Padstow

Celebrity chef Rick Stein put this Cornish fishing port firmly on the culinary map, but Padstow's charm runs deeper than its famous restaurants. The narrow medieval streets wind down to a working harbour where fishing boats still bring in their daily catch, while tourists queue for crab sandwiches and Cornish pasties.

St Petroc's Church dominates the old town, its Norman tower watching over centuries of maritime history. The ancient Celtic Cross nearby tells tales of even earlier settlers. Down by the water, The Rec nature reserve offers quieter moments away from the crowds - proper bird watching territory with views across the Camel Estuary.

Padstow sits at the mouth of the River Camel, where the estuary meets the Atlantic. Rock lies just across the water - a short ferry hop that's part of the local experience. The Camel Trail, Cornwall's most popular cycle path, starts right here and follows the old railway line inland through wooded valleys.

Getting here means navigating Cornwall's famously narrow lanes, though the A39 brings you close before the final approach. It's about 30 miles from Newquay, the nearest major transport hub. The town car parks fill up fast in summer, so arriving early or late in the day is wise.

Staying at one of the nearby holiday parks makes perfect sense. You're close enough to stroll into town for dinner at Stein's empire or sample a pint at Padstow Brewing Company, yet far enough out to escape the daytime crowds. Several parks dot the coast between Padstow and Newquay, putting you within striking distance of both destinations while giving you easy access to some of Cornwall's finest coastal walking.