Best Pubs in Padstow for a Holiday Pint
Summer street scene outside The London Inn in Padstow. Photo by Elliot Walker
Whether you’ve hiked the coast path to Stepper Point, shaken the sand from your toes after a day on the beach, or just hopped off the ferry from Rock, nothing hits quite like that first cold pint on holiday. Especially when it’s pulled to perfection in a Cornish pub – sea breeze in the air, and fishing boats bobbing just beyond the window.
In and around Padstow, you’re spoiled for choice. From centuries-old inns with low-beamed ceilings to modern gastro pubs with sweeping estuary views, here are our favourite pubs for a holiday pint.
The Golden Lion, Padstow
The Golden Lion in Padstow. Photo by Elliot Walker
Best for: A post-walk warm-up, traditional vibes, and classic pub comfort
After a coastal stomp up or a trundle along the Camel Trail, step into the comforting glow of Padstow’s oldest pub. The Golden Lion has been warming bellies and cheering souls for over 400 years – and you can feel the history in every timber beam and stone wall. A roaring fire, hearty Cornish fare, ship masts in the rafters, and cask ales on tap – this is a pub with stories, soul and proper old-school charm.
Shipwrights, Padstow
The Shipwrights. Photo by Elliot Walker
Best for: Sunshine sipping, ferry pitstops, and harbour buzz
Hop off a boat trip or the ferry from Rock, and you’ll spot this harbourfront gem tucked right on the water’s edge. A favourite for families and sunny afternoons, it’s the perfect place to grab a seat outside, watch the boats drift in, gulls wheel overhead, and the harbour buzz around you. Or head inside to soak up the maritime charm when the weather shifts. Once a go-to for port workers and fishermen, these days it’s all about local beers, classic pub fare, and the hum of holiday chatter.
The Old Custom House, Padstow
The Old Custom House in Padstow. Photo by Elliot Walker
Best for: People watching and a prime quayside position
If your idea of a holiday pint includes a side of people-watching, The Old Custom House hits the spot. Right on the quayside, it’s the perfect pitstop – whether you’ve been mooching through town, are on your way back from the beach, or have just stepped off the coastal path. Grab a Doom Bar (brewed just across the estuary), find a spot by the window or outside, and take in the views. Hungry? Refuel with classic Cornish pub grub, and you’ll be ready for the next round of coastal adventures.
The London Inn
The newly refurbished interior of The London Inn in Padstow. Photo courtesy of The London Inn
Best for: Hidden charm, live music and a warm local welcome
Tucked in the backstreets of Padstow, this historic little pub is where the locals hangout. Duck inside for excellent cask ales, a chinwag, a mean Sunday roast, and live music sessions. Packed with charm, it’s a real escape from the hustle and bustle of the harbour in summer, with a secret roof terrace where you can rise above it all and bask in the sunshine – or even under the stars.
The Mariners, Rock
Image courtesy of The Mariners
Best for: Ferry rides, the views and Michelin-starred food
Hop aboard the Black Tor ferry from Padstow and cross the Camel Estuary to arrive at this gastro-meets-local pub, helmed by Ainsworth. Before you take a seat overlooking the water, stretch your legs with a stroll to the white-sands of Daymer Bay and scale the peak of Brea Hill for sweeping views. By the time you’re back at The Mariners, you’ll have earned a Sharp’s beer (brewed just up the hill), and worked up an appetite for Michelin-quality pub food with a Cornish soul.
The Pityme Inn, Rock
Photo courtesy of The Pityme Inn
Best for: Local vibes, heated garden pods and live music
If you’ve been padding along Daymer Bay, climbing Brea Hill, or exploring the coast path on the Rock-side of the Camel Estuary, most people will signpost you to The Mariners for food and drink. But if you head inland a little, you’ll come to the more local, laidback Pityme Inn. Bask in the countryside garden – with heated pods so you’re warm whatever the weather – or flop in an armchair by the log burner. You can also fill up on dishes packed with the best seasonal ingredients plucked from the surrounding coast and countryside.
The Cornish Arms, St Merryn
Best for: post-beach pub sessions, family-friendly comfort, and garden pints.
When you’ve had your fill of sea and sand on the Seven Bays, head inland to St Merryn for a pint in Rick Stein’s revamped village. It’s all low-key vibes, a giant beer garden, St Austell Brewery ales, and classic pub dishes done really well. Dogs are welcome, as are muddy boots and sandy feet, and the beer tastes even better when you’ve earned it on the coast.
Ring o’Bells Inn, St Issey
Image courtesy of the Ring O’Bells
Best for: Countryside charm, and peace-and-quiet pints
Follow the Saints’ Way inland from Padstow and you’ll stumble upon this unassuming village pub with a big heart. A welcome sight after a rural ramble, the Ring O’ Bells serves up local ales, hearty food, and fireside warmth. Stay for lunch or just the pint – either way, you’ll leave with rosy cheeks and plans to come back.
The Pickwick Inn, St Issey
Image courtesy of The Pickwick Inn
Best for: Sundown pints, sweeping views, and a sense of escape
Perched on a hill with views over the Camel Estuary, this smart country pub is worth the drive (10 minutes), walk (1.5 hours) or cycle (30 minutes) from Padstow. Settle into the sprawling terrace with something cold and local in hand, and soak up one of the best sunset spots around. Being the kind of place where holiday evenings naturally stretch on, you might want to book a table for dinner and sample its outstanding culinary reputation for yourself.
Merrymoor Inn, Mawgan Porth
Pub garden and beach view at The Merrymoor
Best for: Beachfront beers, surf-watching and laidback vibes
Just down the coast from Padstow, Mawgan Porth is a wide-open sweep of sand made for dog walks, rock pooling, and wave-catching. After a salty blast along the shoreline or a surf session in the Atlantic, take a seat on the surfside terrace at the Merrymoor Inn. Wind down with a Cornish beer or cider, and you might just find you’re still there when the sun dips behind the headland.
St Kew Inn, St Kew
Image courtesy of the St Kew Inn
Best for: A rewarding pint after proper countryside stomp
Just half an hour’s drive from Padstow, there’s plenty of reason to detour to this 15th-century gem tucked in the Cornish countryside. Whether you’ve been plodding along the peaceful River Amble, looping through the woods on the St Kew circular, or hiking in from the coast path at Port Isaac, this is the kind of pub that calls you in with its crackling fire and large gardens made for long, lazy afternoons spent sipping cask ales and grazing on seasonal, locally sourced dishes.
Book your Padstow holiday cottage and make your holiday pint one to remember.
Ready to raise your glass to your Cornish adventure? With a Harbour Holidays cottage as your base, you’ve got the best pubs in Cornwall right on your doorstep. We’ve still got availability in some of our Padstow holiday cottages this summer, and the sun’s set to shine well into autumn.
