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Getting to Padstow With a Dog
🇬🇧Padstow, United Kingdom·Updated 27 July 2026
Padstow lost its own railway in the 1960s, and that old line is now the Camel Trail, so arriving means train to a nearby mainline station then a bus, or driving. Dogs travel free on National Rail (up to two per passenger, on a lead), and the little Black Tor Ferry across to Rock takes dogs too.
| Mode | Policy | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| National Rail (nearest station: Bodmin Parkway) | Under the National Rail Conditions of Travel, up to two dogs travel free with each passenger, on a lead or in a carrier, and not on the seats. Padstow has no station of its own, so the usual route is a mainline train to Bodmin Parkway, then the Go Cornwall Bus 57 to Padstow via Wadebridge (about 1 hour 15). | 💡 |
| Black Tor Ferry (Padstow to Rock) | The passenger ferry across the estuary to Rock welcomes dogs; the fare is a small extra charge (around 1 pound each way) at the ferryman's discretion. It is the quickest way to reach the year-round dog beaches at Rock and Daymer Bay without the long road drive around the estuary. | 💡 |
Arriving in Padstow
Padstow is on the north Cornwall coast with no railway of its own. By train, take the mainline to Bodmin Parkway then the Go Cornwall Bus 57 to Padstow via Wadebridge; a second bus, the 56, links Padstow with Newquay via Newquay Airport (NQY), the nearest airport at about 12 miles. Drivers should note the town is small and parking is limited in summer, so the main harbour car parks fill early.
Getting around with a dog
Padstow itself is tiny and walkable, and the harbour, old town and Camel Trail trailhead are all a few minutes apart on foot. To reach the beaches across the estuary, the dog-friendly Black Tor Ferry to Rock saves a long drive; the flat Camel Trail is the easy, traffic-free way to walk or cycle inland with a dog on a lead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Padstow have a train station?
No. Padstow's old railway closed in the 1960s and the route is now the Camel Trail. The nearest mainline station is Bodmin Parkway, from where the Go Cornwall Bus 57 runs to Padstow via Wadebridge. Dogs travel free on National Rail, up to two per passenger on a lead.
Can I take my dog on the ferry to Rock?
Yes. The Black Tor Ferry across the estuary to Rock welcomes dogs for a small extra charge, around a pound each way at the ferryman's discretion. It is the fastest route to the year-round dog beaches at Rock and Daymer Bay.
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