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Padstow
Introducing Padstow
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 and restaurants, gift and craft shops, holiday cottages and food shops, banks 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.
Of course, time and tide wait for no one – though in Padstow time does seem to wait just a little longer than elsewhere. Here, everything moves a little slower. The traffic moves slowly because it has no other option and it's no good the people who live here rushing because their lives are governed by the tides, the seasons of the year and the farming calendar. Visitors soon notice that Padstonians instinctively know that rushing about doesn't do anyone any good. Some would like the whole world to slow down but they know this cannot be. So instead they invite visitors to rest awhile, to savour the joy of the day, to slow down; even if it's only for a few days. The harbour is undoubtedly the strongest attraction in the town and visitors find themselves drawn to it like a magnet. Fishing and pleasure craft rock side-by-side on their moorings, children fish for crabs from the harbour wall, quayside inns and cafes overlook the calm water. There are seats all around the harbour and because there's always something going on and it's such a restful and interesting place it's a favourite spot for both locals and visitors. While you're here please try to set aside some time to share in our heritage. Our museum may not be large but it does contain many of our historic treasures and artefacts. The church too reflects the life, past and present, of our seafaring town; a warm welcome awaits you at its services as it does in the town's Methodist Chapel and Catholic Church. But the town and its harbour is just the first step in getting to know the area. Walk or cycle the Camel Trail toward Wadebridge, take a stroll along the estuary footpath toward one of several sandy beaches or take the ferry across the river to Rock. There's something for everyone and for all tastes in Padstow and the surrounding area; we hope you enjoy your stay and that you will come back again soon. Just remember to slow down!
We're open all year!
Leave behind the high summer hustle and bustle and Padstow steadies to a more leisurely pace. Outside the main visitor season, there's more time and space for everyone to appreciate the true beauty of the area. To spend time soaking up the atmosphere on the quay, to watch the nets being mended or the fishing catch landed or to just stroll along the deserted shoreline or over the cliff path. Other than high summer is also the best time of year to enjoy the Camel Trail. Not only is it less congested, but it also passes alongside one of the favourite stopping-off points for migrant wading birds who feed on the fertile mud flats during their journeys to and from the northern breeding grounds. Even in deepest winter, Padstow's maritime climate brings milder weather. Frost is rare and snow almost unheard of even though it can sometimes be seen draping the distant slopes of Bodmin Moor. Thanks to the unstinting efforts of local Rotarians and businesses Padstow's Christmas Lights, when the quayside, harbour and town are decorated with thousands of creative seasonal decorations and set pieces, has become famous throughout Cornwall and the South West. Mid December is also the time for late night Christmas shopping in Padstow when local bands, street buskers, mulled wine and the Padstow carollers take to the streets. Another production that is always well supported is the Padstow Pantomime staged by the Kernow Players in the comfortable atmosphere of the Little Theatre in Barry's Lane. And its here that the Kernow Players put on variety shows and plays throughout the year.
Plenty to see and do
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 wreck, reef or bottom fishing trip or a fun-for-all-the family mackerel trip out in the bay. Or try 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.
Padstow at Christmas
Christmas in Padstow is a unique experience. The town is proud of having its own Christmas Carols, sung unaccompanied in 4 parts. The majority of these are only sung in Padstow. Carol singing starts on the first Sunday in advent and continues every Sunday thereafter until Christmas Eve. Carollers meet in the Market Place between 7 & 7.30pm and the small streets echo to the sound of their voices as they sing to local residents while collecting money for charity. Over the Christmas period they are invited to entertain at various Christmas events including late night shopping and the Christmas meetings of the Buffs Lodge and the Royal British Legion. On Christmas Eve it is traditional for them to sing to the Prideaux Brune family and their guests at Prideaux Place as well as to the local hostelries and the Metropole Hotel. Padstow’s Christmas lights are due to the hard work of the local Rotary Club. Each year they raise money to maintain and erect the lights as well as adding new displays. They produce a wonderful spectacle, the centre of which is the animated floating tableaux in the inner harbour. The water in the harbour reflects the lights around them, doubling the number of lights!
To top off the festivities, Christmas late night shopping is at the beginning of December. The town has the feel of a Victorian fayre with a lantern parade, carol singing, silver band and roasted chestnuts to complement the wonderful displays in the various shops. Lights, carols, gift shops, great food..
What more can you ask for at Christmas? Padstow has it all ........
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