Lucy's Guidebook
Food scene
I love everything about Cherry Trees. The homemade cakes & cookies, the fresh food and excellent friendly service keeps me coming back almost daily for my midday coffee and treat fix. They serve breakfast and lunch plus homemade desserts and pasties. You can eat in, or take away and sit around the harbour enjoying the view and some prime people (and dog) watching, just keep an eye out for those pesky seagulls.
21 locals recommend
Cherry Trees Coffee House
I love everything about Cherry Trees. The homemade cakes & cookies, the fresh food and excellent friendly service keeps me coming back almost daily for my midday coffee and treat fix. They serve breakfast and lunch plus homemade desserts and pasties. You can eat in, or take away and sit around the harbour enjoying the view and some prime people (and dog) watching, just keep an eye out for those pesky seagulls.
This is my absolute favourite no fuss restaurant in Padstow. The service is friendly, the food is excellent and great value, and the view is just incredible (make sure you get a table outside). The wine and cocktail list is also impressive, the Expresso Martini is one of the best I’ve ever had. My favourite dishes on the menu are the Ham Hock Salad, the Butterfly Chicken Supreme and the Roasted Whole Mackerel. I always go to Greens when I want to treat myself on a day off, and I suggest you do the same!
26 locals recommend
Green's Cafe & Padstow Crazy Golf
North QuayThis is my absolute favourite no fuss restaurant in Padstow. The service is friendly, the food is excellent and great value, and the view is just incredible (make sure you get a table outside). The wine and cocktail list is also impressive, the Expresso Martini is one of the best I’ve ever had. My favourite dishes on the menu are the Ham Hock Salad, the Butterfly Chicken Supreme and the Roasted Whole Mackerel. I always go to Greens when I want to treat myself on a day off, and I suggest you do the same!
Out of all the pubs around Padstow Harbour, the Old Custom House is my go to for comfort food. My favourite dishes are the Crab and Prawn Linguine and the Locally Steamed Mussels. If you feel like a low key pub dinner, you can’t go wrong at the Old Custom House.
14 locals recommend
Old Custom House
South QuayOut of all the pubs around Padstow Harbour, the Old Custom House is my go to for comfort food. My favourite dishes are the Crab and Prawn Linguine and the Locally Steamed Mussels. If you feel like a low key pub dinner, you can’t go wrong at the Old Custom House.
What’s the best way to end a beautiful walk along the coast? I’d say an excellent cream tea or a cone of locally made ice cream at Rest A While Tea Garden! And the views are the cherry on top! And depending on the tide, I recommend walking along the beach one way and on the cliffs the other way, then you get the best of both scenic walks.
10 locals recommend
Rest A While Tea Garden
7 Coastguard HousesWhat’s the best way to end a beautiful walk along the coast? I’d say an excellent cream tea or a cone of locally made ice cream at Rest A While Tea Garden! And the views are the cherry on top! And depending on the tide, I recommend walking along the beach one way and on the cliffs the other way, then you get the best of both scenic walks.
Sightseeing
My favourite walk to do on a nice day is the walk from the harbour to Tregudda Gorge. It’s absolutely incredible and some of the most dramatic coastal scenery you will see. You can keep walking East and you’ll pass Butterhole Beach, Pepper Hole and eventually Stepper Point - all incredible - then you can loop around and head back to Padstow either along the beach or on the cliffs depending on the tide. This is a beautiful day out and if you’re a keen walker, I highly recommend this stunning route.
Tregudda Gorge
South West Coast PathMy favourite walk to do on a nice day is the walk from the harbour to Tregudda Gorge. It’s absolutely incredible and some of the most dramatic coastal scenery you will see. You can keep walking East and you’ll pass Butterhole Beach, Pepper Hole and eventually Stepper Point - all incredible - then you can loop around and head back to Padstow either along the beach or on the cliffs depending on the tide. This is a beautiful day out and if you’re a keen walker, I highly recommend this stunning route.
If you love beautiful scenery and cycling then you have to cycle the Camel trail! You can go all the way to Wadebridge and back easily in a day. And make sure to stop halfway for an ice cream at the food truck just past the slate mounds. You can rent bikes at Padstow Cycle hire located just before the start of the trail.
182 locals recommend
Camel Trail (Cycle Way)
If you love beautiful scenery and cycling then you have to cycle the Camel trail! You can go all the way to Wadebridge and back easily in a day. And make sure to stop halfway for an ice cream at the food truck just past the slate mounds. You can rent bikes at Padstow Cycle hire located just before the start of the trail.
Wine
The absolute best place for wine lovers. Let the lovely and knowledgeable staff guide you and you can’t go wrong. This is a shop and a bar so you can grab a bottle (or two) to take home with you. There’s also nibbles if you get hungry. Orange wine is my absolute favourite and I’m happy to say they always have a few on rotation so that’s usually what I go for, but you could spend a lot of time exploring the menu and with the cute cozy vibe you won’t mind spending an evening getting lost in it.
21 locals recommend
BinTwo
The absolute best place for wine lovers. Let the lovely and knowledgeable staff guide you and you can’t go wrong. This is a shop and a bar so you can grab a bottle (or two) to take home with you. There’s also nibbles if you get hungry. Orange wine is my absolute favourite and I’m happy to say they always have a few on rotation so that’s usually what I go for, but you could spend a lot of time exploring the menu and with the cute cozy vibe you won’t mind spending an evening getting lost in it.
Shopping
THE best place for gifts as most of the quirky and unique items are made locally. They sell everything from soaps to art to handmade jewellery and cute kids clothes plus much much more! The owners are lovely too and they are happy to tell you all about the local artists and anything else Padstow related. At Dydh Da, you will find one of a kind pieces you won’t find anywhere else in Padstow.
Dydh Da
THE best place for gifts as most of the quirky and unique items are made locally. They sell everything from soaps to art to handmade jewellery and cute kids clothes plus much much more! The owners are lovely too and they are happy to tell you all about the local artists and anything else Padstow related. At Dydh Da, you will find one of a kind pieces you won’t find anywhere else in Padstow.
City advice
Book before you go
Book before you go (if you can book ahead, do it!)
It’s always best to book ahead as it can get very busy in Padstow. This goes for restaurants and activities. Taxis should be booked at least 24hrs ahead (ideally 48) too. Don’t miss out on anything, book ahead!
Ways to save
Cheap Pasties!
Between about 4pm & 5pm depending on the time of year (a bit earlier in season & later out of season) all the pastie shops in town sell the last of their stock at a 50% or more discount! So be sure to grab some cheap pasties before they run out. Pasties last 2 or 3 days in the fridge or 4 or 5 days if frozen. For my pasties, I love The Cornish Bakery, Padstow Pasty and Cherry Trees.
Getting around
Take a ride on the Atlantic Coaster!
One of the UK’s most spectacular open top bus rides, showcasing Cornwall’s rugged Atlantic Coast stops right in Padstow! Traversing the 46 miles of stunning coastline between St Ives, Newquay and Padstow. You can hop & off when you please and pay on the bus. It’s just £15 for the day. For bus timetables head to www.firstbus.co.uk