Community Assembly of Padstow

The Community Assembly of Padstow is located in a picturesque fishing port set amidst stunning beaches. It has become a must-visit foodie destination, thanks in large part to the well known chef, Rick Stein. This charming town, part of the ancient pilgrim route known as the Saints’ Way, has a pretty working harbour that may have been in use as far back as 2,500 BC.

In English, Padstow was originally named Adelstow after Æthelstan who was reported by John Leland to be 'chief governor of privileges onto it'. Adelstow was commuted into Petroc-stow, Petroc-stowe, or Petrock's Place, after the Welsh missionary Saint Petroc, who landed at Trebetherick around AD 500. After his death a monastery (Lanwethinoc, the church of Wethinoc, an earlier holy man) was established here which was of great importance until Petroces stow (probably Padstow) was raided by the Vikings in 981, according to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. Whether a result of this attack or later, the monks moved inland to Bodmin, taking with them the relics of St Petroc.