We (Mary & Mark) will be delighted to welcome you to St Petroc’s Barns which dates back to 1850. We are set in a rural location just outside the Hamlet of St Ervan which is located on the outskirts of the village of Rumford. The location itself is rural, peaceful and offers a sense of escapism. We are fortunate to be a 10 min drive from Padstow (the foodie capital of Cornwall) with all its great restaurants and events throughout the year. We are within an area commonly known as "Seven bays for Seven days" so lovely beaches to visit all within a 10 min drive.
As you no doubt know, Cornwall has many attractions including gardens, historical places of interest, vineyards and breweries to name a few. There are many opportunities for relaxing, eating, drinking, walking, cycling, fishing, surfing, water sports, activity parks etc.etc.
Below we offer some information on a small selection of what the local area has to offer:-
A Selection of Nearby Beaches:-
RED COVE (at Bedruthan Steps) - 2.9 miles - Generally regarded as one of the most iconic beaches in Cornwall, over 1.5kms in length at low water with the flat golden sand punctuated by distinctive ‘island’ outcrops. Not for the faint-hearted the main access point down the cliffs is managed by the National Trust he flight of 149 steps carved and constructed out of the cliffs. For many, the walk to the viewing platform with the magnificent view down on to the beach is sufficient
PORTHCOTHAN - 3 Miles - This is a fine sandy beach along a stretch of coastline renowned for its many bays and coves. A sizeable stream crosses the Views of the beach and sand dunes above. When the tide is out the mouth of the Bay is over 380m wide.
CONSTANTINE BAY - 4.5 miles - A splendid sweeping beach with back-drop of sand dunes, it is framed against the easily identifiable Trevose Head to the north with its lighthouse. At low water it joins up with BOOBYS BAY and is set in one of the most open coastal landscapes in Cornwall. The popular TREYARNON Bay is very close being less than 500m to the south and midway between the two beaches is a small beach called CHAIR COVEwhich has a sandy spot at low water. It is named after a 6th Century Cornish Saint, St. Constantine. Good for surfing
MAWGAN PORTH BEACH - 4.5 MILES - A wide sandy inlet with imposing cliffs on either side. This is a popular beach with all the facilities right next to the beach , it is quite magnificent, especially at low water when a large expanse of flat golden sand covers the whole of the inlet. It is close to Bedruthan Steps which is 2kms to the north and Watergate Bay which is 2kms to the south. )
HARLYN BAY - 4 miles- Consists of the main northerly facing Harlyn Beach and a number of small coves that are joined at low water (except for Big Guns Cove) all of which have their own identity and gradually round the bay a more sheltered easterly aspect and hence take on a different character. Much of the central part of the Bay is backed by low sand dunes which becomes rockier westwards around the Bay. Great Bay for Surfing
MOTHER IVEY’S BAY - 4.5 MILES (A favorite of ours) A striking sandy beach which is remarkably sheltered from the Atlantic swell westerly winds by Trevose Head. The gently sloping beach of golden sand it is made up of a number of ‘coves’ with rocky areas in between. The largest and most popular is Little Cove which has the only significant area of sand at high water.
HAWKERS COVE - 5 MILES A delightful little cove with fine views across the Estuary to Daymer Bay and Polzeath. The cove is backed by a small hamlet of terraced cottages, a coastguard lookout and a former lifeboat station. At low water there is a vast expanse of sand including the infamous ‘Doom Bar’ which even to this day is a danger to shipping. When the tide is out it is easily possible to walk along the sand to adjacent PADSTOW HARBOUR COVE and St.GEORGES COVE. There is little or no beach at high water but as the tide recedes a wonderfully large flat sandy beach is exposed – beware that the tide comes in very quickly.
LUSTY GLAZE - 7 MILES - A privately owned beach that is run by an outdoor activity company but has full public access down step steps. At low water it is possible to walk around from TOLCARNE BEACH and in the other direction from PORTH BEACH at low spring tides.
FISTRAL - 9 MILES (Newquay) This magnificent beach is the home of surfing in the UK. The beach when viewed from either Towan Head or East Pentire headland can be quite stunning. There is always a sizeable strip of fine golden sand above high water mark which is usually larger in summer. At low water the tide goes out over 350m leaving a wide expanse of beach that stretches from Nun Cove and Little Fistral at the Towan Head end to Great Toddy and Little Toddy Coves at the Pentire end. The nature of the beach makes it popular with families as well as surfers.
Nearby Pubs & Restaurants
Padstow the foodie capital of Cornwall has a wealth of goods pubs and fabulous restaurants to suit all tastes and budgets. There are options from Paul Ainsworth who own's No 6 (Michelin Star) and Rojano's. There is of course options from Rick Steins famous Seafood Restaurant, his Bistro or Steins Cafe and everything inbetween. Can't list them all here but something for everyone.
A selection of other options locally:-
- Falcon Inn, St Mawgan (good pub food, children welcome)
- The Beach Hut Watergate Bay (Bistro type food great views & children welcome)
- Cornish Arms – Rick Steins pub in St Merryn, (Very nice food)
- The Merrymoor Inn Mawgan Porth – Good pub food, children welcome
- The Old Mill-Little Petherick,
- Catch –Mawgan Porth (casual dining & children welcome),
- The Rettorick Mill (Scott and Babs)- Rustic food cooked on open fires (everyone welcome)
- The Pig & Lobster Hut (Harlyn) - stylish hotel and restaurant
Tourist Attractions
We’ve listed below, just some of the many local’ attractions and you holiday accommodation there will be brochures to help you choose what to enjoy while you’re here in beautiful Cornwall.
- Camel Trail – great for a family cycle, walk and seeing the wildlife on the Camel River (Cycle shops in Padstow and Wadebridge – Recommend to Book during peak periods)
- National Lobster Hatchery- Padstow
- Karting Track at St Eval
- Camel Creek Adventure Park
- Chocolate Factory at St Eval – (Café really where you can see chocolate being made by hand)
- Retallack Aqua Park
- Old MacDonalds Farm
- St Eval 13th Century Church
- Cornish Birds of Prey & Animal Park
- Padstow Sealife Safaris
- Pirate’s Quest
- Newquay Zoo
- Cornwall’s Poldark Locations – Porthcothan
- Japanese Gardens – St Mawgan
- Trenance Gardens – Newquay
- Cycle friendly road routes (we are on one!)
However there are many beautiful places within an hour’s drive of our accommodation if you wish to travel further. Some are mentioned below:-
- Eden Project
- St Ives
- Port Isaac (Doc Martin filmed)
- Perranporth
- Penzence and St Michael’s Mount
- Falmouth
- Trago Mills
- St Michael’s Mount
- Looe
- And many many more
