Local Area Guide

Explore North Cornwall

Everything you need to know about the beautiful area around Seaside Cottage — from hidden coves to the best seafood.

🏖️
Hidden cove
10 min walk
🦀
Padstow
12 min drive
🌊
Watergate Bay
20 min drive
🚲
Camel Trail
15 min drive

Beaches & Coves

Our hidden cove (10 min walk)

A quiet, sheltered beach perfect for swimming and rock pooling. Gets busy at weekends in summer but is usually peaceful mid-week. Great for dogs too.

→ Tide times matter here — check before swimming

Watergate Bay (20 min)

Long sandy beach with excellent surf school and the famous Watergate Bay Hotel. Beautiful walks along the coast path. Good café and parking.

Newquay beaches (18 min)

Fistral, Tolcarne and Great Western are all within easy reach. Fistral is the famous surf beach — great for watching or having a go yourself.

Padstow & Daymer Bay (12–15 min)

Padstow has a lovely harbour beach. Daymer Bay is more sheltered and excellent for families with younger children. Both have plenty of parking.

Food & Drink

Seafood

  • • The Seafood Restaurant, Padstow (Rick Stein)
  • • Paul Ainsworth at No. 6, Padstow
  • • Fresh crab and lobster from the harbour

Casual & Pubs

  • • The Golden Lion, Padstow
  • • The Shipwrights, Padstow
  • • Beach hut cafés at Watergate Bay

Local produce

  • • Padstow Farm Shop (excellent pasties & cream teas)
  • • Trevose Farm Shop (near the cottage)
  • • Newquay farmers’ market (Fridays)

Walks, Cycling & Activities

Coastal Path right outside

The South West Coast Path runs directly past the cottage. Turn left for dramatic cliffs and hidden coves, or right towards Padstow. Some of the best views in Cornwall.

→ Easy 2-mile loop to the cove and back

Camel Trail (15 min drive)

Flat, traffic-free cycle and walking path along the old railway line from Padstow to Wadebridge and beyond. Bike hire available in Padstow. Perfect for all ages and abilities.

Surfing

Watergate Bay and Fistral have excellent surf schools with wetsuit and board hire. Even beginners can stand up on their first lesson. Great fun for families.

Boat trips & wildlife

Seal spotting trips from Padstow harbour, fishing charters, and even puffin cruises in season. The RSPB reserve at Chapel Porth is also worth a visit.

Practical Information

Getting Around

  • • Free parking at the cottage (2 spaces)
  • • Padstow has pay & display car parks
  • • Bus service to Newquay and Padstow from the main road (10 min walk)

Best Times to Visit

  • • Summer (June–Sept): warmest but busiest
  • • Spring & Autumn: quieter, great for walking
  • • Check tide times for the hidden cove (we can send you the link)

Shops & Supplies

  • • Co-op in Padstow (12 min) – good for basics
  • • Trevose Farm Shop (5 min) – fresh bread, milk, pasties
  • • Newquay has larger supermarkets (Tesco, Sainsbury’s)

Useful Numbers

  • • Minor injuries unit: Newquay (20 min)
  • • Main hospital: Truro (45 min)
  • • Emergency: 999 or 112

Need personal recommendations?

We’re happy to suggest the best spots for your interests — whether that’s the quietest beach, the best fish & chips, or a great walk with a pub at the end. Just ask when you book or during your stay.