Come rain or shine and no matter what age or ability, a holiday in St Merryn offers something for everyone. The following list of activities and distractions are a few examples of what the area has to offer our guests. From Surfing to Cycling or Fish and Chips to Fine Cuisine, discover the very best that Cornwall has to offer.
Things to do & See
Surfing
Surfing at Harlyn Bay is fantastic for all levels whether you are a first timer or an avid fan. There are several good breaks along the north coast but Harlyn Bay offers so much to so many. Local surfers enjoy the great waves and can be seen surfing in all seasons. At the same time, the beach is safe and the currents are less intimidating than other beaches like Constantine or Trevone, allowing for
enthusiastic first timers to experience the thrill of catching their first ride. Surfing is great fun and quickly becomes addictive and there are many surf schools available for those who want to hone their skills allowing for enthusiastic first timers to experience the thrill of riding their first wave in safe water.
or if the surf’s gone flat, try the Flowrider at Retallick Resort
Golf
Trevose Golf Cub offers the best links course in Cornwall and is only two miles away from Harlyn Bay. The Championship course at Trevose Golf Club is the perfect place to enjoy a round of golf or to hit some balls at the driving range. Constantine and Booby’s Bay make for a dramatic backdrop for any round of golf. For those looking for a less challenging golfing experience, Padstow has a crazy golf course with panoramic views across the Camel Estuary, which is great fun for kids and adults alike.
Horse Riding
If you prefer to enjoy something altogether different from surfing and golf, then maybe horse-riding is for you. Several stables in the area offer both short or long lessons for a range of ages and abilities.
Dining Out
While the accommodation at Cowries is self-catering, for those wishing to have a night off, North Cornwall has a plethora of fantastic and famous restaurants on offer, including restaurants owned by Rick Stein in Padstow.
Padstow houses many of Rick Stein’s offerings including a seafood school, delicatessen, patisserie, café, fish and chip shop and seafood restaurants. For those that wish to indulge in some local fish and chips, Fryer Tucks can be found just one mile up the road in St Merryn and offers tasty locally caught fish of all types.
For those wishing to enjoy more delights from the Rick Stein stable, The Cornish Arms in St Merryn is reasonably priced and offers a great menu of locally sourced cuisine in a casual pub atmosphere. There are a multitude of great restaurants in Padstow, including St Petroc’s, the Seafood Restaurant, Margot’s and Nathan Outlaw’s Seafood and Grill in Rock.
Walking
Explore the outstanding Cornish coastline by stepping out your front door, we are just yards from the south west coastal path, which is widely regarded as the jewel in the crown of all walking trails in the United Kingdom. For a wonderful day out, take the ferry from Padstow to Rock and follow the Camel Estuary to its mouth via the sand dunes and beaches or by walking along the low cliffs. Traverse across Polzeath Beach and follow the cliff to Pentyre Point – on a sunny day you can enjoy the unspoiled beauty of the surf breaking at Polzeath, the Estuary snaking up towards Padstow and the unique beaches to the west of the Estuary, sheltered by Stepper Point.
Cycling
When the sand and sea isn’t enough our most energetic guests like to let off some steam on a good cycle ride. The most rewarding place to do this is along the Camel Trail cycle path between Padstow and Wadebridge. Cycle hire is available for all ages and abilities. Padstow Cycle Hire offers a variety of bikes for all shapes and sizes, including tandems for adventurous couples. The route takes you to Wadebridge and can be done in 30—45 minutes but for those wishing to burn off extra calories the trail extends as far as Bodmin. We can recommend The Camel Trail Tea Garden, a quaint Cornish garden cafe that annexes the cycle path, offering a perfect excuse to stop and enjoy a cream tea or refreshing glass of Cornish cider, before you continue further or return to Padstow.
Fishing & Sailing
Padstow and Rock offer a great range of options when it comes to fishing and watersports. Whether you would like to take the kids on a Mackerel fishing trip or take on something bigger in the form of sharkfishing off the coast, its all possible from Padstow. Equally, you can take a thrilling speedboat trip around The Camel Estuary or a boat cruise around ‘Puffin Island’. Rock (just across the estuary from Padstow) offers a diverse range of sailing and water sports, whether you are looking for half a day in a Laser II or a bit of fun riding around on an inflatable banana!
Pampering
After all that outdoor exercise and local cuisine, why not treat yourself to a relaxing spa treatment from one of the many spas in the local area. Whether just for an hour’s massage or a day’s escape, find what you need locally:
The Location
St Merryn - A little village with a lot of coastline
The pretty village of St Merryn on Cornwall’s north coast is ideally located for access to seven beautiful beaches and bays, one for every day of the week!
Padstow - Charming Fishing Port with Famous chefs
This fantastic holiday destination is popular with foodies and walkers alike. The bustling working harbour is surrounded by gift shops, galleries and a whole host of restaurants.
Connect With Us
You can contact us by phone, email, enquiry form or social media messages. These are available during office hours or you can leave a message and we’ll get back to you.
Address
Cowries, 19 Fairfield, St Merryn,
Padstow, Cornwall PL28 8FQ
Phone: 01841 721070
Email: contact@cowriesstmerryn.co.uk