Last Updated on 24/02/2026 by Ting Dalton
One of my favourite things about visiting Padstow is how we get there. Not by car, sitting in a jam on a single-track road while the kids bicker in the back. Instead, we park in Rock, walk down to the beach, and hop on the little ferry that’s been crossing the River Camel estuary for over 600 years.
The crossing takes about five to ten minutes. The kids hang over the edge and watch the water churn. You arrive at the harbour with the smell of salt air and the sound of gulls, ready for pasties, crabbing and whatever else the day brings.
Here’s everything you need to know before you go.
Rock ferry to Padstow: The quick facts
- First ferry: 8:00am from Padstow
- Frequency: Every 20 minutes
- Crossing time: Around 5-10 minutes
- Last ferry in peak summer (21 July-31 August): 7:45pm from Padstow, 7:30pm from Rock
- Fares: Adults £3.00 | Children £1.50 | Under 5s free | Bikes £3.00 | Dogs £1.00
- Payment: Contactless card only – no cash, no advance booking
- Lunch break: Only in winter (the service runs straight through in summer)
- Tide note: Drop-off points vary at low tide – check the ferry crossing map before you go
- Ferry contact: 07773 081574
Why take the ferry rather than drive to Padstow?
I remember a local shopkeeper once wagging her finger at us when we mentioned we were thinking of driving into Padstow on a sunny August day. “Are you mad?” she said, shaking her head. “You’ll spend half the day looking for a parking space.”
She was right. Padstow is small, it’s popular, and parking is genuinely elusive. The fines are abundant, and the stress is real.
The smarter move is to drive to Rock instead, park up, and take the ferry across. The crossing is scenic, quick and far cheaper than a parking ticket. Rock has more parking than Padstow – though in peak summer you’ll still want to arrive early to secure a space.
Rock car park postcode: PL27 6FD (the Rock Quarry car park, right by the beach and ferry point)
Summer ferry times: What to know
In summer, the service runs every day, and – crucially – there’s no lunch break. The 1:30-2:00pm gap only applies in winter (end of BST through to 31 March). From midsummer through to August, the last ferry from Padstow doesn’t leave until 7:45pm, which means you can stay for a proper evening meal and still get back comfortably.
Here’s how the last ferry changes through the season:
- 1 April – 1 June: Last ferry 6:00pm (Padstow), 5:45pm (Rock)
- 2 June – 20 July: Last ferry 7:00pm (Padstow), 6:45pm (Rock)
- 21 July – 31 August: Last ferry 7:45pm (Padstow), 7:30pm (Rock)
- 1-14 September: Last ferry 7:00pm (Padstow), 6:45pm (Rock)
- 15 September – end BST: Last ferry 6:00pm (Padstow), 5:45pm (Rock)
The first ferry from Padstow leaves at 8:00am year-round. If you want Padstow before the day-trippers descend, that’s your window.
What about after the last ferry? The evening water taxi
If you want to stay on in Padstow for dinner – and with restaurants like Rick Stein’s, you absolutely might – there’s an evening water taxi that runs once the main ferry stops.
The Wavehunters Water Taxi runs every evening from April to October, from 6:00pm until around 11:00pm (weather and tides permitting). It’s a 10-metre jet-powered catamaran with space for 12 passengers, inside cabin included – useful when it’s breezy on the estuary at night.
Key things to know:
- Fares: From £7.50 per person
- Dogs: Free
- Bikes: £2.50
- Late night surcharge: An extra £10 per person applies from 11pm onwards
- No need to book in low season – just turn up. In peak season, pre-booking helps speed up boarding
- You can track the taxi’s live location on the Wavehunters website so you know when it’s on your side
- If you want to return after 9pm, call ahead to confirm: 07778 105297
- At Rock: Board from the slipway near Rock Beach Car Park
- At Padstow: High tide – South Slip (outside the Old Custom House). Low tide – Ferry Slip at the outer breakwater
It’s a good option for families who want a relaxed dinner without one eye on the clock.
What’s it like on the ferry?
The Black Tor ferry is operated by Padstow Harbour Commissioners and has been crossing the Camel in one form or another since 1337 – a fact that goes down well with children who find the wait boring.
You pay on board, contactless only. There’s no booking, no advance tickets – just turn up, tap your card, sit where directed by the crew and enjoy the short crossing. The tide affects which part of the beach you board from, so glance at the crossing map if you’re visiting at low tide.
What to do in Padstow
Padstow is compact and very walkable. The harbour is the natural focal point – fishing boats come and go, families crab off the quayside, and the smell of fresh seafood drifts from the restaurants around the waterfront.
Food: Rick Stein’s restaurants are everywhere here – from the Seafood Restaurant (book well ahead) to his fish and chip shop on South Quay, which is perfect for lunch without the fuss. If you’d rather skip the queue, there are excellent pasties from bakeries in town – eat them while walking along the harbour wall.
Crabbing: The quayside is ideal for it. Pick up a line and bait from one of the shops nearby and set the kids loose. It costs almost nothing and keeps them entertained for a surprisingly long time.
Walking: The Saints’ Way starts just above the town – an ancient trading route dating to the Bronze Age, marked with Celtic crosses and stretching 27 miles. You don’t need to do the whole thing. Even a short walk up above the harbour to the war memorial gives you views across the estuary that make the whole trip worthwhile.
The harbour itself: Wandering around the inner and outer harbours at your own pace is genuinely lovely, especially early morning or early evening when the light changes and the crowds thin out.
What to do in Rock
Rock has a beautiful beach – at low tide, the sand stretches all the way around Brea Hill towards Daymer Bay, and it’s a wonderful walk. The village itself is well-heeled and known for its restaurants and water sports.
The South West Coast Path is accessible right by the ferry slipway. From here you can walk to Polzeath, Lundy Bay and Port Quin. For families, the circular walk taking in Daymer Bay and St Enodoc Church is well worth doing – a 15th-century church that sits on a golf course and is where the poet John Betjeman is buried. The views across the estuary from up there are wonderful.
If you’re cycling, Rock is also one end of the Camel Trail – a largely flat, traffic-free route that follows the old railway line for 18 miles to Bodmin. Bike hire is available in Padstow (Padstow Cycle Hire and Trail Bike Hire) and Wadebridge (Bridge Bike Hire and Camel Trail Cycle Hire). If you hire in Padstow, you can cycle to Wadebridge and take the ferry back across from Rock – a great way to do a one-way ride without retracing your route.
Tips for visiting with kids
- The crossing itself is a highlight for small children – mine called it the “berry boat” for years
- Bring a crabbing line for Padstow harbour – it costs almost nothing and keeps children busy for hours
- Take an early ferry (8:00-9:00am) for a quieter Padstow, easier parking and first pick of the harbour
- Under 5s travel free on the ferry
- Dogs are welcome on board for £1
How to get to Rock
Rock is on the north Cornish coast, across the Camel estuary from Padstow. The nearest town is Wadebridge, about 5 miles away.
By car: Follow the B3314 from Wadebridge. Park at the Rock Quarry car park (PL27 6FD) – it’s been extended in recent years but still fills quickly in peak summer. Arriving by 9:00am in August gives you the best chance of a space.
By bus: The 595 bus connects Wadebridge to Rock during the summer months, though services are limited. Check Traveline South West for current timetables.
FAQs
How much is the Rock to Padstow ferry? Adults £3.00 single, children £1.50, under 5s free. Bikes are £3.00 and dogs £1.00. Pay on board by contactless card only.
How long does the crossing take? Around 5-10 minutes, depending on the tide and boarding point.
Can I take my bike on the ferry? Yes – bikes are welcome and cost £3.00 each way. The ferry connects easily with the Camel Trail from either end.
Do you need to book in advance? No – just turn up and pay on board. There are no advance tickets.
Is there a lunch break in summer? No. The lunch break (1:30-2:00pm) only applies in winter, from the end of British Summer Time through to 31 March. The summer service runs straight through.
What time is the last ferry from Padstow in peak summer? At peak summer (21 July-31 August) the last ferry from Padstow is at 7:45pm, and from Rock at 7:30pm.
What if I want to stay later than the last ferry? The Wavehunters Water Taxi runs every evening from April to October from 6:00pm until around 11:00pm. Fares start from £7.50. Call 07778 105297 or track its live location on the Wavehunters website.
Are dogs allowed on the ferry? Yes – dogs travel for £1 each way on the main ferry, and free on the water taxi.
What if the tide is low? The ferry still runs, but you board from slightly different points. The Padstow Harbour crossing map shows exactly where.
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