This is a brilliant place for a breather from the kids. Set them off on the crazy golf and you can relax with a tea or coffee and cake. From the cafe the panoramic views of Padstow and the Camel Estuary are superb. We always go there for the view when in Padstow.

Up the steps off North Quay Parade, Padstow

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Once you book with this family-owned company, Cornish Horizons will offer you first refusal on the same week at the same property the following year. Such a relief for when you find a holiday home you love to return to year in year out - it's like having your very own time share week! And saves having to take pot luck on booking.

www.cornishhorizons.co.uk
19 New Street, Padstow, Cornwall PL28 8EA
01841 533 331

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

This youth hostel occupies a fantastic position on the cliff above Treyarnon beach, which is only one in a string of perfect beaches nearby.

The hostel is open all year round and especially popular in the summer, but also great for an out-of- season break.

They have a cafe and a bar where you can sample Cornish real ales, or you can self-cater in traditional hostel style. The sitting and dining areas have trendy orange and blue walls, surf boards hanging from every surface and the work of local artists on the walls.

The rooms sleep from 3 to 6 people and are all kitted out with pine bunk beds and cheerful curtains - some even have en-suite bathrooms. It's ideally suited to families, out-door types and surfers.

You can read my review on my blog
heatheronhertravels.blogspot.com/2008/02/bright-skies-and-blue-seas-in-cornwall.html

Tregonnan, Treyarnon, nr Padstow, Cornwall, PL28 8JR, Tel: 0870 770 6076, Email: treyarnon@yha.org.uk
www.yha.org.uk/find-accommodation/south-west-england/hostels/treyarnon/

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Want to drive to Padstow to sample the various Rick Stein fare on offer? Here's a tip. Don't. Get on your bike instead. Go to Wadebridge (a pleasant enough place in itself), park there and then cycle down the beautiful, flat, and car free Camel Valley Trail along the river. There are ample bike hire places right by the trail itself, all with baby trailers, child-seats, kids' bikes (we took a three-month-old and a very excited two-and-a-half year old) and decent grown up bikes. Even for the seriously unfit/uncoordinated, it takes all of 45 minutes to amble into 'Padstein'. Once there, you avoid the six mile traffic queue and can securely park your bike for 50p in the many 'bike parks' at the end of the trail. And now you've worked up an appetite, Padstow is your oyster...

Another tip, avoid the hordes and head for the back streets - the Rick Stein Cafe (his 'third' restaurant) has his trademark great food, is very child-friendly, and doesn't take bookings. On the day we were there (a gloriously sunny August day) we had to wait for 20 minutes, which was a shorter than the queue for his fish and chips takeaway!

www.ncdc.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=13629

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Beautiful beach and great for kids. The beach slopes very gently. Great for walks too. If you wander round to Rock you can get the ferry across to Padstow. Daimer Bay is great for windsurfers and surfing where there is a decent wind or swell. Voted one of the best beaches in the world.

It's a 2 minute drivefrom Polzeath, go through the Polzeath beach road and carry on for about a mile or two it's a turning on the right. if you get stuck ask a local.

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Any mention of Rick Stein these days elicits groans - a visit to his chippy will surely leave us well-fed, but well-fleeced, too. I've travelled the country in search of the perfect fish and chips, I can honestly say I found it here - the fish was cooked to perfection, accompanied by beautiful, brown-mottled, crisp chips with fluffy insides.

Yes, perfection does come at a price - they're fried in beef dripping - but if you can forgive them this, then cod and chips is well worth the £5.50 price tag - which, incidentally, is cheaper than my local.

South Quay, Padstow
Tel: 01841 532700

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends