The Ghost Walk Padstow - Tour of Cornwall’s Myths and Legends
Description
Step into the shadows of old Padstow with a costumed guide—real ghost stories, hidden alleys, and dramatic tales await. Led by early 19th-century merchant Thomas Rawlings, this walking tour reveals the secrets behind Padstow’s historic landmarks. Expect vivid storytelling, strange true tales, and spooky goings-on—not just from the past, but from locals still spooked today. From old houses to a 16th century coaching inn, the medieval St Petroc’s Church and more, you’ll experience Padstow’s ghostly side like never before, with new sightings added often. Perfect for curious travellers who love hidden gems and a few shivers with their stories. Well behaved dogs welcome. Parental guidance is advised for children under 10 due to references to historical punishments and local legends involving death. There is an uphill section after the church for a walk of about 100m. A powered wheelchair would cope, but pushing a manual chair difficult. 1hr 20 min
Tour Options
Itinerary
Meet your costumed guide and step back in time as we explore Padstow’s old town on foot. We will be introduced to the spirit of a local merchant, then hear about two haunted inns, including a former coaching inn that once bustled with travellers. Then it's into the old town passing shops with spooks, pubs brimming with tradition and a former music hall. Onwards to the impressive St Petroc’s Church, a centrepiece of Padstow’s medieval past.
Explore the shadowed grounds of one of Cornwall’s oldest and most storied churches, plus the land that surrounds it.
Admire the outside the stately Elizabethan house, where legends linger.
Heading downhill through twisting alleys we hear more ghostly tales. Returning via the opposite side of the harbour for more stories of hauntings and the oldest building in Padstow. We come full circle for a final gathering and a chilling legend to end your evening.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- You should be capable of walking 1 mile total including 100m up a moderate hill on tarmac
- Powered scooters and powered wheelchairs can participate
- If in a manual wheelchair note there is an uphill section
Reviews(89)
The tour guide made the experience very enjoyable. There were lots of historical facts and spooky stories.
Thank you Carole most kindly for your wonderful review! 👻⚓ It was my great pleasure to guide you through the haunted streets of Padstow and share the town’s rich history, myths, legends, and a few chilling tales along the way. I’m delighted you enjoyed the blend of historical facts and spooky stories—that’s exactly what I strive to bring to life each evening. May the spirits of Padstow accompany you safely on your travels… but not all the way home! 👻 ⚓ Thomas Rawlings Your Ghostly Host
Great walking tour through Padstow. Geoff was a fabulous narrator of ghost stories from different parts of the old town and shared lots of other pieces of interesting information. Gentle pace with lots of stops. Highly recommend.
My thanks for your generous words… and for surviving the journey through Padstow’s shadowed streets. I am delighted you enjoyed the tales, the history and the unhurried pace. Ghosts have waited centuries to tell their stories, so there is little point in rushing them. Should you find yourself in Padstow again, seek me out. The town still guards many secrets, and I suspect its restless spirits have a few more stories they are eager to share. Until then… travel safely. - Thomas Rawlings (Possessing Geoff for the evening!)
Knowledgeable about the history of the area and stories told of potential ghost experiences & sightings across several pubs. Nice and steady pace after a 30° day.
Ah… Amy, you have walked willingly through the candlelight of Padstow’s past, and I thank you for it. 🕯️ It is no small thing, on a 30° evening when the stone walls still hold the heat of the day, to wander in search of whispers rather than escape them. Yet you did—gliding with us across tavern thresholds where laughter and legend blur, where every pub corner seems to remember something it should perhaps have forgotten. And those stories—of sightings, of murmurs, of things half-seen in candlelight and reflection—they are not mine to own, only to pass on. You simply happened to be there when they chose to surface. Should you return, Amy… do be warned. Padstow rarely tells the same story twice in quite the same way. 🖤 Until then… keep listening when places go quiet. That’s usually when they’re speaking most clearly.
Enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide who was friendly and informative, despite the evening being extremely warm the guide still dressed the part of a Victorian merchant
Thank you for your kind words about The Ghost Walk Padstow – Tour of Cornwall’s Myths and Legends. I’m pleased you found the walk both friendly and informative, even in the rather oppressive warmth of a summer evening when even the air itself seems reluctant to move. I hope our paths will again cross one day - Thomas Rawlings
Really enjoyable & informative.enjoyable couple of hours Nice to find out about local knowledge Good evening
My sincere thanks Karen for stepping into the shadows with me on The Ghost Walk Padstow – Tour of Cornwall’s Myths and Legends. I am most gratified to hear you found the evening both enjoyable and informative… for it is in these winding streets and whispered tales that Padstow truly reveals itself. To spend a couple of hours in the company of curious minds, uncovering the old knowledge of the town, is a pleasure I do not take lightly. Until we meet again in the twilight, I remain yours in storytelling, Thomas Rawlings
On our family holidays, we like a ghost walk wherever we are and this tour was so good! ‘Thomas’ was so informative and full of knowledge of Padstow of its tales of ghosts, smugglers and history. The tour is about 90 mins at a nice pace as you are taken around some streets of Padstow. Would definitely recommend.
My thanks to you for joining me on the walk, and for your kind words. It’s always a pleasure to share Padstow with those already familiar with ghost walks in other places—each town has its own shadows, and here they often arrive in the shape of smugglers’ tales, whispered sightings, and fragments of history that refuse to settle quietly. I’m glad the pace and stories made for an enjoyable part of your family holiday. — Thomas Rawlings The Ghost Walk Padstow
A great ghost tour, well worth it! The tour guide was brilliant, we learnt so much about Padstow’s history and lots of stories of spooky sightings!
My sincere thanks for joining me on the walk through Padstow’s winding streets, and for your generous words. It’s always a pleasure to share the town’s history, myths, legends, folklore and traditions—especially when the stories of old seem to stir something of their own as we pass by the very places they once took root. I’m glad the tales of sightings and history stayed with you after the evening drew to a close. — Thomas Rawlings The Ghost Walk Padstow
Very enjoyable walk around the streets of Padstow with some interesting stories.. ‘Thomas’ had obviously spent some time gathering stories from locales which elevated the stories above just the more well documented
Thank you for joining me upon those old streets, and for your generous words. Padstow has a way of holding onto its past… in whispers, in half-remembered names, in stories passed quietly from one generation to the next. I do my best to gather what I can of those fragments—some well recorded, others spoken more softly by those who still remember. I’m glad that sense of something just beneath the surface came through on your walk. — Thomas Rawlings The Ghost Walk Padstow
I booked this ghost walk as I’ve an interest in all things historic and paranormal, and with this visit to Padstow being my first, thought The Ghost Walk Padstow would be a fun way to learn about the town. I visited during preparations for Padstow Obby Oss, so there was an air of excitement from locals and other visitors alike. The tour guide did well, and handled joshing from ‘merry’ onlookers very graciously! The content of the tour was interesting and took you to some parts of Padstow that were off the beaten track and I would never have known existed had I not been on the walk. It’s worth the money paid and took about 90 minutes in total. Don’t worry if you’re not into fitness - the walk is at a gentle pace with plenty of time stopping at locations listening to tales of bygone eras. Even if you aren’t a believer in spirits, there is enough real history included to keep you engaged.
Thank you kindly for your generous words — and for choosing to walk the lantern-lit streets with me on your first visit to Padstow. You arrived at a most spirited time indeed, with the town stirring in anticipation of the mighty ‘Obby ’Oss… a season when the veil feels just a touch thinner, and the old stories seem eager to be told 🎭 I’m especially pleased you enjoyed venturing beyond the well-trodden paths — Padstow keeps many of her secrets tucked away, and it takes a brave soul to seek them out. As for the “merry” onlookers… ah yes, they do like to make their presence known, but all adds to the theatre of the night! Whether one believes in spirits or not matters little — the past leaves its mark all the same, and I’m glad the history spoke to you as much as the legends. Should you find yourself in Padstow again, the shadows will be waiting… 👻 — Thomas Rawlings
Great little tour, our Guide was full of interesting tales and information. Good walk around historical Padstow and a nice sense of slightly spooky olden times. Not expensive and a lovely way to spend an evening.
Ah… you’ve walked the harbour roads with me and lived to tell the tale. Your kind words are most gratefully received. Padstow has a habit of whispering its stories only to those willing to wander after dusk… I merely help translate what the past is trying to say. I’m delighted you felt the chill of those “olden times” — they’re never quite as far away as people think. Until we meet again… keep to the lamplight. — Thomas Rawlings
