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All you need to know
If you’re looking for a break from the hustle and bustle of normal life, a holiday in St Merryn is guaranteed to provide you with exactly that. With striking limestone cliff faces, seven golden, sandy bays and an iconic Victorian lighthouse, you’ll soon fall in love with the gorgeous scenery and pace of life.
Nestled on Cornwall’s northern coastline, two and a half miles west of Padstow, St Merryn welcomes holiday-makers and wildlife-lovers. The aqua-blue ocean lines golden beaches, and glistening rock-pools filled with colourful crabs for you to easily spend days pootling with a bucket and spade. Or, laze with a good book on the beach with a picnic to nibble.
Holidays in St Merryn aren’t just about the beach. The village has so much more to offer. The area is teeming with a rich history that dates back to 650 AD when the village adopted its namesake after a Welsh missionary priest. Visit the Victorian lighthouse at Trevose Head, and pop into the RNLI lifeboat station which is open to the public on weekdays. Children and adults alike will love learning about the exhilarating sea rescues.
Take the time to explore the picturesque countryside that surrounds St Merryn. Enjoy a day or two to walk the South West Coast Path for superb sights over the clifftops. Of the seven beautiful swimming bays surrounding St Merryn, five beaches allow dogs all year round, so you won’t need to leave your four-legged friend behind. If you’re up for an adventure on horseback, local providers offer accompanied hacks and gentle walks through the countryside and peaceful lanes.
A holiday to St Merryn wouldn’t be complete without taking a trip to nearby Harlyn Bay and renting a surfboard for a couple of hours. Located in North Cornwall, the waves here are some of the best in the country! Whether you’re a surfing beginner needing lessons or a seasoned pro, staff at the surf school will help you enjoy a wonderful experience you won’t forget. There are plenty of other exciting water sports as well, such as stand up paddle boarding, coasteering and kayaking.
Outstanding cliff top walks, sandy beaches, amazing waves and pretty countryside makes holidays in St Merryn a wonderful destination to relax, unwind and recharge.
Designed by Harry Colt, Trevose Golf Course ranks as one of the UK’s top links golf courses offering a choice of 3 courses in spectacular surroundings. Visitors of all levels are made to feel most welcome.
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The National Lobster Hatchery is a unique organisation whose work in conservation, research and education separates them because they work specifically with a commercial species. A charity based in Padstow, their work helps to make lobster sustainable in the UK, as the species alone is worth an estimated £30m a year. Both the Scandinavian and Mediterranean stocks have completely collapsed, so the hatchery aims to ensure global food security for future generations by facilitating the survival rate of eggs in the wild. When you visit you can learn all about their work and support conservation. They are open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10.15am, but opening times are seasonal so keep an eye on the website. Prices are £12 for adults or £6 for children.
Located on the beautiful Camel Estuary in Rock. Camel Ski offers a range of activities for all ages from inflatable rides, wake boarding, paddle boarding, wake surfing, kayaking and water skiing. They offer lessons for all ages to learn to water-ski or wake board. Male and female changing facilities are available with access to hot showers, along with all the equipment you will need provided. There is also a small après Ski café on site.
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Ranked 99th best course in the world by Golf Digest magazine, and 15th in England by Golf World, St Enodoc Golf Club has a reputation as one of the finest links golf courses in the South West of England, with its undulating fairways, firm greens, some blind shots and the added bonus of beautiful sea and estuary views. The club sits on the North Cornwall coast overlooking the Camel Estuary with Padstow on the far side, and it has two courses; the Church Championship course, and the shorter Holywell course which is ideal for those wanting slightly less of a challenge but which still features some typical links terrain. The club has a bar, lounge and dining room available, and green fees start at £45 for the Church course and £25 for the Holywell course in the low season.
Conveniently placed a few miles from Padstow and near some great beaches, the Farmers Arms is a great choice for a drink or meal after a fun packed day out. Here you’ll find a friendly public bar and restaurant and the kids will be kept happy in a new children’s play area. The restaurant serves a menu full of well cooked pub classics along with a carvery every Sunday.
The Farmers Arms, St Merryn, Padstow PL28 8NP (T: 01841 520303)
Quality locally source food paired with world class wines and super friendly service make this a great choice for a meal out with friends or family. Regular live music nights add to the atmosphere.
Rafferty’s Café & Wine Bar, St Merryn, Padstow PL28 8NA (T: 01841 531112)
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Part of Rick Steins group of eateries, the pretty Cornish Arms in St Merryn is a relaxed, family friendly affair with plenty of seating indoors and a huge beer garden. A popular, bustling, traditional pub serving a selection of well cooked pub classics using the best local Cornish ingredients. Definitely worth booking especially in the summer months.
The Cornish Arms, Churchtown, St Merryn, Padstow PL28 8ND (T: 01841 520288)
We visited several times, fab service, friendly staff and great food
May 2024
What an amazing, friendly, professional restaurant and bar! Every member of staff was attentive and friendly. The food was fantastic!
August 2023
THE PIG -at Harlyn Bay has far-reaching sea views, oodles of quirks and stacks of original features. Just a short stroll from Harlyn and Constantine Bay beaches, with an obsessive commitment to home grown produce and a serious love of all-things local, well worth a visit.
The Pig, Harlyn, Padstow PL28 8SQ. Tel: 03452259494
The Pig at Harlyn is located in one of Cornwall’s most historic houses, dating back to the 15th Century. This chain of hotels is famous for its unique and sustainable approach to food, with a commitment to home grown produce and all things local. Their 25-mile menu is designed to support local farmers and producers who supply anything that can’t be grown on site. When the sun is shining, sit at the outdoor dining terrace and dig into delicious fresh seafood at The Lobster Shed, serving food from 12 noon (bookings are weather dependent). Dogs are welcome around the grounds and if you book a table at The Lobster Shed.
The Pig at Harlyn Bay, Harlyn Bay, Padstow, PL28 8SQ (T: 0345 225 9494)
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With a reputation as one of the best surfing beaches in Cornwall, Constantine Bay beach offers a long stretch of pale sands and top quality waves. Signs warn of strong undercurrents and hidden rocks so it is warned to take caution when swimming. There is rock pools to the left and sand dunes to the right and gentle headland walks in either direction. The beach is accessed via a short sloping path from the carpark and dogs are allowed all year round.
worth a visit and worth a visit more
July 2022