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

Ooh we're staying in trevone next week (just when this hot spell ends unfortunately). If you don't mind a bit of a trek, then Bedruthan Steps is great - you need to check the tides as at high tide there is no beach, but when the tide is out there is a vast expanse of beach which is relatively deserted, with these wonderful rock formations. You do need to go down lots and lots of steps (and go back up them at the end) though.

While the beach at Padstow is a bit of a walk (10mins), it is worthwhile because the beaches themselves are less crowded than Rock. There are little pools in the estuary at low tide, which you can access from either Rock or Padstow side. The tide goes out a huge way, so you just have this massive stretch of sand - great for kids.

Padstow itself has lots of nice cafes and restaurants (other than Rick Stein's!). There is also a michelin-starred restaurant in St Merryns which you would need to book in advance (and hire a babysitter).

And a final boring tip - Tesco's deliver to Trevone - they will probably deliver to St Merryns as well.

Padstow is lovely. Parking is crap.But as driving in Padstow is crap too it doesn't matter. Park at the top and walk. Area is generally lovely too. used to stay there pre-Rick Stein when it was quiet and bit less polished. There used to be an old warehouse on the quay where fisherman used to keep anything weird and wonderful they they caught in their nets and charge 50p to see it. It's not there now although there is some kind of Padstow experience job that cost lots more.

Treyarnon bay is perfect.

PS I thought Cornish people called visitors emmets - grockles is a more general West Country term of disparagment for those who bring vast amounts of seasonal dosh

ditto trevone is lovely
Would definaltly spend a day at polzeath
Would also recommend gettin the small passanger ferry to rock (to catch it go right to the end of the harbour and you go down a slope) thn walk round the rocky beach to daymer.

I am just so looking foreward to this holiday now. Glad there is a tesco to stock up as well! We dont mind walking as would rather do that than get tangled up in all the traffic. I really want a bucket and spade holiday for the children with rock pooling etc and it sounds like all that is catered for. I used to stay in St Agnes as a child and think there must be no better place than cornwall.

Just back from padstow on saturday - am very jealous of you going there.

We stayed above the shop afterthoughts overlooking the harbour and it was fabulous. When ds was in bed we sat on the windowseats and watched the sun set over the harbout - bliss.

We did buy rick steins fish and chips but I have to say they're not as good as the little fish shop behing the chough bakery which is always empty (poor old man who runs it -I always feel sorry for him)

Trevone is our favourite beach, and bedruthan is well worth a visit - just don't look down as you go down the steps

I will make a point of visiting the other fish and chip shop then!

GDG - we did the same a few years ago and it was incredible. The sommelier at the time was fantastic and we had the most exquisite wine. The art work was impressive and the whole place had an incedible buzz. My meal was exceptionally good.

I love the whole area for exploring. Perfect with young children.