Padstow

Located on the north coast of Cornwall, Padstow is a thriving holiday hotspot with fascinating cultural traditions, a spectacular harbour and a variety of bars, restaurants and cafes serving up fine Cornish cuisine, including Rick Stein’s renowned fish and chip shop, offering a takeaway like no other.

Rick Stein’s connection with Padstow can be further experienced at the annual Beer and Mussel Festival. Set in the Cornish Arms in St Merryn, this free-to-attend event features a fantastic line-up of live music, more than 40 local beers and ciders to taste and, of course, some locally cooked cuisine featuring some of Rick Stein’s favourite seafood recipes.

With its many harbour-side inns and celebrity chef eateries, Padstow is also undoubtedly most well known for its annual ‘Obby ‘Oss event, a May Day celebration which takes place throughout the town. The event starts early in the morning where the two ‘osses’, one red and one blue, emerge from their stables and take to the streets of Padstow, swirling and dancing with a long procession of Padstownians following their lead, as more than 30,000 spectators cheer them on. The celebrations go on throughout the day and feature dance displays and performances from local musicians, and if you set up camp in one of its many pubs, you can join in with the traditional singing sessions that take place throughout the day.

With a vast array of cultural traditions, including an annual egg-rolling event, a trip to this authentically Cornish town is guaranteed to deliver.