Attractions & Activities

Looking for something to do while you are visiting?  Below are a few ideas to help you.  There are a few more specific ideas under the attractions and activities menu inlcuding walking, fishing, The Camel Trail, surfing, beaches, coasteering and family holidays.

Sail, Surf and Ski    Horse Riding    Golf      Tennis Courts and Play Area

Walking The ancient Saints’ way  Cornish Gardens  Cornish pilot gig rowing

Click here for a full list of attractions and activities in our area

 Sail, Surf and Ski The Camel Estuary has excellent water sports facilities - sailing, surfing, water-skiing, wind & kite surfing are all available locally.

Horse RidingThere are riding stables in the immediate area catering for novices, experienced riders and families.

Golf There are several outstanding coastal links and parkland courses in the surrounding area. You can even try your hand at Green's Crazy Golf with its great view of the Harbour.

Tennis Courts and Play Area The town tennis courts and children’s play area are at The Lawns Car Park, Padstow

WalkingWhat variety. High cliffs, rocky coves, golden sands, river estuary,amazing wildlife, thundering surf,endless views - and the SW Coast Path passes right alongside as it wends its way through Padstow on its journey northwards towards Hartland Point and west to Land’s End and beyond. This truly spectacular national footpath attracts walkers from all over the country whether out for an afternoon stroll or just passing through as they attempt the complete (or part) 360 miles route. And if the Coast Path is not what you are looking for there are several other walks in and around the town. The Padstow Circular Walk is a fine example. Starting at the harbour, the 7 miles (10km) walk takes in a huge variety of interesting scenery from the estuary sands to the exposed headland and the rolling green fields that are such a prominent feature of the area. Just don’t forget the camera! The lookout high on Stepper Point keeps watch during daylight hours 365 days a spectacular coastal landscape year. Ideally situated to cover the notorious Doom Bar that crosses the estuary and which is a well known hazard to local shipping, it is also perfectly placed to monitor the crowds having fun on the nearby surfing beaches. If you’re passing by why not call in on the duty officer for a chat. The ‘Padstow Circular Walk’ Guide is on sale at Padstow Tourist Information Centre together with Ordnance Survey maps and a good selection of books about local walks and footpaths.  Please click through to the following sites for further information regarding the South West Coastal Path. www.southwestcoastalpath.co.uk/  and www.southwestcoastpath.com/

The ancient Saints’ way An ever-popular walk and one that is developing almost cult status among those who complete it is the Saints’ Way. Opened in 1986, the walk follows the route taken by early Christian saints and pilgrims as they made their way on foot from the Padstow area to Fowey on the south coast. Starting at the Parish Church, the 28 miles (45kms) long Saints’ Way follows a well signposted route along ancient footpaths and quiet country lanes. It’s the perfect way to explore the outstanding countryside between the two coasts. Many complete the walk in one attempt but there are several inns, hotels and campsites along the route if you want a less arduous adventure.

Glorious Cornish Gardens From a clay pit deep in china clay country rose one of the horticultural wonders of the world. The Eden Project, a global garden for the 21st century and beyond and stunning in its vision, now provides a vast ‘tropical’ home for many thousands of exotic plants. A visit to this, one of Cornwall’s and the UK’s premier horticultural attractions is a must and advance tickets can be purchased from the Tourist Information Centre. But there are many more outstanding gardens in Cornwall. Because the county enjoys one of Britain’s mildest climates, spring arrives earlier and summer lasts longer. This means gardeners can grow a greater range of plants - from ‘exotics’ at Glendurgan and Trebah in SE Cornwall to Lanhydrock’s delightful wooded valley in North Cornwall where Azaleas, Rhododendrons and Magnolias burst into bloom each Spring. The Cornwall Festival of Spring Gardens usually runs from March to the end of May each year. Taking a short break at this time of year provides the perfect opportunity to explore the many magnificent gardens for which Cornwall is famous. And if you have the time you really should visit the Isles of Scilly, where the warm climate favours the tropical and interesting plant life that flourishes on the islands. Flights to the islands leave from Newquay Airport. For further information on all the main gardens in Cornwall please visit www.visitcornwall.com

Cornish pilot gig rowing  Next to the Tourist Information Office within the Red Brick Building are housed three unusual boats. These boats are Cornish Pilot Gigs which are owned and rowed by Padstow Rowing Club.
Cornish Pilot Gigs originated in the early 19th century when local boat yards sent them out “seeking” for custom. The gigs would race out from the boat yards to pilot visiting sailing boats back to their yard; the fastest gig would secure the most custom. In its hey day Padstow had several boat yards: Rawle’s had the gig “Vixen”, Dennis Cove had “Constance”, Lower Yard had “Peace”, Cowl’s had “Hero” while Rawle’s “Teazer” was stored on davits outside the Custom’s House. Nowadays gig racing is a very popular sport in Cornwall and Devon. A gig is a fixed seat, six-oared clinker built boat 32 feet in length, four foot nine inches in beam, built of Cornish elm and light enough to be launched by only its crew. The modern pilot gigs are true to their origins and are based on the Newquay gig “Treffry” built in 1838. Padstow has 4 gigs; Teazer launched in 1988, Dasher in 1989, Petroc in April 2004 and Vixen bought from Charlestown gig club in 2007. All are painted in Cornish colours, white with black and gold trim. Padstow Rowing Club competes in races throughout Cornwall and Devon during the summer season against the 44 clubs that are registered with the Cornish Pilot Gig Association (CPGA). Excluding the Isles of Scilly gigs, the CPGA has over 100 boats listed. Rowing training takes place on the river most evenings throughout the summer and through the winter there is weekend training at a more leisurely pace.