Lowenna Merritt
15 August 2026
Wondering what to do when staying in Padstow? Here’s a 7-day itinerary for your next holiday in this beautiful North Cornwall harbour town, with an activity for each day followed by a restaurant for dinner.
Welcome to Padstow, the foodie hub of North Cornwall, where the aroma of coffee and fresh-out-the-oven pastries greets you at every turn. Here, Michelin-starred eateries sit perfectly next door to traditional pubs, seafood caught that morning is served for dinner, and pasties are available no matter the weather. But beyond its taste sensations, Padstow offers a huge array of activities both on the coast and inland.
From sea safaris to cycling, visiting the many nearby beaches, to soaking up the harbourside atmosphere, there’s so much to do in Padstow, it’s hard to know how to fit it all in. Therefore, we’ve come up with a guide of how to spend 7 days in Padstow, with an activity for each day and a restaurant pairing for dinner. So, dive into the vibrant shoreside scene of this coastal town with our recommended itinerary.
See our retreats in the heart of Padstow, or browse all of our North Cornwall retreats for plenty more accommodation nearby.
Day 1: Explore what’s on your doorstep
Begin your trip by familiarising yourself with the beautiful and buzzy harbour, the heart of Padstow, where there’s always something going on, from water taxis and boats docking up to sea birds landing on the harbour walls.
Head deeper into the village and wander the charming streets, where you’ll discover a treasure trove of independent shops, boutiques, and artisanal galleries. From handcrafted jewellery to locally made ceramics, shop for a souvenir before grabbing a coffee from one of the many delis and cafés.
Looking for a beach near Padstow? In the afternoon, take the scenic walk along the estuary past St Saviours Point up to Hawker’s Cove. Here, you’ll pass plenty of little coves, making perfect swim spots, and you can walk as far as you like or simply sit back on the grass and soak up the views.
If you want the full secluded beach experience, you're in luck. Continue walking the coast path for around 30 minutes (or take the ten minute drive from Padstow) and you'll arrive at Harbour Cove. A quiet sweep of soft white sand, where dogs are welcome year-round and you're sure to find a good sunbathing spot. There's a car park just a short walk from the beach.
There's no lifeguard cover at Harbour Cove or Hawker's Cove, so be aware of sea safety when visiting.
Fancy looking at other areas of the north coast? Explore our holiday cottages in Port Isaac, just a short drive away from Rock and Padstow.
Dinner
For your first night, start your foodie journey at Rick Stein’s café, his relaxed, family-friendly and Asian-inspired eatery nestled in the winding village streets. Here, you can tuck into Rick Stein classics, such as his famous curries, noodles, Nasi Goreng, and salt and pepper prawns.
Day 2: Catch the ferry to Rock
On your second day, head to the harbour and catch a ferry or water taxi across the Camel Estuary to the gorgeous shoreside town of Rock. Feel the sea breeze on your face as you soak up the views. Upon arrival to Rock, try your hand at water sports or a sailing lesson, explore the powdery sand dunes, or sunbathe on the beach.
There's plenty of places to eat and drink across the estuary in Rock. Head to Fee's Deli on Rock Road, a trendy spot that serves up iced matcha lattes, cakes and fresh salad boxes to locals, visitors and the occasional celebrity. Four Boys offers seasonal seafood plates overlooking the estuary, whilst the Bluntrock Brewery is a laid-back al-fresco bar with regular live music events and guest brews.
Dinner
Head to The Mariners for lunch or dinner, a Paul Ainsworth eatery famous for its fine-dining twist on pub classics such as the scotch egg and shepherd’s pie, and an excellent range of fresh seafood.
Day 3: Go on a Sealife Safari boat tour
Head to the harbour and book a Sealife Safari boat tour, where you’ll discover the diverse marine life that inhabits the waters off the coast of Padstow. Led by knowledgeable guides, you’ll have the opportunity to spot seals, dolphins, and various seabirds in their natural habitat. You’ll learn about the importance of conservation efforts in the area, while also enjoying a highly scenic tour of the coastline.
We spoke to a visitor who had just jumped off one of their safari tours. "It was amazing", she shared. "We saw so many dolphins and even a pod of porpoises. It's really magical to see them swimming about in their natural habitat".
Day 4: Cycle the Camel Trail
Set off on a cycle adventure along the Camel Trail from Padstow to Bodmin. This beautiful route traces the path of a former railway line. Stretching over 12 miles and mostly level, it’s perfect for families and those new to cycling. The Camel Trail treats visitors to breathtaking vistas of moors, forests, and estuaries, catering to walkers, runners, cyclists, and horse-riders alike. The trail passes through a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC).
Along the Camel Trail, you may spot otters, bats, dormice, kingfishers, and little egrets, as well as the vibrant blooms of marsh orchids and marsh marigolds.
Dinner
After a day of activity, refuel with a hearty pub dinner in the Old Custom House, one of Padstow’s cosiest pubs with a great selection of drinks and harbourside views.
Day 5: Explore the Seven Bays
On day 5, you might be craving some time relaxing on the beach. Luckily, there's plenty of beaches near Padstow. Take a day trip to the famous Seven Bays stretch of coastline, just next door to Padstow. The beaches of Porthcothan, Treyarnon, Constantine, Harlyn, Trevone, Booby’s Bay, and Mother Ivey’s Bay each offer their own unique charm.
Bringing your dog? Constantine Bay, Harlyn Bay and Porthcothan Bay welcome dogs all year round.
Set up camp on the sandy shores of Harlyn Bay, where you can try a surfing lesson, or head to a quieter spot by the rugged cliffs of Trevone Bay, where low tide reveals a long stretch of beach and a tidal pool perfect for a cold water dip. Try out Porthcothan, a pretty cove which reveals the tropical looking Trescore Islands sea pool around the coast path at low tide. Settle onto your beach of choice, or pack a picnic and spend the day hopping from one bay to the next, discovering hidden coves and breathtaking views along the way.
Dinner
For dinner, head back to Padstow and dine at Prawn on the Lawn, a fun and vibrant little spot tucked away in the village side streets serving small seafood plates with big flavours. The seared tuna is a must - enjoyed with a frozen margarita, of course.
Day 6: Visit a vineyard
Feel like you’re in the south of France with a visit to Trevibban Mill Vineyard & Orchards, where award-winning wines and gorgeous vineyard views await. Take a guided tour of the vineyard and learn about the winemaking process, from grape to glass. Set in a wildflower field, sample a selection of their finest wines in the sun and gaze out across the views. We recommend the Rock Rosé - an elegant, dry and crisp wine which pairs perfectly with a summer afternoon.
Downstairs you'll find Barnaby's restaurant, the sister eatery to Prawn on the Lawn in Padstow centre. Enjoy more of their incredible seafood small plates for a post-wine tasting lunch. You can also enjoy a glass of Trevibban Mill wine with your meal. Barnaby's also serves whole fish, such as monkfish and turbot, in their delicious sumac seasoning. Or opt for the ribeye served with baharat butter and almond. Their menu is always changing, so be sure to try something new each time you visit.
Dinner
Once you’re home, head to Paul Ainsworth’s Café Rojano for small plates, pasta and pizza – the perfect dinner after an afternoon of wine sampling.
Day 7: Lobster Hatchery or Stein’s Cookery School
For your final day in Padstow, why not try an activity to round off your stay? Visit The National Lobster Hatchery, where you can learn about the important marine conservation work this charity does. The Lobster Hatchery is absolutely worth the visit - you'll get to see adorable baby lobsters in the "maternity unit" and giant orange lobsters, alongside starfish and crabs.
Fancy learning how to cook some of the delicious food you sampled during your holiday? Book a one-day cooking course at Rick Stein’s Cookery School and learn a new recipe to take home with you. From Spanish tapas to crab linguine, have fun learning the art of Rick's recipes before tucking into your own creation.
Dinner
No visit to Padstow would be complete without a meal at The Seafood Restaurant, the flagship Rick Stein restaurant with a reputation for serving the best of Cornish fish.
Escape to Padstow
If you have been inspired to spend a week in Padstow full of adventure activity and good food, browse our range of cottages to find your perfect base in the seaside town.
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.