Padstow, town, civil parish and fishing port on the north coast of Cornwall, England
Padstow is a small town on Cornwall's coast with an active harbor filled with fishing boats and pleasure vessels. Stone buildings line narrow streets full of cafes and restaurants, while the water and maritime activity shape the character of the place.
Padstow traces its roots to Saint Petroc in the 6th century, from whom it takes its name. A stone pier was built in the 1500s, marking the start of its development as a major fishing port that served ships and fishing families for centuries.
The name Padstow comes from Saint Petroc, to whom the town's origins are traced. The narrow streets and harbor-front spaces show how fishing families shaped daily life here, with boats and fresh catch still central to how locals and visitors experience the place.
Padstow is easy to reach by car via the A303 and A30, or by train from Bodmin Parkway, with several car parks near the town center that are within walking distance of the harbor. Narrow streets and pedestrian areas mean walking is the best way to explore once you arrive.
At the harbor entrance lies the Doom Bar, a dangerous sandbank where countless ships have wrecked over the centuries. Local legend tells of a mermaid who cursed the place after a sailor harmed her, and sailors still treat it with caution today.
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