Discover Padstow with Chef Paul Ainsworth
The owner of Padstow Townhouse picks his favourite ways to explore the area
Acclaimed British chef Paul Ainsworth and owner of boutique hotel Padstow Townhouse has lived in Cornwall for 12 years. Opening the hotel with his wife Emma, Paul was able to offer diners at their restaurant Paul Ainsworth at No.6 somewhere to stay, but it also enabled him to share his family’s knowledge on the best things to do and see year-round in the area. Padstow Townhouse advises guests on the finest coastal walks and hidden beaches to visit and can arrange activities such as vineyard tours and fishing trips. With something to suit everyone, Padstow Townhouse’s expert tips and activities help guests to unwind and discover the best of Cornwall.
Picnics
Padstow Townhouse can provide sumptuous picnic hampers for guests looking to dine
 out and about. Served in beautiful wicker baskets and accompanied by cosy Fortnum & Mason and Joules picnic blankets, the dedicated team at No.6 preparedelightful gourmet treats such as smoked salmon sandwiches, charcuterie, handmade scotch eggs and even a cream tea, all of which can be enjoyed on the beach or on a speedboat trip. Padstow Townhouse picnics start from £70 excluding drinks.
Cycling
With a fleet of four beautiful Duchess bicycles for guests to borrow, guests can explore the nearby beaches, trails and some of Paul’s favourite gardens such as the Lost Gardens of Heligan at their own pace and leisure. The team at the Townhouse are on-hand to offer guidance and maps to key attractions guests would like to visit, suggesting the best routes. With over 300 in Cornwall, guests can travel with ease to a number of nearby beaches including Constantine Bay Beach, one of the best surfing beaches in North Cornwall.
Wine tours
With English wine increasing in popularity, Padstow Townhouse can arrange a variety of exciting wine tours for discerning oenophiles, starting at £75 per person. Camel Valley offers relaxed tours as well as wine by the glass on their relaxing terrace overlooking the vineyard, an hour’s cycle from the hotel. Vineyard Trevibban Mill’s scenic tours take guests through orchards and vineyard followed by a tasting. Visitors can taste up to seven of their wines accompanied by lunch and breath-taking views across the valley. Trevibban Mill is a half-hour cycle from the hotel and guests can borrow Dubarry boots for the site tour.
Fishing trips
Known for its historic fishing harbour, a visit to Padstow is not complete without a tripout on the waters. Padstow Townhouse can arrange fishing trips on board the ‘Emma Kate’, led by skippers Lee and John who will head out to find an exciting wreck reef or offer a spot of mackerel fishing.
Walks
With detailed local knowledge and Dubarry boots available for guests to borrow, Padstow Townhouse can recommend some of the best walks in Cornwall. One of Paul’s top trails is the Trevone to Padstow route, a moderate walk that covers 12 kilometres across the rockpools at Newtrain Bay, with panoramic views on Stepper Point and sandy beaches at Hawker’s Cove. Another favourite walk of Paul’s is from Daymer Bay back to Padstow. Passing though sand dunes towards Rock, guests should look out for St Enodoc’s Church, the burial place of Sir John Betjeman before hopping on the passenger ferry and finishing with a visit to the golden sand beaches of Harbour Cove and St George’s Cove. Padstow Townhouse is near plenty of beautifully maintained gardens and stately homes, including Lanhydrock and Prideaux Place. Don’t miss the Japanese Garden and Bonsai Nursery, where East meets West in a unique oasis of Japanese maples, Koi ponds, bamboo groves, Zen gardens and bonsai trees.
Speedboat trips
For an exhilarating excursion around Padstow’s bay, Padstow Townhouse can arrange speedboat trips for both private and group tours in wooden Riva-style boats. Guests choosing to book a private Padstow speedboat trip can also bring along a bespoke picnic hamper freshly prepared at Paul Ainsworth at No. 6, the perfect treat for exploring the beautiful Cornish waters and relaxing in the sea breeze. Padstow speedboat trips start from £12 per person.
The Eden Project
Head to the internationally acclaimed Eden Project to discover the world’s largest indoor rainforest. With plenty of events happening throughout the year, Padstow Townhouse can arrange taxis for guests to attend their ‘Eden Sessions’ to see the likes of Elton John and Ben Howard perform in a truly spectacular setting.
The six-suite Padstow Townhouse is set in Old Town Padstow. Each room of the adult-only hotel was decorated by Emma and interior designer Eve Cullen-Cornes. Each individualised guestroom is playfully and stylishly inspired by traditional British sweets, such as the sumptuously patterned Rhubarb & Custard with its deep orange and red hues.
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