Cornwall Attractions

The small town of Padstow (Cornish: Lannwedhenek)
seems to have become very popular in recent years.
The town is situated on the west bank of the River
Camel estuary approximately five miles northwest of
Wadebridge and ten miles northeast of Newquay.

Padstow was originally named Petroc-stow,
Petroc-stowe, or 'Petrock's Place', after the Welsh
missionary Saint Petroc, who landed at Trebetherick
around AD 500. After his death a monastery was established here which was of great importance until the town was raided by the Vikings in 981 (the Vikings laid waste "Petroces stow" (probably Padstow) according to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle). Either as a result of this attack or later the monks moved inland to Bodmin, taking the relics of St Petroc with them.

During the mid-nineteenth century, ships carrying timber from Canada (particularly Quebec City) would arrive at Padstow and offer cheap travel to passengers wishing to emigrate. Shipbuilders in the area would also benefit from the quality of their cargoes.

Traditionally a fishing port, Padstow is now a popular tourist destination. Although some of its former fishing fleet remains, it is mainly a yachting haven on a dramatic coastline with few easily navigable harbours. The influence of restaurateur Rick Stein can be seen in the port, and tourists travel from long distances to eat at his restaurant or cafés.

However, the boom in the popularity of the port has caused
house price inflation both in the port and surrounding areas.
This has meant significant numbers of locals cannot afford to
buy property of their own now, with prices often well over
10 times the average salary of around £15,000

Click here to view a map of Padstow and all the local
visitor attractions.