Cowan
46742.4 miles W of Padstow | Sleeps 6 + cot*
10% off for parties of 4 + cot or less and 20% off for parties of 2 + cot or less at certain times of the year, view offer...
7 Nights from £741
The location of attractions is intended only as a guide. Distances are 'as the crow flies'.
Nearby pub
Set in gorgeous grounds and with distant sea views, The Pig is a charming historic house with a beautiful restaurant and a characterful bar. The gardens are fabulous and there's outside seating for al fresco dining in summer.
Nearby beach
Over half a mile of sand, backed by dunes and cliffs. Great for swimming, surfing and sunbathing, with some good cliff walks. Close to car park, toilets, cafe, shop and pub.
July 2009
Harlyn Bay
This area is stunning. We stayed for the weekend at Harlyn Sands holiday park and walked the coast path (about 20 mins) to the nearest pub. Fantastic in the sun, although I'd imagine not much fun in the rain. The beach, water and cliffs are just amazing. Really worth a visit.
Nearby walk
Take a walk with Kate, a local photographer and enjoy stunning scenery whilst improving your camera skills. Walks take place in the Padstow area and can be tailored to individual requirements.
Nearby town
This is a historic harbour town on the north coast of Cornwall, with plenty of things to do and see so holidays in Padstow are always a popular choice. As a result, Padstow cottages do book up fast so get in quick.
Holidays in Padstow are well placed for exploring by any means of transport - easily accessible by car, lots of boat moorings, or set off along the South West Coast Path by foot. If walking is your thing, you can also enjoy The Saint’s Way which takes you from the town down to Fowey on the south coast. Otherwise the Camel Trail cycleway is set along the site of a former railway line, is disabled access friendly and perfect for dog walking or horse riding too.
It’s medieval history means deep rooted traditions of local culture, played out in the form of annual festivals such as ‘Obby ‘Oss and Mummers’, or ‘Darkie’, Day. ‘Obby ‘Oss is a May fertility festival involving the obligatory maypole and dancing in the streets whereas Mummers’ is an ancient midwinter’s celebration held on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
Nowadays, Padstow is known as a foodie Mecca with an eclectic mix of high quality restaurants popping up around the harbour. Padstow is often referred to as ‘Pad-Stein’ due to the prolific influence of celebrity chef Rick Stein on the town. Seafood is of course pride of place on any dining table here, but you may prefer to takeaway fish and chips and sit in the garden of your Padstow holiday cottage.
October 2012
Culinary mixed bag
Padstow seems to be a real culinary mix - we had one of the best meals we've ever had at Paul Ainsworth at Number 6 (he's just been awarded a Michelin star) and one of the worst fish and chips ever at The Old Custom House.
Highly recommend you avoid The Old Custom House.
Paul Ainsworth at Number 6 on the other hand is a fabulous dining experience.
July 2008
Did I miss the point?
I had great expectations but was somewhat disappointed by Padstow. We went out of season for lunch and a mooch around the shops, but although there was one shop that caught my imagination, we weren't inspired and ended up driving to St Mawes for a pub lunch instead!
Also nearby
The Camel Trail is a 19 mile route that follows the beautiful Camel River from Padstow, where it joins the sea in a wide estuary, to Poley’s Bridge inland, where it is merely a stream running through woodland. En-route at Nanstallon you will also find the Camel Trail Tea Rooms. Bikes are for hire from either Padstow or Wadebridge and it's a brilliant area for bird watching. Visit Wenfordbridge in spring and delight in the profusion of daffodils, snowdrops and primroses.
October 2021
Atlantic Coast Express Buffet Car
The Camel Trail is brilliant for cycling or walking but whatever you are doing, make sure you stop by the Atlantic Coast Express Buffet Car, which is located by an old quarry site, halfway between Padstow and Wadebridge. The owners have lovingly converted an old railway carriage into a brilliant buffet stop. The best coffee, cakes, ice cream and other snacks you'll ever have! Not open Fridays - but everyone needs a day off!
July 2021
Good cycling by the river
Bodmin to Wadebridge leafy and easy to travel on dedicated path. Access to Camel valley vineyard. Have to use bike lanes on roads to cross Wadebridge. Several bike hire spots in Wadebridge, cycle path to Padstow is much busier and needs more care. Couple of coffee stops on trail nearer Padstow.
April 2012
Wadebridge to Padstow
The Wadebridge to Padstow section of the trail is about 6 miles. Whilst you can hire bikes easily in Wadebridge the largely flat walk, which would be possible with a pushchair, makes a lovely walk. New views open up as the Camel twists and turns and the slower pace means you can spot the wildlife en route. Set off after breakfast and you will be in Padstow for lunch. A bus to Wadebrdge leaves Padstow from the old railway station on the half hour and will take you back in about 20 minutes.
August 2011
Wonderful off road cycling venue, undisturbed with beautiful views and mostly flat easy cycling.
August 2011
Tranquil Trail
The four mile Helland to Bodmin section of the Camel Trail is much quieter than the Wadebridge to Padstow section. Park for free at Helland and follow the trail through peaceful woodland catching tantalising glimpses of the river through the canopy of trees. Wildlife abounds in this tranquil spot. Before leaving Helland go and have a look at the medieval Helland Bridge which spans the upper reaches of the River Camel.
August 2008
The Camel Trail
The trail is best explored from the Pooley Bridge end which is just 2 1/2 miles from daydream cottage. Shell woods are great in the autumn and cool and shaded during the summer. Wonderful for picnics by the fast flowing river.
This 15th Century village pub was once home to the masons and craftsmen who constructed the nearby church of St James the Great. Today, you will find a welcoming bar and restaurant, with blazing fire in the winter, and a large beer garden for those balmy Cornish summer evenings. Look out for the resident ghost.
July 2023
Great Meal
Lovely quaint country pub with excellent menu, our food was excellent, great service and we would definitely go again.
September 2022
Trying to be something it's not
Lovely traditional pub but not serving traditional pub food.
Expensive and menu more suited to city restaurant.
July 2022
Hot day
Lovely sheltered garden under trees.
May 2022
Excellent pub
The food was very good and the staff friendly and efficient. It is in the middle of the country so you need a car to get there. You need to book to be sure to get a place.
October 2021
Fantastic Dinner
We went to the St Kew for dinner, and what a dinner! Lovely atmospheric rabbit warren of a building, warm and smokey (check the menu!). Food and drink were both excellent, and the staff friendly and helpful
June 2021
Sue
Due to COVID, we booked the St Kew Inn well in advance of our stay at the Carriage House.
The pub is within walking distance from the Carriage house, down hill all the way, but consequently up hill all the way back!
The food was delicious, service extremely good, and a bonus for us was meeting our waitress, Faye, who happily gave us some suggestions as to what to do whilst visiting Cornwall. The first was to cycle the Camel trail from Wadebridge to Padstow. It was a truly stunning way to visit Padstow. And on our second visit to the pub Faye suggested we could visit Charlestown. Again, we are so grateful for that advice. We wouldn’t have experienced either had it not been for Faye.
The ‘fish of the day’ was well worth it too!
We felt very safe, and all the measures to ensure that guests met the government guidance were in place. Thank you to all at the St Kew Inn.
May 2021
Hidden Gem
We had two meals at St Kew Inn whilst on holiday in Cornwall and thoroughly enjoyed both meals. The service was attentive but not intrusive, the food was absolutely delicious and there is a good choice to choose from. Good beers and good prices too, if we go back to Cornwall we will definitely be booking a meal at St Kew Inn.
October 2020
St Kew Inn
Excellent food and friendly service to our party of six. Would recommend fish meal of the day.
October 2020
P Boorman
excellent food very friendly staff
January 2020
Very good food
Lovely food. Service was a little slow at lunchtime but they were aware of this, apologised and tried to resolve.
August 2019
So good we visited twice
Superb food, varied menu, good service. We were a group with 4 vegans and 2 carnivores and we all thought this Inn was top notch.
July 2019
A must visit
Fantastic pub, great menu for veggies, beautiful garden and loads of space
May 2019
Excellent Food
The St Kew Inn does excellent food. It is not cheap but very good value for money. My wife said that the hake she had one evening was the best fish she had tasted for many years - cooked to perfection. You need to book early to get a table in the restaurant, but can also take pot luck in the bar where the tables are not reserved. The staff are very friendly and helpful.
May 2017
Best pub in the arae
Excellent pub food. Best in the area. Good real ale and great pub food consistent performance and very popular so need to book in season.
September 2012
idyllic country pub
A warm welcome and helpful staff. The food was great - the haddock kedgeree was worth the trip alone.
June 2009
Great country pub
Great atmosphere and food. Nice seating inside and outdoor summer barbeque.
February 2009
Beautiful and Atmospheric
Picturesque 15th Century village pub serving beer from wooden barrels and excellent homecooked food prepared to order by hosts Paul Ripley and Sarah Allen. One of the most beautiful and atmospheric pubs in Cornwall.
- Mr and Mrs Whitten
Located overlooking the Camel Estuary and open for lunch and dinner. Reservations are required to dine upstairs but you can walk in and eat downstairs or outside.
September 2024
Excellent anniversary meal
Beautiful pub in a fantastic location
Food was exceptional and the staff are friendly and attentive.
Highly recommend a visit
June 2022
Fantastic, not to be missed.
We went to the Mariners last evening, much much better than any of the reviews on another well known review site. Food was excellent and for me to drink really good beer without being frowned on in a restaurant was a total winner. Wine was very nice and doesn't have to be overly expensive. Make sure you book a taxi! MJ Taxis are great very reliable.
April 2022
Pub
Excellent but the nearest pub is the Fourways just up the road, very pleasant staff.
August 2019
Sunday Lunch, Fish and Chips
This place is well worth a visit or two. The staff are welcoming and service is excellent. The food is superb, we are still talking about it!
October 2017
The Mariners
Excellent menu & food.Friendly helpful staff
A beach cafe in the most rustic sense - a beachside shed with some outdoor seating. It is a National Trust-owned hut, but run by a local couple who provide 'Feast Nights' - now made famous by their appearance on ITV's 'Cornwall with Caroline Quentin'. You need to buy tickets, but the hut is generally open to everyone, except during the winter, so check times on their Web site.
June 2024
What a gem
Found this on our 2nd visit to the beach as so well hidden. Great quality interesting food and drink. A proper oasis
June 2024
Hidden Hut
This truly is a hidden gem
October 2023
Hidden hut
After a short walk along the coast, perfect place to eat overlooking the sea, great food choices and they're delicious.
October 2023
Pasties!
Walked the short distance from Gerrans to here and enjoyed a pasty in the sun looking out to sea. Yummy!
September 2023
Madelaine
Amazing location!!
Even more amazing food… wow! The best Cornish pasty, and curry, with flat bread, all homemade!!!
Must make a visit
September 2023
Love it!
Great location, food excellent, friendly and welcoming.
April 2023
Lovely food.
Locally cooked food a must if you are visiting this beach.
September 2022
Beware under-cooked brownies
Stomach upset after a coffee and undercooked brownie at the Hidden Hut in June.
August 2022
Over priced
Expensive, long queues, not very friendly. take your own refreshments or buy from friendly shop in Portscatho
August 2022
Best Tomato soup ever tested
Wow what a place! Nestled behind the beach and within walking distance. Absolutely amazing food, the menu is mouthwatering! Don’t be put off by the queues, service is very quick. We had the tomato soup and it was ‘the best tomato’s soup ever tasted’ ! Such amazing flavours! Definitely worth a visit! Beautiful views too! Well done the hidden hut and keep up the good work!
June 2022
A lovely experience
We can now see why this place is so popular! The service is excellent very friendly staff who take a minute to ask you about your visit while serving you. The food is beautifly cooked all be it presented in a takeaway box or cup the taste is incredible. My husband opted for the smoked beef chilli I had the Dahl served with flat bread both delicious. It was towards the end of our holiday otherwise we would have had lunch there every day.
March 2022
visited in March
Windy, sunny and busyish. Interesting changing lunch menu which comes in cartons you can take away or eat on site. Also usual snacks and drinks. No need to book in March.
October 2021
Hidden Gem
Lovely little walk from the car park where you come across some steps, if you then take the steps immediately going up you then come across the stunning Hidden Hut, where the food is fantastic, may be a little pricey, but so worth it, especially sitting on the benches
October 2021
Amazing
We visited the Hidden Hut whilst on holiday last week. Gorgeous food. We had the watercress soup which was scrumptious. Really recommend a visit.
October 2020
Hidden
What a surprise . Very popular so be prepared to queue but you can enjoy the view of Porthcurnick beach and headland.
Excellent customer service.
September 2020
Very interesting
Worth a little walk.
Very enterprising!
November 2019
A little gem
What a wonderful beachside find. It is super popular now so expect to queue, but it's is completely worth it with exceptional food, and a great beachside location. You won't regret a day out here. Check the website for opening times/days.
September 2019
Great food overlooking the beach
Not just another beach front cafe. This place is possibly the best beach cafe/restaurant going. Great food and atmosphere. Really hits the spot. You will not be disappointed and worth the effort.
August 2019
Mrs Jarvis
Really fantastic food, great service (despite the length of the queue). You must visit!
June 2019
Perfect situation and great food
If you didn’t already know it, this a now a justly famous spit just above a lovely Cornish beach.
Splendid food - some fusion inspired and some more typical local Cornish. Great atmosphere. Also they have now a great Hidden Hut cookbook. Such a happy mix of photos and recipes!
April 2019
lush nosh
definitely recommend for a yummy beachside lunch
August 2017
Being relatively local to the area, we felt it was time to see if this often-mentioned beach cafe lived up to it's reputation....and it did! On a sunny August Sunday, the beach was busy and so was the Hidden Hut. Be prepared to queue - for quite a while - but once you've selected which of the mouthwatering options to go for, you've plenty of choice of places to sit and enjoy the really well cooked food and the amazing location. No doubt this will be the first of many visits to come!
November 2016
Wonderful location
Perfect for coffee and cake, overlooking Porthcurnick beach.
November 2016
Stunning place for a delicious lunch! Pricey but great quality. Locally sourced and freshly made. Busy on Bank holidays but worth the queue. Soups are always fabulous as are the pasties, pulled pork baps and sausage rolls. We were lucky enough to get tickets for a feast night once and it was a most memorable and special event. Check out their Facebook page https://en-gb.facebook.com/thehiddenhut/
Said to be the stepping stones of a giant, the Bedruthan Steps are a series of rock formations soaring from the sea along Cornwall's north coast. Just a few miles from Padstow, the sea stacks are best viewed from the cliffs above Bedruthan beach. Park in the National Trust car park and take a short walk to be treated to spectacular views. The Bedruthan Steps are a sight to behold all throughout the year.
October 2022
Steps no longer there
Great walks along the cliffs and lovely views of the beaches below.
June 2012
We were there in early season and there were very few people on the beach: it felt really wild and pristine. The best time to visit is shortly before low tide, when access to the various parts of the beach is easiest.
Beware: there are 150 (steep) steps going down, but at least double that number coming back up!
April 2012
Best cream tea
Walk along the cliffs above Bedruthan steps for stunning views and crashing waves. If the tide is right you can add a walk along the dramatic sandy beach. The tearoom at the National Trust car park at Carnewas served the best cream tea of our holiday - fresh, melt in your mouth scones. Yummy! If you are an NT member the parking is free and right at the cliff edge for starting your walk.
August 2011
Bedruthan Steps
Probably the most fantastic sandy beach I've been on. Amazing and well worth the climb down. I have Fibromyalgia, a painful muscle/joint condition, but I could not resist going down onto this beach and I was very glad I did. It was overcast when we started the descent but the sun came out for a while. I would imagine the beach would be like paradise on a warm sunny day as it was when overcast!!! There wasn't many people on the beach which added to the feel. Lots of warm pools everywhere, beautiful rocks and little caves. Dramatic and wild. My husband, 21 yr old son and 2 teenage daughters loved it. We had a snack in the lovely tea room at the top that had an extensive menu for such a small cafe and lovely coffee. Really enjoyed the day. It was worth the pain of coming back up, but I did so slowly in my own time. I would definately do it again. It would be very hard for anyone more disabled than me though.
June 2011
Dramatic and beautiful
We visited Bedruthan Steps on a windy and overcast day, parking at the National Trust carpark and following the paths across the heathland to the clifftop. Our 3yr old daughter was just entranced by the rocks and swore that she saw a mermaid...
As the tide was in we didn't climb down the steps, and wouldn't have attempted it with our daughter, but just seeing the amazing rocks and cliffs from the viewing spots at the cliffedge was enough.
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