Little Petherick

Little Petherick is a hamlet in a wooded valley about 2 miles south of Padstow, where Little Petherick Creek - a tidal inlet of the Camel Estuary - winds through mudflats and overhanging trees. The 14th-century church of St Petroc Minor sits beside the creek, partly hidden by mature trees. The hamlet has no pub or shop, just a cluster of houses and farm buildings along the narrow lane.

The creek is a quiet spot for birdwatching, particularly at high tide when waders are pushed onto the mudflats. The lane from Little Petherick leads north to Padstow (a 5-minute drive or a pleasant 30-minute walk) and south to the A389 and Wadebridge. The Camel Trail is accessible from both directions, and cyclists can ride the flat, traffic-free path from Wadebridge to Padstow along the estuary.

Holiday properties around Little Petherick are mostly converted barns and farmhouses with rural settings and more space than you would find in Padstow itself. The hamlet is one of several small communities in the Padstow hinterland - St Issey, Trevone, and St Merryn are all within a few miles - that offer a countryside feel with quick access to the harbour, beaches, and restaurants of the north coast.