Anyone been to Padstow, Cornwall

[Joceybean]

We are going for a week in August and wondered if anyone has been there before. We are travelling with a 6.5 and 3.5 dd's. We are staying about 2 miles outside so I guess that will be our main place for the beach? Also any tips on where to park (if there are parking problems) would be gratefully received.

Thanks x

Yup - completely agree - just cars and Padstow in general are hell

My Aunt lives there so I have spent most of my life going there now and then. Always go to visit though, so not much help

Beautiful beautiful place though.

Oh lucky you, Padstow is lovely! Fab huge beach with golden sand, rock pools for the kids to fish in, harbour, great places to eat and the kind of shops you want to browse in on holiday.

But park outside as Malory says, it's all narrow streets and no parking in the centre.

Aren't you a grockel then fio?

parking is a 'mare

There are also nice beaches at Harlyn & Treyarnon

I was going to rant about Rick Stein and grockles, but decided against it!!!

Oooh yes - harlyn bay is lovely. Went there for a wedding when DD was little - some great photos on the beach on a very cold morning.

Yes fio I know they are tourists. But it's a West Country word, isn't it?

You are not from the West Country!

In fact you are not even from the seaside if we want to be accurate

BTW did you get my email?

go to POlzeath, really lovely for a a day at the beach..also do the camel trail on bikes from Wadebridge.

If you go in to Padstow earl;y you can park near the harbouir. nice to walk around but not all day with the kids.

Rick Stein's restaurant is mega expensive, but his cafe is OK, and do lovely plaice gougons which my dd's loved The devilled mackeral is lovely.

Wow, thanks for your wonderful replies. That is exaxtly the kind of information I am after. Malorytowers, we are hiring a cottage in St Merryn which we have been told is about 2 miles out of Padstow.

grockle is a fantastic word. am thinking about cornwall in august.looking foward to being a grockle.

Ooh, we are not gonig to Padstow but are dining at Rick Steins during our holiday - adults only meal out so really looking forward to it (kids would not eat it and waste expensive food!)

There are just hundreds of gorgeous beaches all around that area. Padstow itself is great for a couple of day visits, but explore places like Port Isaac, Port Gaverne, Tintagel etc. We always go to Polzeath beach. There are two bays, and along the rocks that divide the two as the tide is going out, there are always fantastic little pools, about 2 to 3 foot deep at their deepest, which are perfect for smaller children who might be too little to go into the sea. So park on Polzeath beach, walk out towards the sea along the right hand edge and you'll find some fantastic places to sit. I'm so jealous!

Chip shop in Port Isaac is gorgeous!
Love Daymer Bay beach, great for a days fun(sorry if spelt wrong)
Dh loves Pasdstow and is waiting for the day that we can move there!

Thanks, everyone. Your enthusiasm makes me very excited. We booked it months ago and i cant believe only 1 more month to go. The only thing to worry about now is stopping two small children from aggrivating each other for 6 hours in the back of the car on the way down there. I guess thats a whole different thread!!!