Luxury holidays in Padstow, Wadebridge & Port Isaac

This part of North Cornwall offers a balance that is hard to replicate elsewhere - combining some of the county’s best beaches with a renowned food scene and a more relaxed, spacious setting.

Padstow brings energy and atmosphere, with its harbour, independent shops and restaurants creating a lively focal point, while Wadebridge offers a slower pace along the Camel Estuary, with easy access to both coast and countryside.

Port Isaac adds a different dimension altogether, with its narrow lanes, historic cottages and working harbour offering a sense of timeless Cornish character, now familiar to many as Port Wenn in TV series Doc Martin.

What makes the area particularly appealing is the variety within a relatively small area - from the surf and open coastline of the Seven Bays to sheltered estuary waters, scenic cycling routes and quieter rural landscapes just inland.

This stretch of coastline is home to some of North Cornwall’s most celebrated beaches, from sandy coves close to Padstow to the wider Seven Bays and the more rugged coastline around Port Isaac.

Close to Padstow, St George’s Cove, Harbour Cove and Tregirls Beach offer beautiful estuary-side sands with views across the Camel Estuary towards Rock and Daymer Bay.

The nearby Seven Bays offer a remarkable variety of sandy coves, surf beaches and sheltered swimming spots. Trevone Bay, close to many of our homes, is known for its sandy beach and natural sea swimming pool, while Harlyn Bay is a large, popular surfing beach with golden sands. Mother Ivey’s Bay offers a more secluded setting with calm, sheltered waters, while Booby’s Bay is known for its rugged beauty, rock pools and strong surf near Trevose Head.

Constantine Bay is one of the area’s best-known surfing beaches, with a wide stretch of sand and Atlantic-facing waves. Further along the coast, Treyarnon Bay offers rock pools and a natural tidal swimming pool, while Porthcothan Bay opens out into a vast, dune-backed shoreline.

Around Wadebridge and the Camel Estuary, Daymer Bay offers calmer, more sheltered waters, making it ideal for paddleboarding, swimming and relaxed family beach days.

Closer to Port Isaac, the coastline becomes more rugged and dramatic, with Port Gaverne offering a sheltered cove and traditional harbour feel, while smaller cliff-backed beaches and coves reveal a quieter side of North Cornwall.

Padstow is widely regarded as one of Cornwall’s leading foodie destinations, with a reputation built around exceptional seafood, seasonal produce and a strong collection of well-established restaurants.

At the heart of this is Rick Stein’s collection of restaurants, including The Seafood Restaurant, which helped establish Padstow’s reputation as a destination for seafood-led dining. Alongside this, Paul Ainsworth at No.6 offers a refined, Michelin-starred experience, while Prawn on the Lawn provides a more relaxed but equally celebrated take on fresh seafood in an intimate setting.

Around the harbour, you’ll also find a mix of cafés, bakeries and casual dining spots like Caffe Rojano and Sabzi’s Deli, all making the most of seasonal produce and the surrounding coastline.

Beyond Padstow, the wider area offers plenty for slower, more local food experiences. The St Kew Inn is a standout countryside pub, full of character and known for its seasonal food, while St Kew Farmshop and Padstow Farm Shop are ideal for local produce, deli treats and picnic supplies. 

In Port Isaac, Outlaw’s Fish Kitchen brings Nathan Outlaw’s celebrated seafood-led cooking to the harbour village, adding another refined dining option to the area’s already impressive food scene.

Padstow, Wadebridge and Port Isaac are ideally positioned for exploring the wider North Cornwall coastline, with a range of well-known destinations all within easy reach. Just across the Camel Estuary,

Rock offers a relaxed coastal setting with wide sandy beaches, watersports and views back towards Padstow, easily reached by foot ferry.

Further along the coast, Polzeath is known for its expansive beach and surf, while nearby coves and quieter stretches of coastline offer a more laid-back alternative.

Heading south, Newquay brings a livelier energy, with its well-known beaches, surf culture and coastal walks, while Watergate Bay offers a more open, expansive setting with a focus on beachside dining and watersports.

Closeby, Mawgan Porth provides a quieter contrast, with a broad sandy beach and a more relaxed atmosphere, ideal for slower days by the sea.

Whether you’re seeking surf, scenery or somewhere to unwind, the surrounding coastline offers a wide variety of experiences, all within easy reach.