Major city · United Kingdom
PadstowLannwedhenek
Give Padstow 2 nights: one full day for the harbour, Camel Trail and a beach, one for Prideaux Place or a Rock ferry. Skip it as a day trip in Jul–Aug.
Padstow is a small north Cornwall harbour town of about 2,800 people, built around a working quay where the Camel Estuary meets the sea. It is walkable end to end in 15 minutes, but the food scene (Rick Stein's restaurants and the pubs around the harbour) and the beaches within 5 km make it worth two nights rather than a pass-through. Summer parking is the main friction: use the Park & Ride and walk.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GBP
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep
- avoid Jul–Aug (crowds and parking), school half-terms
- Airports
- NQY · EXT
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
- Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
- United Kingdom ↗Most visitors who do not need a UK visa now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling; this includes EU nationals. Irish citizens are exempt. Check the UK government site for your passport.
- United Kingdom ↗The UK is outside the EU and the Schengen area; a Schengen visa is not valid for the UK.
- United Kingdom ↗Driving is on the left; London has congestion and emissions charges for most vehicles, so do not drive in the city.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Padstow999 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Padstow, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the pound sterling (GBP, £).United Kingdom-wide
- SIM or eSIMEE, Vodafone (merged with Three in 2025) and O2 run the networks; prepaid SIMs sell in supermarkets, phone shops and airport vending machines…United Kingdom-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere.United Kingdom-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurant with table service: 10–12.5% if no service charge is on the bill; check before adding more.United Kingdom-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United Kingdom-wide
- SafetyPadstow is a low-crime village and safe to walk at night.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are scarce and some charge 50p–£1 (≈ US$2) or are card-only.United Kingdom-wide
- Emergency numbers999 police, fire, ambulance · 112 EU emergency number · 111 NHS non-urgent
- Sundays & holidaysShops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 or 11:00–16:00 or 17:00).Shops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 AM or 11:00 AM–4:00 PM or 5:00 PM).United Kingdom-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportNQY Cornwall Airport Newquay (About 20 km (12 mi) / 30 min by road; daily flights to London Gatwick, Stansted and Luton, plus some Ireland and Germany routes.NQY Cornwall Airport Newquay (About 12 mi (20 km) / 30 min by road; daily flights to London Gatwick, Stansted and Luton, plus some Ireland and Germany routes.
- Getting aroundEverything in the village is walkable: harbour to Prideaux Place is about 10 minutes uphill.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or tea in a café£3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
- Sit-down mealPub main course£14–22 (≈ US$19–30)
- Street or quick mealPasty or sandwich£4–7 (≈ US$6–10)
- BeerPint of beer£4.50–6 (≈ US$6–8)
- Budget bedHostel or bunkhouse bed, a night, per person£30 (≈ US$40)
- Mid-range bedB&B or pub double room, a night, per room£150 (≈ US$200)
- High-end bedB&B or pub double room, a night, per room£280 (≈ US$400)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget £60 (≈ US$80) · Mid £110 (≈ US$150) · High £200 (≈ US$300)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- NQY Cornwall Airport Newquay (About 20 km (12 mi) / 30 min by road; daily flights to London Gatwick, Stansted and Luton, plus some Ireland and Germany routes. Check current schedules.) · EXT Exeter (About 130 km (81 mi) / 1 h 45 min by road; a fallback if NQY has no suitable flight.)NQY Cornwall Airport Newquay (About 12 mi (20 km) / 30 min by road; daily flights to London Gatwick, Stansted and Luton, plus some Ireland and Germany routes. Check current schedules.) · EXT Exeter (About 81 mi (130 km) / 1 h 45 min by road; a fallback if NQY has no suitable flight.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Feb
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Mar
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Apr
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
May
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Jun
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jul
Avoid
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Aug
Avoid
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Sep
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Oct
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Nov
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Dec
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Best: May–Jun, Sep. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)), coolest Feb (3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C) low), wettest Jan (17 rain days), driest Jun (10). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Padstow: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
17 rd
Feb
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
14 rd
Mar
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
14 rd
Apr
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
12 rd
May
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
11 rd
Jun
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
10 rd
Jul
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
10 rd
Aug
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
11 rd
Sep
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
12 rd
Oct
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
15 rd
Nov
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
17 rd
Dec
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
17 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Everything in the village is walkable: harbour to Prideaux Place is about 10 minutes uphill. The Camel Trail starts near the Station Road car park and runs to Wadebridge (about 9 km) and on to Bodmin. A ferry crosses to Rock from the harbour slip; a water taxi runs some evenings. Buses link Padstow with Wadebridge and Bodmin, where you connect to the main rail line.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 45 min by bike
Camel Trail by bike or on foot from the Station Road car park, or bus
Flat estuary section with the best views; the Wadebridge stretch is on-road, so less confident cyclists should walk it.
Rock
goDoor to door: About 15 min
Ferry from the harbour slip, about every 20 min from morning; water taxi some evenings
Short crossing; check the last return sailing time, which changes with the season.
Newquay
goDoor to door: About 45–60 min
Bus or car via the A39
Surf beaches and the airport; combine with a NQY flight day.
Bodmin
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
Camel Trail to the town, or bus to Bodmin Parkway for trains
The trail section climbs gently through a wooded valley; the rail station is outside town.
Tintagel
goDoor to door: About 50 min
Car or bus via Wadebridge and Camelford
Castle ruins on the cliff; a half-day, best in dry weather.
Boscastle
goDoor to door: About 50 min
Car or bus via Wadebridge and Camelford
Small harbour village; pairs well with Tintagel in one day.
Bude
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h 15 min
Car via the A39
Longer run north; better as a stop on a coast drive than a return day trip.
Perranporth
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
Car or bus via Newquay
Beach day; only worth it if you have already used the Padstow-area beaches.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Harbour and quayside
Steps from the pubs, restaurants and ferry slip; noisier in summer and the priciest rooms.
Town centre (Lanadwell St, Mill Square, High St)
5–10 min walk to the harbour; most B&Bs, hotels and the townhouse cluster here.
Station Road and Riverside
Near the Camel Trail start and the car park; good for cyclists and families with a car.
Trevone, Harlyn and Constantine Bay
3–6 km (1.9–3.7 mi) west; beach-first stays that need a car or a taxi into town.1.9–3.7 mi (3–6 km) west; beach-first stays that need a car or a taxi into town.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- £60–90 (≈ US$80–120) excl. bed
- Mid
- £90–150 (≈ US$120–200) excl. bed
- High
- £150 (≈ US$200)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| B&B or pub double room1 × 2 nights × £150 | £300 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × £110 | £440 |
| Park & Ride, per car per day1 × £4 | £4 |
| Camel Trail bike hire, per day2 × £20 | £40 |
| Ferry to Rock, adult return2 × £6 | £12 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × £8 | £16 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | £81 |
| Trip total≈ £223 per person per day, bed included | £893≈ US$1,200 |
2026 estimate in pounds; travel to Cornwall excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or tea in a café | £3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Pasty or sandwich | £4–7 (≈ US$6–10) |
| Fish and chips, takeawayExpect queues at peak times. | £10–15 (≈ US$14–20) |
| Pub main course | £14–22 (≈ US$19–30) |
| Seafood restaurant mainBook weeks ahead in summer. | £20 (≈ US$30)+ |
| Pint of beer | £4.50–6 (≈ US$6–8) |
| Park & Ride, per car | About £4 (≈ US$6) |
| Ferry to Rock, adult single | About £3 (≈ US$4) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Parking fills early in peak months: use the Park & Ride near Tesco (Easter, May Day and Jun–Aug; about £4 (≈ US$6) per car) and walk in.
- Restaurant tables at the well-known seafood places book out weeks ahead in summer: reserve before you book the room.
- Beach and cliff paths are unlit and uneven; carry a torch if you walk back after dark.
- Swimming: use lifeguarded beaches in season and check rip-current warnings; the estuary has strong tidal flow.
- May Day ('Obby 'Oss) and Boxing Day bring big crowds and road closures: check local notices.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 999
- EU emergency number
- 112
- NHS non-urgent
- 111
- Police non-urgent
- 101
Pocket card
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PadstowLannwedhenek
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance999
- EU emergency number112
- NHS non-urgent111
- Police non-urgent101
Embassy
No embassies in Cornwall. The US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Ireland have embassies or high commissions in London; the nearest consulates are in Bristol or Plymouth.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Park & Ride, per car: about £4 (≈ US$6); buses stop in the early evening
- Ferry Padstow → Rock, adult: about £3 (≈ US$4) single; last return varies by season
- Camel Trail bike hire, per day: about £20 (≈ US$30)
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- Sorry — Excuse me / Sorry
- Please — Please
- How much is it? — How much is it?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Where is the toilet? — Where is the toilet?
English is the everyday language; Cornish (Lannwedhenek is the Cornish name for Padstow) is a revived language with few daily speakers.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Padstow. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Jun, Sep · avoid Jul–Aug (crowds and parking), school half-terms · month by month →
- 2 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 8 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for NQY: last bus and taxi fallback field-checked, overnight rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: harbour and quay, Lanadwell St and Mill Square, Station Road and the Camel Trail, Prideaux Place.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (National Lobster Hatchery, Prideaux Place, Padstow Museum, lifeboat station) and eat pages with last orders.
- Ferry and Park & Ride fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialPadstow official tourism site
- officialCornwall Airport Newquay
- officialNational Lobster Hatchery
- officialPrideaux Place
- officialPadstow Museum
- secondaryWikivoyage: Padstow, revision 5239177 (CC BY-SA 4.0)