101 places to go – Padstow

While Padstow in Cornwall is no less stunning and inviting than some of the finest locations featured so far in ‘101 Places to go in the UK, Ireland and France’, we decided to include it because it offers incredible fish and chips! But that’s just us – you may prefer to gaze out over the harbour, explore some of Padstow’s quirkier celebrations of heritage, or just enjoy doing nothing in this jewel on Cornwall’s north coast.

Here are a few of our favourite things to enjoy in Padstow. Got your own? Leave a comment below!

• Chef Rick Stein played a large part in Padstow’s reinvention as a culinary oasis. People travel for miles to enjoy his seafood restaurants, including: The Seafood Restaurant, St Petroc’s Bistro, Rick Stein’s Café and Stein’s Fish & Chips. Just make sure you book early and bring your appetite!

• The “Obby Oss” and “Mummers’ Day” festivals prove that Padstow can compete with the best of the UK when it comes to strange celebrations of unknown origin. Taking place at the beginning of May and Boxing Day respectively, each festival contains plenty of music, dressing up and revelry.

• Padstow proves equally scenic from its surrounding waters. A boat ride round the bay not only allows you to appreciate the stunning natural geography of the Cornish coast, but you might also be able to see some of its local wildlife too!