Nao Santa Maria Lands in Padstow

A Once-in-a-Lifetime Ship Has Just Sailed Into Padstow — Here's the Best Way to See It

Something rather extraordinary is sitting in Padstow harbour this weekend, and if you haven't heard about it yet, you're going to want to make plans.

The Nao Santa María — a stunning, full-scale replica of the 15th-century sailing ship used by Christopher Columbus on his first voyage across the Atlantic in 1492 — has arrived in Cornwall and is open to visitors until Monday 25th May, 10:00–18:00 each day.

This magnificent 95-foot, 180-tonne vessel was built in Spain in 2018 by the Nao Victoria Foundation and is a faithful historical reproduction, complete with four masts, five sails and five decks. You can go on board, explore the ship, speak to the crew and get a genuine sense of what life at sea looked and felt like for Spanish sailors 500 years ago. It's the kind of experience that doesn't come to Cornwall very often — and it's not around for long.

Nao santa maria in the evening sunshine in Padstow Harbour

So how do you get to Padstow without the stress of driving through country lanes?

If you've ever driven into Padstow on a bank holiday weekend, you'll know exactly what we mean. The narrow lanes, the traffic queuing through the villages, the scramble for parking — it can take the shine off even the best day out.

Here's our suggestion: leave the car behind.

Hire a bike from us here at Bridge Bike Hire in Wadebridge and pedal your way into Padstow along the Camel Trail — one of the most beautiful traffic-free cycling routes in the whole of the UK. We're the only bike hire company on the trail with direct, traffic-free access, so you can be on your way in minutes, winding along the estuary with the water on one side and the countryside on the other, arriving relaxed, refreshed and ready to step back five centuries.

The route from Wadebridge to Padstow is just 5 miles each way — perfect for families, leisurely riders and everyone in between.

We have a huge range of bikes to suit everyone: comfort bikes, tandems, e-bikes for when you want a little extra help, and one of the widest ranges of accessibility bikes in Cornwall, including our VanRaam wheelchair-adapted bike and recumbent Ice Trikes. If you're bringing the little ones, we have child seats, tag-alongs and trailers too. And yes — the family dog is always welcome 🐾

A historic ship. A stunning estuary ride. A proper Cornish adventure. We'd say that's a pretty perfect bank holiday Monday.

Book your bikes or give us a call — we'd love to help you make a day of it.

📞 01208 813050 📧 info@bridgebikehire.co.uk 🌐 www.bridgebikehire.co.uk

Bridge Bike Hire, Eddystone Road, Wadebridge — the original Camel Trail bike hire company since 1983.