A circular walk from Padstow along Little Petherick Creek and the Camel Trail

Little Petherick Creek and the Camel Trail

It is important that you carefully time this walk with the tide times: the footpath along the edge of the creek is underwater at high tide. Once you reach the slate tips at Sea Mills, there is no time pressure from this point on. The edge of the creek is quite muddy so ensure you have appropriate footwear.

A circular walk via the Victorian obelisk overlooking Padstow, the creek-side church at Little Petherick and the tidal enclosure of Sea Mills, returning via the Camel Trail bridge which carried the railway that brought the first Victorian tourists to Padstow and Cornish fish to London.

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Download the (free) app then use it to purchase this walk.
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The app will direct you to the start of the walk via satnav.
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The app guides you around the walk using GPS, removing any worries about getting lost.
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The walk route is described with detailed, regularly-updated, hand-written directions.
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Each time there is a new direction to follow, the app will beep to remind you, and will warn you if you go off-route.
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A map shows the route, where you are at all times and even which way you are facing.
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Each walk is packed with information about the history and nature along the route, from over a decade of research than spans more than 3,000 topics.
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Once a walk is downloaded, the app doesn't need wifi or a phone signal during the walk.
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The app counts down distance to the next direction and estimates time remaining based on your personal walking speed.
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We keep the directions continually updated for changes to the paths/landmarks - the price for a walk includes ongoing free updates.

either as a GPS-guided walk with our app (£3.29) or a PDF of directions (£2.79) Example of directions

From Padstow, the route climbs Dennis Hill to the obelisk where there are panoramic views of the area. It then follows the Saint's Way up Little Petherick Creek through meadows and woodland to reach Little Petherick's gothic church. From there the path follows the other side of the creek to reach Sea Mills. The return route is through fields and down a small track then along the Camel Trail over the old railway bridge spanning Little Petherick Creek.

Highlights

  • Historic fishing village and harbour at Padstow
  • Panoramic views of the creeks and estuary
  • Wildflowers in the woodland along the creeks
  • Ornate gothic church at Little Petherick
  • Remains of a tidal mill enclosure at Sea Mills
  • Wading birds such as curlews and egrets
  • Local Cornish food in Padstow

Considerations

  • The footpath on the foreshore passes over an area of bedrock which is slippery when wet.
  • Note that most coastal walks in Cornwall have paths close to unfenced cliffs.

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Vital statistics

  • OS Explorer: 106
  • Distance: 5.3 miles/8.6 km
  • Steepness grade: Moderate
  • Recommended footwear: tall, waterproof boots; wellies in winter
  • Pub: ✓
  • Café: ✓

OS maps for this walk

Click or tap on map for more info (blue=laminated)

Pubs on or near the route

  • The Golden Lion Hotel
  • The Harbour Inn
  • The London Inn
  • The Old Customs House
  • The Old Ship Hotel
  • The Shipwrights

either as a GPS-guided walk with our app (£3.29) or a PDF of directions (£2.79) Example of directions

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