SunriseDawn paddle at Constantine
Pull on a wetsuit and catch the first clean lines of the day while the bay is still yours alone.
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Local Area · Padstow · North Cornwall
Things to do in Padstow
A working harbour, traffic-free trails, surf beaches and some of Cornwall's finest seafood — all within a short drive of the park. Here's how we'd spend a few days.
The local guide
Padstow is right on your doorstep
Atlantic Bays sits in the countryside at St Merryn, around ten minutes from Padstow and the Seven Bays. It’s a brilliant base — close enough to do something different every day, far enough out to come back to peace and quiet each evening. These are the things our guests come back for.
Our pick of things to do
Ten ways to fill a Cornish day
Explore Padstow town
Wander the narrow streets and whitewashed cottages around the harbour, browse the independent shops and galleries, and stop for a Cornish cream tea. Padstow is small, walkable and made for a slow afternoon.
- 10-min drive
- Shops & galleries
- Cream teas
Take in the harbour
The working harbour is the heart of Padstow — fishing boats, pleasure craft and the daily catch of crab, lobster and mussels. Sit with an ice cream and watch the boats, or step aboard a trip out along the coast.
- Working harbour
- Boat trips
- Fresh seafood
Walk or cycle the Camel Trail
One of Cornwall's most loved traffic-free trails follows the old railway line beside the Camel Estuary, running from Padstow to Wadebridge and on to Bodmin. Flat, scenic and family-friendly — hire bikes in Padstow and set off.
- Traffic-free
- Estuary views
- Bike hire in town
Visit the National Lobster Hatchery
A small conservation charity on the harbourside working to boost wild lobster numbers. Take a quick self-guided tour, meet the baby lobsters and learn about the work — an easy, hands-on stop for curious children.
- Conservation charity
- Great for children
- On the harbour
Spend a day on the beaches
You're surrounded by the famous Seven Bays — Harlyn, Constantine, Treyarnon, Polzeath and more — all a short drive away. Swim, surf, rockpool or simply find a sheltered corner of golden sand for the day.
- The Seven Bays
- Surf & swim
- Rockpools
Eat the local seafood
Padstow has built its name on the sea. From harbourside fish-and-chips to the region's celebrated restaurants, you're rarely more than a few steps from freshly landed crab, lobster and the day's catch.
- Crab & lobster
- Fish suppers
- Harbour dining
Tour Prideaux Place
An Elizabethan country house and gardens on the edge of Padstow, still lived in by the family who built it. Join a guided tour of the panelled rooms and grounds, with views out across the deer park to the estuary.
- Historic house
- Guided tours
- Gardens & deer park
Head out on a fishing trip
Boats leave the harbour for both seasoned anglers and complete first-timers — mackerel, shark and deep-sea trips run through the season. A genuinely memorable few hours out on the Atlantic.
- From the harbour
- All abilities
- Seasonal
Follow the coast path
The South West Coast Path threads past rugged cliffs, hidden coves and wide sweeps of sand all around Padstow. Pick a short stretch between two bays or a longer half-day walk — the views are extraordinary in every direction.
- South West Coast Path
- Clifftops & coves
- Short or long routes
Drop into Padstow Museum
A small, characterful museum tucked into an old building in town, telling the story of Padstow, its fishing heritage and the famous May Day ‘Obby ’Oss celebration through photographs, objects and documents.
- Local history
- Fishing heritage
- Rainy-day pick
Out and about
The harbour, the boats and the coast path
From a morning on the water to an afternoon on the cliffs, the area around Padstow rewards every kind of day out.
Keep exploring
More to see around the park
There’s far more to North Cornwall than a single day can hold. Dig into the beaches you can walk and surf, the coast-path routes that start near the gate, the best places to eat, and the harbour town itself.
From dawn to dusk
A day at Atlantic Bays
From a sunrise paddle to stars over St Merryn, here’s how a single Cornish day can unfold when you’re based on the park. Swipe through, dawn to dusk.
- Sunrise
Mid-morningCoffee & pastries in Padstow
Amble the harbour streets and warm up with a flat white and something freshly baked by the water.
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MiddayRockpools & sandcastles
Back to the sand for the low-tide treasure hunt — crabs, anemones and a castle worth defending.
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AfternoonA stretch of the coast path
Follow the clifftops between two bays, with the Atlantic glittering away to the horizon.
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EveningFire-pit supper at the lodge
Gather round as the embers glow, plates full and the day's salt air still on your skin.
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After darkStars over St Merryn
Step outside into the dark-sky quiet and let the whole Milky Way arc over the countryside.
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Swipe through the day
Make it your base
Stay minutes from all of it
Lodges, cabins, touring and camping — all within a short drive of Padstow and the beaches. Check live availability for your dates, or call the team and we’ll help you plan your trip.