Families can be expensive to bring on holiday so here are a few suggestions of things you can do in and around Padstow which are free:

Walk the Camel Trail – a level pathway starting at Padstow which skirts the Camel river along the estuary and inland. You can walk or bring your own bikes.

Go to the beach  (usually you pay to park during the day)– obvious maybe but there are so many things to do from making sand sculptures to playing beach cricket, flying kites or just having a paddle.

Listen to some music on Padstow bandstand, generally on Wednesday afternoon and Sunday afternoon and evenings. There is plenty of other free entertainment from carnivals to fetes to cricket on the sand bar (yes, really) so just check with Padstow TIC to see what is on.

Have fun catching crabs in Padstow harbour – a very popular activity and it’s helpful to read the Crabbing Code before you start.

Padstow Church is holding free craft sessions in the Church Rooms on 16 and 17^thAugust from 10-3pm.

Go rockpooling – many of Cornwall’s fine beaches are great fun to explore when the tide is out.  Treyarnon near Padstow, rocky beach at Trevone and Constantine are good ones to head for and you can take a bucket and net but all you really need is a sharp pair of eyes.

Wadebridge has a spacious, grassy playing field by the river and includes tennis courts, a cricket pitch, bowling green and also a fenced play park which is ideal for little ones.

Cardinham Woods near Bodmin – (pay to park) includes cycling and walking routes plus a fun Zog activity trail for younger ones. There is a lovely cafe but you can also take your own picnic or have a barbeque there.

Lanhydrock near Bodmin  (pay to park) has free cycle tracks for various abilities  so take your bikes and explore the lovely woods. There is also a café and toilets but you can also take a picnic.

No doubt there are plenty more ideas but this may just help your pounds stretch a little further!