2 days in Padstow: a weekend itinerary
A foodie harbour, a flat cycle trail and golden bays, all within a short distance.
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- Updated October 2026
Padstow is a busy fishing harbour on the Camel estuary, famous for its seafood. This plan keeps day one for the harbour and an easy bike ride, and uses day two for a stately home and the beaches.
Summer is very busy, so book food and parking well ahead.
Day 1: Harbour and the Camel Trail
- Morning: Wander the harbour and the town, then hire bikes for the Camel Trail.
- Lunch: Eat fresh seafood at the harbour or a pub in Wadebridge.
- Afternoon: Cycle the flat Camel Trail along the estuary to Wadebridge, about six miles each way.
- Evening: Have dinner at one of Padstow's well-known seafood restaurants.
Day 2: Prideaux Place and the beaches
- Morning: Visit Prideaux Place, an Elizabethan house and deer park above the town.
- Lunch: Take the ferry across the estuary to Rock, and eat at a pub.
- Afternoon: Walk to Daymer Bay, or relax at Harlyn Bay or Trevone, nearby sandy beaches.
- Heading home: Leave in the late afternoon, avoiding the summer traffic.
Where to stay
Padstow itself is the best base, but it is pricey. Rock, Wadebridge and the villages around offer more choice and better value.
Prices change daily, so check a few sites. These are affiliate links.
Getting there and around
- From Exeter: About 2 hours by car.
- From Bristol: About 3 hours by car.
- From London: About 5.5 hours by car, or train to Bodmin Parkway and then a bus or taxi.
A car is useful, but parking in Padstow is limited, so use the large car park outside town. The Camel Trail is a good way to get around.
If it rains
If it rains, spend longer over seafood, and visit the National Lobster Hatchery and Prideaux Place.
Packing list for Padstow
Handy things people often forget. These are Amazon links, so prices and availability are set by Amazon.
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More kit guides: Beach and coast gear Cycling gear Walking gear
Frequently asked questions
Is Padstow worth a weekend?
Yes. It is a lovely harbour town with good food and easy coast and trail access.
Can I cycle the Camel Trail without a car?
Yes. Bikes can be hired in Padstow, and the trail starts in the town.
When is Padstow busiest?
Summer weekends and school holidays. Spring and autumn are quieter.
Keep planning
A Cornish fishing harbour famous for seafood and the Camel Trail
Camel Trail cyclingPadstow to Wadebridge, CornwallThe Camel Trail is a flat, traffic-free path along a former railway line beside the Camel Estuary, running from Padstow to Wadebridge and on towards Bodmin.
Seafood in PadstowPadstow, CornwallPadstow is one of Cornwall's best-known food towns, centred on a working fishing harbour.
Tintagel Castle visitTintagel, CornwallTintagel Castle is a ruined fortress on a dramatic Cornish headland, linked by legend with King Arthur.
Last reviewed October 2026. Prices, opening times and travel details change, so check before you go. Report an error or share a tip.