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Parking and WiFi are provided at all of our properties. One travel cot and one highchair are also available at each property as a minimum.
With a wide crescent of golden sand and sheltered waters, Harlyn Bay is renowned for being one of North Cornwall's most family-friendly beaches. For those planning family-friendly stays in Harlyn Bay, the area offers a perfect central location - tucked away from the busiest crowds in nearby Padstow, yet within easy reach of some of the region's best beaches, cycle trails and wildlife parks.
Whether taking kids for their first surfing lesson or exploring historic ruins along the South West Coast Path, our guide to family-friendly activities in Harlyn Bay highlights the best ways to fill your days.
Use the page links below to navigate the blog post: • Surf, sand and sheltered shores • Animal encounters and farmyard fun • Exploring on two wheels or two feet • All-weather options near Harlyn • Eateries near Harlyn Bay • Where to stay in Harlyn Bay
Our recommendations for things to do in Harlyn Bay with kids begin with taking advantage of the beautiful beaches and coastline. Harlyn Bay Beach is patrolled by RNLI lifeguards from May through to September, providing safe conditions for a paddle in the shallows or an ocean dip. Rock pooling in Harlyn Bay is a fun activity at low tide, or head to Padstow to have a go at crabbing from the slipway.
The sheltered position of Harlyn Bay provides a safe arena for novice surfers, sea kayakers and stand-up paddle boarders – with equipment for all of these available to hire on the beach. Looking for surfing lessons in Harlyn Bay for children? Harlyn Surf School is renowned for beginners' level lessons in surfing, paddle boarding, kayaking and coasteering.
Accessibility: Slipway access to the beach enables wheelchair users and families with pushchairs to visit Harlyn Bay with ease.
Part of the Seven Bays, Harlyn Bay's neighbouring beaches are well worth a visit too. To the west you’ll come across Mother Ivey’s Bay, Booby’s Bay, Constantine and Treyarnon, while the coast path leads round to Trevone Bay towards the east. We recommend a picnic at Constantine Bay, which is backed by soft sand dunes and has ample space for beach games. Treyarnon Bay is home to a natural tidal pool which is also great for families.
Good to know: The beaches around the Seven Bays are dog-friendly year-round, with the exception of some seasonal restrictions at Trevone Bay, making the area perfect for those holidaying with their canine companion.
Within a 15-minute drive, discover a wide range of family-friendly activities in Harlyn Bay to keep children entertained. Explore the Seven Bays and take a day trip to Macdonald's Farm in Porthcothan, which is a firm favourite with families. Featuring regular events and live music, a play area and petting farm, children will love meeting rabbits, ponies and alpacas.
Another North Cornwall family attraction worth visiting is the National Lobster Hatchery in Padstow, which offers a unique experience for families to get up close to lobsters and a variety of other coastal creatures, while learning about marine conservation. For a memorable day out come rain or shine, Camel Creek Family Adventure Park offers a wonderful selection of rides, animals and indoor play for children of all ages.
There are plenty of family days out near Harlyn Bay that are free of charge. The area is rich in ancient history, spanning through the Bronze and Iron Ages, with numerous burial grounds having been discovered. Archaeologists have even discovered tools and flint dating back some 10,000 years to the Mesolithic and Neolithic periods. The walks and cycle routes in and around Harlyn Bay are steeped in history and legend and make for a fascinating stroll or ride.
For families who enjoy exploring on foot, we recommend heading east towards the iconic Trevose Head Lighthouse and following the path around to Big Guns Cove, meandering around Mother Ivey’s Bay. Trevose Head offers spectacular views over Booby’s Bay and Constantine Bay and is one of the best spots to enjoy a sunset or indulge in some star gazing away from light pollution.
Alternatively, hire bikes and take a ride along the Camel Trail, a flat, traffic-free route between Padstow and Wadebridge which is ideal for families. Why not combine the cycle ride with a boat trip? Padstow Sealife Safaris offer boat trips which are perfect for seal spotting and enjoying views of the North Cornwall landscape from the water.
There are plenty of family walks near Padstow and along the Camel Estuary too. Following the South West Coast Path to the west of Harlyn Bay towards Stepper Point, walkers will come across the well-known collapsed sea cave in the centre of the cliff called "Round Hole". This is a dramatic and rugged walk with far-reaching views across the Camel Estuary from Stepper Point. Keen walkers may wish to continue along the path around to Padstow for well-earned refreshments at one of the popular pubs or restaurants.
Harlyn Bay family holidays are wonderful at any time of year, in all weathers, with an abundance of indoor and outdoor attractions to enjoy. When the Cornish mist rolls in, there's plenty to keep everyone entertained, aside from zipping up the raincoats for an atmospheric walk. St Eval Kart Circuit is a partially covered go-kart track, featuring a 1,000 metre circuit for children aged seven to 12, plus an adults-only track and a dedicated circuit for three to six-year-olds.
Padstow Museum is ideal for getting out of the rain for a couple of hours, with fascinating historical artifacts to discover, including stories of fishing, shipwrecks and origins of the town. When the sun comes back out, enjoy an ice cream on the harbour or wander down to the beach.
Slightly further afield, The Eden Project offers an exciting day out for all the family. Take a stroll through one of the world's largest indoor rainforests, the Mediterranean biome and the extensive outdoor gardens. Take a look at their website for seasonal events, including nature and wellbeing activities, live music and outdoor cinema screenings.
Just three miles outside of Padstow, Harlyn Bay is the perfect base for a foodie holiday. Pubs, cafés and restaurants are in abundance in Padstow and are perfect for a harbourside lunch or dinner. From traditional Cornish pubs such as the Old Custom House serving up real ale and local produce to Michelin-starred Paul Ainsworth’s Number 6, there's something for every occasion. Of course, Padstow is also home to Rick Stein’s plethora of eateries, including The Seafood Restaurant, Rock Stein's Café and Stein's Fish and Chips.
Harlyn’s nearest village of St Merryn boasts the well-reputed Rafferty’s Wine Bar, serving up a wide selection of tapas and mouth-watering mains, and Rick Stein’s Cornish Arms, which offers a range of pub classics and local ales.
Our holiday homes in Harlyn Bay are within easy reach of the beach and offer an abundance of luxury amenities. Pentyak is a breath-taking luxury holiday home overlooking Harlyn Bay. Sleeping up to 14 guests, this self-catering holiday home is perfect for a large family holiday or special occasion. An enormous, enclosed garden with sunken trampoline sweeps around the property to the large gravel drive. Children will love the handmade wooden treehouse and the quirky wooden slide running alongside the stairs inside.
Trelawn (sleeps 10) boasts a secluded garden with a bubbling hot tub, a sea-view lounge and a games room, perfect for a family reunion on the coast. Sleeping up to 10 guests, Tater Du is just a short stroll from the beach, with an outdoor shower for sandy returns and a peaceful garden with a hot tub. Enjoy al fresco dining at Poldhu, a sea-view property sleeping eight, with a hot tub in the enclosed garden.
Left to right: Pentyak, Trelawn, Tater Du and Poldhu
Harlyn Bay holiday homes
Image credits: All images are our own.
One of the most sought-after holiday homes in North Cornwall, this family-friendly property affords shimmering sea views from almost every room. The open plan living and dining area is the perfect special occasion setting, while the den, treehouse and indoor slide provide endless fun for younger guests. Those hosting yoga retreats will love the dedicated studio that awaits at the end of the garden.
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A stone’s throw from Harlyn Bay Beach, this striking wood-clad hideaway enjoys a unique upside-down layout and flexible sleeping arrangements across five stunning bedrooms. Intricately designed to maximise quality time spent together, families will love the private hot tub area, high-tech media and games rooms, stylish interiors and sea views.
Located in the heart of Harlyn Bay and minutes from the beach, this Scandi-inspired home is an idyllic retreat for families and groups of friends year-round. Newly built and finished to the highest spec, Tater Du features four beautiful bedrooms, an irresistible outdoor hot tub and a sea-facing terrace.
Combining incredible architecture with sparkling sea views over Harlyn Bay, this spacious home was designed to bring families and friends together. With a hot tub, elevated lookout lounge and large grassy garden, enjoy a private paradise less than a five minute walk from the beach.
