Have a Padstow Christmas
It’s during December that Padstow is at its most magical, with its festive fair bringing sparkling Christmas lights to the tranquil harbour. Visitors can experience a traditional Christmas market in the idyllic seaside town on Cornwall’s North coast, over a long weekend during the 4th, 5th and 6th of December 2009.
After the resounding success of its first year, Padstow’s Christmas Festival is back, promising an array of seasonal treats with Christmas lights and decorations, fireworks, seasonal food, festive cookery demonstrations and late night shopping. This year’s Christmas market boasts stalls laden with Cornish goodies and at the heart of this years festival will be an outdoor ice rink for all to enjoy.
The ice rink is a new addition for 2009 and will be open all day Saturday and Sunday offering a great way to make the most of a winter’s day. The harbour side will play host to the 3,000 sq ft ice rink and after a session on the ice, visitors will be able to warm up with a hot chocolate and a mince pie in one of Padstow’s many cafés or bistros.
The festival’s food and drink stands will be celebrating all things Cornish; expect wine tastings, seasonal food, mulled wine and festive cookery demonstrations. Sample the best of Cornwall’s produce from the town’s local suppliers or enjoy a celebratory meal in one of Padstow’s renowned restaurants or traditional British pubs.
Many of the town’s eateries will be running special offers throughout the event, including The Basement – a café built within ‘The Drang’, a small shopping area on the Quay – which will be offering a three course evening menu for £22, as well as lunches for under £10, throughout the festival.
The town’s most well known chef, Rick Stein, will also be attending the festival, signing copies of his latest book, Far Eastern Odyssey, for visitors at Stein’s Deli. The Seafood Restaurant will be offering a three course lunch menu for £28.50, St Petroc’s Bistro will offer a three course lunch menu for £17.50 and there will also be a seasonal cookery demonstration at Padstow Seafood School on the evening of Friday 4th December.
With scenic estuary views, an appearance by Father Christmas, carols around the Christmas tree and live music, visitors can soak up the party atmosphere whilst escaping the hustle and bustle of city life. Guests can explore Padstow’s boutique retailers after hours for artisan jewellery, crafts, fashion and homewares for that perfect Christmas gift. The celebration will finally culminate with a special Christmas service and carols at the historic St Petroc’s church in the old town on Sunday 6th.
The full programme of events will be uploaded onto padstowlive.com in the lead up to the festival; the website also has more information about the town and accommodation.