When the ancient Cornish settled in the area many centuries ago they chose the site for Padstow with great care and foresight.  Nestling in a narrow gulley on the western side of the River Camel estuary, the town is sheltered from the prevailing winds and the air is generally soft and balmy.  Moving down the hill the buildings huddle closer together until they crowd around the harbour.

There you’ll find a great mixture of houses, quays, boat slips, inns, cafés, restaurants, gift shops, a fishmonger and the like. None of this was planned; it just evolved as the years moved on. No architect could have designed the magic of Padstow. It is just the result of years of adaptation to change, of getting the best out of local materials and then using the buildings and the surrounding environment to meet the needs of a working and friendly harbour town.

The natural beauty of the area – its rugged coastline, sweeping sandy beaches, quiet coves and fabulous walks, is probably its main attraction. But there is much more to do and see. At the centre of all activity is the harbour. Brass band concerts are held regularly, visiting entertainers often perform on the quayside, fishing and pleasure trips depart from there and much social activity is conducted from the harbourside cafes, restaurants and pubs. Treat yourself to a fishing trip, a high powered speedboat trip or more leisurely cruise aboard the Jubilee Queen for a trip along the fabulous coastline.

And if dry land is more your scene there’s the National Lobster Hatchery where you can discover the fascinating world of lobsters and their environment. Then there’s the Padstow Town Museum where you can step back in time and discover the history of Padstow through its Obby Oss, Railway and Lifeboat displays. The Museum is open from Easter to the end of October and is run by volunteers.