22 Apr Enjoy the Perfect Family Day Out in Padstow: The Dream Destination for a Sealife Safari, Cycling the Camel Trail, a Coast Path Hike, Crabbing and Cornish Pasties
Padstow: 12 miles from Atlantic Reach, 30 minute drive
One of the best things about Atlantic Reach is its prime location, close to many of Cornwall’s greatest attractions and beaches. By basing yourself at Atlantic Reach, you’ll have a wealth of ocean and inland adventures at your fingertips, the North and South coasts within striking distance, and endless options for days out that are perfect for families who love Cornwall.
Top tips to plan the best family day out in Padstow
A quintessential Cornish experience awaits you in Padstow, just 12 miles away from Atlantic Reach. It’s a place where the ocean and river estuary meet; spend the day here and you’ll find everything a family could wish for, in one easy to reach location.
The following is a local’s guide to the best things to do in Padstow, we’ve done everything on the list and loved every single minute of it! There is way more on this itinerary than you’d be able to cram into one day, but think of it as a wish list, packed full of tried and tested activities that can help you create your own dream days out in Padstow.
Experience Cornwall with all of your senses with Padstow Sealife Safaris
Padstow Sealife Safaris give you the chance to spot dolphins, seals and a number of interesting sea birds in their natural habitat, and there is plenty of room on the boat for all of your friends and family to join you.
The boat ride, with its views of the stunning Cornish coastline from the water is a standout activity on its own merit, but when you add in the refreshing mist of sea spray, the smell of the salt water, the sound of the waves and the world class wildlife sightings, this becomes a truly unforgettable experience.
Cycle the Camel Trail
Cycle the family friendly (and wonderfully flat!) Camel Trail. It is 18 miles in length, but the section we’re focusing on is the 5 mile stretch along the Camel Estuary between Padstow and Wadebridge, this can be a 10 mile round trip if your family are feeling adventurous and strong in the leg department, or can be planned as a one way trip. Bring your own bikes if you have them, or if not, it’s super easy to hire bikes for all the family, including trailers suitable for wee ones and the pooch. Keep your eyes peeled as you cycle as there are opportunities to spot sea birds and wildlife along the route.
Recommended Cycle Hires
We recommended Trail Bike Hire, Padstows original bike hire outfit. Situated right at the start of the trail Padstow, Trail Bike Hire claim to be the cheapest in town – but still maintain their great attention to safety, maintenance and customer service. They provide optional helmets, puncture repair kits and breakdown assistance on the trail – just incase!
There is the option to start your day by parking in Wadebridge as it is slightly more accessible by road than Padstow. Cycling from Wadebridge to Padstow will be a great way to kick off a fun-filled day, and give you a sense of achievement as you arrive in Padstow in style. We recommend Bridge Bike Hire which has a base right at the start line of the Camel Trail in Wadebridge. It’s the original cycle hire on the trail, and their courtyard leads straight onto the route, giving you a traffic free experience from start to finish – perfect for a family outing.
Take a pit stop at the Atlantic Coast Express
The Atlantic Coast Express (or ‘ACE’ as it’s lovingly called by its regulars) is the perfect halfway pit-stop between Padstow and Wadebridge on the Camel Trail. It’s hard to miss ACE, as it’s housed in a vintage train carriage, and will certainly catch your eye as you walk or cycle by. ACE offers a glorious selection of coffee and cakes and is especially famed for its delicious selection of filled crepes. The setting is lovely, and a strategic pause here will give your wee ones a breather from the pedals.
Crabbing on the Harbour Wall
Nothing screams quintessential seaside holiday quite like crabbing. For generations, crabbing has been enticing families, come rain or shine, onto harbour walls and pontoons across the nation. The appeal of crabbing is timeless, and it’s still a winner with the screen loving kids of today. In Padstow, the inner harbour wall is probably the best spot for crabbing, but if in doubt follow the sound of clinking buckets and laughing children.
After catching a crab on your baited line, make sure to release it safely back to its home in the harbour when you’re done.
Explore the South West Coast Path
Enjoy a ramble along the South West Coast Path towards St George’s Cove, Harbour Cove & Stepper Point. This walk offers beautiful views across to Polzeath and the open ocean, and can be made into a circular walk around the headland. Don’t forget to pause and soak up the landscape, and far reaching views, with the chance to watch sailboats, seals and if you’re incredibly lucky, dolphins.
A ferryboat adventure to Rock
The passenger ferry that shuttles between Padstow and Rock when the tide allows, offers a super easy, affordable and exciting trip over to the bucket and spade paradise on the other side of the river estuary. Rock offers plenty of options for the foodies amongst you, Paul Ainsworth’s ‘The Mariners’ is just one of many fabulous options on the far riverbank, and it offers a ‘Little Sailors’ menu for the youngsters.
If you have an adventurous family, then a walk along the beach towards Daymer Bay is beautiful, and the picture postcard St Enodoc Church is well worth a detour to explore.
Enjoy the best Cornish produce
Padstow has attracted a lot of great restaurants and chefs in recent years, and as a harbour town, the choice of local seafood is wonderful.
In need of no introduction, famous chef Rick Stein’s take on fish and chips has created one of the most popular chippies in Padstow. This is fish and chips done well – local cod, haddock and hake cooked in homemade batter, and for the kids there are mini bites such as scampi, tiger prawns and battered oysters. Or, if you fancy trying something new, try the fish chilli burger or grilled mackerel. There is usually a queue, so arrive early to beat the rush, or get your food to take away and sit and enjoy it with a view of the harbour.
If seafood isn’t your thing, fear not, Padstow has plenty of other heavyweight contenders in the culinary stakes. If you are hankering after baked goods then we recommend Chough Bakery – started in Padstow by Elaine and Rob over 40 years ago. Chough Bakery makes a pasty unlike any other, using traditional methods and the best Cornish produce. Pasties are a symbol of Cornish heritage and identity, so don’t underestimate the cultural power of your pasty, and whatever you do, don’t eat it with a knife and fork.
After an incredible day in Padstow…
After a fun filled day in Padstow, returning the short hop to Atlantic Reach will feel like coming home. Everything you could wish for is here, so relax, there’s no reason to leave again this evening. If anyone has gas in the tank, then how about a family game of tennis? The courts are just a few steps from your accommodation, and it’s a lovely way to get everyone involved, even the little ones who make excellent ball boys!
Campers and guests of our self catering cottages can either rustle up some grub themselves, or to let the team at The Manor Arms pub and restaurant do the work instead. Either way, an evening spent relaxing with the family is on the cards, recounting the highlights of the sealife safari, debating who caught the most crabs, or regaling each other with the best bits of the Camel Trail.
After a brilliant day in Padstow, smiles will stretch from ear to ear, and lots of new memories will have been added to your family album.
But the holiday is far from over yet! What would you all like to do tomorrow?
If you’d like to try out this amazing Padstow itinerary for yourself, then book your holiday at Atlantic Reach this year. You can find out more about our self catering cottages and camping options, and check availability online.