Padstow campsites

As the star attraction, the harbour draws visitors from all over to watch local fisherman peacefully casting their rods to bring in their supper. It's the perfect spot for a Cornish cream tea too, with fantastic views out to sea.

The town is quite rightly well known as a foodie destination - and TV chef Rick Stein has several restaurants including The Seafood Restaurant and Stein's Fish & Chips - both serving sublime local produce straight from the harbour.

If you fancy meeting the local wildlife, boat trips to see seals, dolphins and basking sharks are a great idea - as is a ferry ride across the Camel estuary to explore nearby inaptly named town of Rock, which is actually very sandy!    

Being Cornwall, there are lots of superb beaches nearby including Bedruthan Steps, Constantine Bay and Harlyn Bay where you can stretch out to soak up some rays on a sunny day. 

North Cornwall's beaches are perfect for surfers with almost guaranteed waves, but also make great places for beginners with a mix of local surf schools running classes for those who are feeling brave enough. You’ll find wetsuit hire is included too. 

For those who fancy exploring by foot, there are plenty of walking and cycling trails to help fill your lungs with fresh, Cornish air. The Camel Trail does a great job of showing off the spectacular scenery (there are some terrific photo opportunities), as do Stepper Point Walk and Smugglers' Way Trail, which travels all the way from Boscastle to Looe.    

If you can manage to drag yourself away from sandcastles and rockpooling fun at the beach, families will enjoy the informative National Lobster Hatchery, which is a pioneering marine conservation charity. You could also visit the beautiful Prideaux Place and its deer park, nearby Crealy adventure park and, of course, the Eden Project which is some 20 miles outside the town.    

Also nearby are Polzeath, Mawgan Porth, Port Isaac and Tintagel, with its famous cliff-top castle links to King Arthur.