long, sandy beach, is accessible from Padstow by ferry and there are additional water taxis that run into the evening between the two villages. Rock also boasts a superb 18-hole golf course at St Enodoc with some of the finest views across the estuary and out to sea.
Padstow enjoys a mild climate, as it is protected from the worst of the Atlantic gales by its position on the west side of the Camel estuary. During the summer this part of Cornwall has some of the highest number of ‘sunshine hours’, making it comparable to any Southern European destination. During the off-season months, the climate is still very clement and it is rare for Padstow to suffer snow or frost during the winter months. The surrounding countryside is perfect for walking and hiking, with the South West Coastal Path giving easy access to some of the best views on the North Cornwall coast.
The ‘Obby ‘Oss festival is probably the best known of Padstow’s annual events. Held on May Day, this is an ancient celebration and one of the oldest May Day traditions in Europe. The celebration starts at midnight with singing around the town and during the day accordions and drums accompany the ‘Old Oss’ and ‘Blue Ribbon’ around the town. The whole event continues until the following midnight and is a truly memorable experience.
Other attractions in the region include the award-winning Eden Project, which is only a short drive from Padstow, and Prideaux Place, a grand manor house surrounded by the oldest deer park in Britain. Along the coast are caves once used by smugglers and further down the coast is the surfing capital of the UK, Newquay’s Fistral Beach.
There is plenty to see and do in this part of the