I've been given a Doc Martin location tour and its booked for 4th September. I've been looking at sites around Padstow/Newquay areas, as we don't mind travelling to Port Isaac for the day out. Also want to go to Polperro for a day. I've looked at so many I'm boggle eyed!
Just wondering if there is a site anyone absolutely loves in that area? We are 2 caravans and a Motorhome travelling together. We have dogs but no kids and ideally we love a pub on site (my parents are in the Motorhome and not able to walk far). I had looked at Dennis Cove and Mother Ivey's Bay but still unsure. I don't know the area at all, as I haven't been since I was very little. Thankyou
Don't forget to leave a review of the campsites you have visited this year or last!
Just to complicate your choice .... Carnevas Holiday Park has a bar onsite, but I don't know how lively it will be in September.(the website says the bar is open till early September) But if one of you is willing to drive in an evening the pubs in Padstow (5 miles) might be more fun, or the Cornish Arms (half way to Padstow) is another possibility - it's part of the Rick Stein empire so the meals are pretty good and there's a range of beers from St Austell brewery.
There is Higher Harlyn Park at St. Merryn, which is about 2 miles from Padstow. There is a bar and restaurant on site, also a pub in St Merryn, a short walk from the site.
In the Newquay area, there is Hendra Holiday Park, which is a full facility site, bar and meals on site, swimming pool and evening entertainment. Very large, but very well run. If you are a member of the C&CC, look in Out & About, as some of their sections have rallies there.
There is also a site called Trewan Hall, near St Colomb Major. It is a delightful site, which offers something different in onsite activities. However, it is not within walking distance of the village.
Hope you find what you are looking for and enjoy your stay.
We also liked it at Little Winnick as we could walk to the coast and the site suited us. However these places are for families with no club houses or restaurants or entertainment, which is how we like it. It had a sister site up the road (I believe) which had an indoor pool that you can use.
cant comment on campsites, but i was stationed at RAF St Mawgan, just down the road for just on 5 years. Padstow was a beautiful place, small fishing village with some nice pubs and a couple of restaurants selling fish straight off the boat. i used to go down once a week on the motorbike with various girlfriends in tow for a nice fresh fish. the locals would always stop and chat and once they knew we were based there, the prices came down a bit.
fast forward 25 years and i decided to take my young family back.
oh dear.
since THAT celebrity chef moved in the cornishness of the place has been totally destroyed. during any school holiday or throughout summer the place is full of hooray henriettas from the home counties in riding boots that have never seen a horse and a distinct lack of chins. nearly every eatery has THAT name plastered all over it and those that dont charge as much as if they did. there is an art gallery there that sells nothing but pictures of cows. not even very good pictures and all the same cow. dont believe me?
there were no small supermarkets in the town center, yet i remember there being at least three. now that presents a problem for the locals. where do they get their food?
well.
after spending an hour trying to get a meal, (seems you even have to book in the cafe) i found a tiny little internet cafe tucked in beneath a staircase up to some holiday flats.
4 egg banjos and 4 hot chocolates later and we got chatting to the owner. i told him i was based down the road and commented on how the place had changed. he never had a nice word about the influx of visitors, as the local businesses rarely got to see any of the money. everyone flocked to HIS places and ignored the rest. i commented on the lack of supermarkets and asked where the locals shopped.
he just laughed and said "what locals". they have all been priced out of padstow, as nearly everything is now a holiday home.
Sorry you were disappointed with Padstow, but nowhere stays the same after 25 years, does it?
But go on Obby Oss Day -always 1st of May - and you will se the spirit of Padstow is still alive despite the changes. And you can eat and drink all day and every day at the Harbour Inn, home of the Blue Ribbon Oss. And shop at Tesco like everyone else.
But the beaches out by Harbour Cove by the old lifeboat slip are still as fine as anywhere . Come on down.
We also liked it at Little Winnick as we could walk to the coast and the site suited us. However these places are for families with no club houses or restaurants or entertainment, which is how we like it. It had a sister site up the road (I believe) which had an indoor pool that you can use.
Hiya, could you possibly leave site reviews for all to find a read when you get a chance please?
Quote: Originally posted by Berriow on 12/2/2018
Sorry you were disappointed with Padstow, but nowhere stays the same after 25 years, does it?
But go on Obby Oss Day -always 1st of May - and you will se the spirit of Padstow is still alive despite the changes. And you can eat and drink all day and every day at the Harbour Inn, home of the Blue Ribbon Oss. And shop at Tesco like everyone else.
no you are right, no where stays the same. but not all changes are for the better.....
obby oss is fantastic and i got to go 4 times in total.
and you can eat in a lot of places all day. but not if you cant get a table....
sorry, whilst i take on board your points, i find st ives less commercial.
Don't know if you have got booked yet but I'd like to recommend a site called Berryfields it is near Porthcothan about 5 miles from Padstow towards Newquay.
Best thing is it's cheap!! a few years ago we were paying about £14 per night for a non electric pitch 2 adults 1 child high season, mosts sites in Cornwall want at least double this.
PS dogs allowed.
Have fun.
------------- As I've told my psychiatrist, you can't have too many tents.
My favourite site in Cornwall is Mother Iveys Bay. Superb position with its own beach or a short walk to one of the best beaches in Cornwall at Harlyn Bay. Within 10 minutes walk also is Constantine Beach and Booby's Bay. If you like an hour's walk the start of the headland walk is on the coast path at the front of the site. Or park in Harlyn Bay Car Park and walk the coast path into Padstow and the amazing Camel Estuary.
It is not compulsory to buy overpriced fish and chips in Padstow, treat yourself to a great Cornish pasty and pint of Doombar on the
harbour side
------------- Mother Nature always wins in the end.
Ratty - the site reviews are on my to-do list. And I have started them for all sites I have visited. As I like to talk, they are quite detailed. When I'm next on the computer (not the tablet) I'll see if I can find them.
For Port Isaac you want to be on the other side of the river Camel, or its a long drive round. You can easily go to Padstow for the day via the ferry from Rock (which does have its share of hooray Henrys). The quieter end of the village has a tucked away site at Penmayne.
There is a site at Wadebridge called Little Bodieve, and another at St Minver called Gunvenna, that has been progressivly upgraded over the years.
Best eating is the Spiders web at Boscastle and the White Hart at St Teath.
Cliff walks anywhere from Rock to Daymer Bay to Polzeath to Lundy Bay to Port Quinn/Gaverne to Port Isaac - all outstanding.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Padstow and surrounding area
