Padstow

Padstow is a gorgeous fishing town on the Camel Estuary that's become Cornwall's food capital, largely thanks to Rick Stein, who opened his Seafood Restaurant here in 1975. The harbour is beautiful — working fishing boats, crab pots stacked on the quayside, and pastel-coloured houses rising behind. Despite the Stein empire and the summer crowds, it remains a proper working port. Beyond the restaurants, Padstow has excellent independent shops, galleries, and the National Lobster Hatchery, where you can learn about (and handle) the local lobsters. The harbour ferry across to Rock is a fun trip — Rock is the posh beach resort across the estuary with Daymer Bay and Polzeath beyond. The Camel Trail starts here — a flat, easy cycle path following the old railway line along the estuary to Wadebridge and on to Bodmin. Bike hire is available in town. The Saints Way walking route also passes through. In May, the town goes properly wild for 'Obby 'Oss Day — a May Day tradition involving two hobby horses, drums, and the entire town singing and dancing through the streets. It's brilliant and a bit unhinged.