The villages along the coastline to Padstow boast some of the most spectacular beaches in North Cornwall. St. Merryn’s slogan “7 bays for 7 days” illustrates the multitude of coves available.

Much of North Cornwall’s coastline has been designated an area of outstanding beauty. St Merryn has coined the phrase “ seven bays- for seven days , bearing testament to the excellent range of beaches which include: Porthcothan Bay, Treyarnon, Constantine Bay, Booby’s Bay, Mother Ivey’s Harlyn bay and Trevone, which are arguably some of the finest surfing and sandy beaches complemented by stunning cliff walks.

The first of the seven bays is at Trevone which sits above and around its popular, delightful sandy beach which attracts swimmers and surfers all year round, a small village located one and a half miles from Padstow. Dogs are not allowed on the main beach between Easter Day and 1st October and there is a beach shop, café and two large car parks.

Harlyn Bay, half a mile west has a fine, half-mile long stretch of sandy beach, perfect for swimming and surfing and is backed by dunes, low cliffs, and fields.

Mother Ivey’s Bay, on the other side of Cataclews Point, is small and secluded, with a steeply shelving beach. The greens and fairways of Trevose Golf and Country Club stretch back from the sands at Booby’s Bay which is a surfer’s favourite.

Moving south down the coast, the next beach is at Constantine Bay. Fringed by sand dunes, swimming, and year-round popular surfing facilities.

Treyarnon Bay is a narrow sandy beach with rocks on its northern side providing many rock pools and a large natural swimming pool.

A mile to the south is the seventh and final beach at Porthcothan Bay. Long and narrow, it is bordered by dramatic cliffs on both sides.  Porthcothan Beach, with its golden sands, dunes, cliffs and rock pools, is ideal for a family holiday or as a picnic spot. The gorse-covered cliffs between Bedruthan and Porthcothan are at their most beautiful in early summer.

St Merryn boasts a medieval church, Bronze and Iron Age settlements, holiday complexes, caravan parks and a golf course and country club. St Merryn has a post office, a filling station, several shops and a fish and chip shop with café. There are also several licensed restaurants and two pubs The Farmers Arms and The Cornish Arms.

Saints founded the parishes of St Issey and Little Petherick, and the Saints’ Way passes through the villages on its way to Fowey. The Saints’ Way Trail crosses mid-Cornwall from coast to coast. Public footpaths run along both sides of the creek to join the Camel Trail by the Iron Bridge on the outskirts of Padstow.  It covers approximately 30 miles/48 Km from the northern harbour town of Padstow to the southern port of Fowey. The route starts at Padstow harbour and heads south through Little Petherick, St Breock Downs and Lanivet, more information can be found here: Walking The Saints Way 

 

Trevose Head Lighthouse, Cornwall
Boats in Padstow Harbour in North Cornwall

Cornish Towns and Villages

When you have explored the coastline, why not visit one or two of the many interesting towns and villages in Cornwall, or sample one of Cornwall’s visitor attractions…   so much to see and do whilst self catering in North Cornwall, Padstow, Rock and the surrounding area!

The historic town of Padstow is a delight, with its fleet of fishing vessels, colourful buildings, and narrow streets. Historically Padstow was a very busy commercial fishing village. Today Padstow has a unique charm all of its own and offers a wide range of activities and great places to eat and drink to suit both the young and the young at heart throughout the year.

Whilst the former market town of Wadebridge offers more extensive shopping dining  facilities and a cinema. The coastal town of Newquay  benefits from a range of shopping  nightclubs and restaurants, Zoo and Boating lake.