Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Padstow Tourist Office
(
01841-533449;
www.padstowlive.com
;
North Quay;
10am-5pm Mon-Sat)
Getting There & Away
BUS
Bus 556
(hourly Monday to Saturday, four on Sunday) The most useful local bus runs
between Padstow and Newquay with stops including Trevone, Harlyn, St Merryn, Con-
stantine, Porthcothan, Bedruthan Steps, Newquay Airport, Watergate Bay and Porth.
Bus 555
(half-hourly Monday to Saturday, six on Sunday) Padstow to Bodmin via Little
Petherick, St Issey and Wadebridge.
BOAT
Black Tor Ferry
(
www.padstow-harbour.co.uk/phc_ferry.html
; adult/child return £3/2, bikes £3, dogs £1)
Runs
from Padstow to Rock year-round (pick-up/drop-off points depend on the tides). The first
ferry is at 7.50am year-round. The last ferry is at 7.30pm in mid-July and August; 6.30pm
June and September; 5.30pm April, May & October; and 4.30pm November to March.
Rock Water Taxi
(
07778-105297;
www.rock-watertaxi.com
;
adult/child single £5/3, return £7/4;
7am-mid-
night Easter-Oct)
The late-night option.
CAR
It's hard to find parking in Padstow in summer. There are two car parks along the har-
bourfront, plus a large car park at the top of town, from where it's a 10-minute walk
downhill.
WORTH A TRIP
BEDRUTHAN STEPS
South of Porthcothan, the B3276 coast road dips and rolls along a truly stirring stretch of coastline, surrounded by
green fields and edged by wild, plunging cliffs. About 2 miles south of Porthcothan loom the stately rock stacks
of
Bedruthan Steps
(Carnewas;
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/carnewas-and-bedruthan-steps
; East of Newquay),
sometimes known as Carnewas. These mighty granite pillars have been carved out by the relentless action of
thousands of years of wind and waves, and now make an ideal nesting spot for seabirds. The area is now owned
by the National Trust, who also run the large car park and a cafe. You can also camp here in August (adult/child
£7.50/4).
The beach itself is accessed via a steep staircase and is submerged at high tide. Towards the northern end is a
rocky shelf known as
Diggory's Island
, which separates the main beach from another little-known cove. At low
tide you can walk across from Bedruthan; otherwise you'll have to brave the crumbling Pentire Steps from the
coast path.
Further towards Newquay is the deep sandy scoop of
Mawgan Porth
, a great swimming and paddling beach
with lots of space. It's also home to Cornwall's top eco-chic hotel, The Scarlet (
Click here
)
, perched on the bluffs
above the beach.
