catch pretty maidens while onlookers sing the Morning Song. In the evening, the two men meet, and onlookers sing the Obby Oss Death and wait another year for the resurrection.
Around Padstow Town
There are a few out-of-town car parks within a 10-minute walk. The South Quay car park is perhaps better for a short, level walk into town, but it will fill quickly in the warmer months.
Padstow is such a wonderful Cornish fishing harbour town on the north Cornish coast. The River Camel flows out past Padstow with the village of Rock on its opposite shore.
There is enough to do for a complete day’s visit, but an early afternoon trip works well too. If lunch is on the agenda, it is best to arrive early in the warmer months to secure a table without pre-booking.
The Shipwrights located on the harbour-side serves up a lovely meal with great service at an affordable price. That’s just my experience, but of course, there are many places to eat and drink all around the town.
Lunch over, it’s time to wander around the narrow streets and lanes, in and out of the many interesting shops. It’s funny how you find things you never knew you needed! Padstow has its fair share of great ‘typically tourist’ gift shops, along with speciality outlets for adorning your home and adding to your wardrobe.
The heart of the town and around the harbour has many shops, restaurants, cafes and pubs. Enjoy food, snacks and drinks while looking out over the harbour and the golden sands and green hills further afield. It’s often bustling with people, but it maintains a relaxed vibe. Take it easy and do things the Cornish way, dreckly!
Did I mention Rick Stein? He had a colourful early life, perhaps masking his father’s suicide. He moved to Padstow in the early 1970s to take on a disco and eatery business with a friend. Due to a few brawling fisherfolk episodes, the disco lost its licence. The duo pursued the remaining restaurant licence, with Rick in the kitchen, building on his earlier experience as a commis chef with a London hotel. They converted the building into The Seafood Restaurant by 1975. Today, Rick’s business has several eateries, including his famous Fish & Chip shop, as well as a deli, patisserie and gift shop. He also has his shows and appears in many TV shows. Without doubt, Rick pulls in thousands of visitors to the town. He is perhaps a modern-day version of the Prideaux family, forever pushing the fishing heritage and culinary delights of the town.
Padstow SW Coast Path Walks
Head back through the town, following the North Quay Parade along the harbour and up and out to the coast path. The South-West Coast Path rises to reveal stunning vistas all around. The skies were dramatic, and the lighting was fantastic when I took these photos.
Take in the views across the estuary, with Rock and the countryside beyond. The lower tides uncover the many sand bars, which can prove quite a challenge for sailors. Indeed, if you’ve ever had a pint of Doom Bar and wondered about the name, it’s made at Sharpe’s Brewery in Rock. The Doom Bar is a sand bar that spans the estuary opening.
At the top of the rise, as the path levels, there is a monument. A huge war memorial overlooking the estuary, St Saviour’s Point. Further information can be obtained from Padstow Museum.
Walk on to St George’s Cove, a sandy bay on the shores of the estuary.
Padstow and its delights can be incorporated into a longer walk that I might try someday. The South West Coast Path runs on both sides of the Camel Estuary. The Black Tor Ferry runs between Rock and Padstow. For public transport, there is a bus service from Newquay, Bodmin Parkway rail station and Plymouth.
Padstow is a great base to visit Cornwall. Aside from what has been mentioned, there are fantastic beaches nearby. There is also the Camel Trail, so hire a bike and venture out. Of course, there are many other attractions nearby.
For those who want to stay longer than a day trip, Padstow has many hotels, guest houses, B&Bs, hostels, as well as nearby caravan and touring holiday parks.
For further inspiration, take a look at these books, maps and walking guides for Padstow and around.
If you want to get into walking, read my article, A Beginner’s Guide to Hiking and Walks.
Tell us about your visit to Padstow and the walks you have done in the area.
