Padstow

Merlin Farm Holiday Cottages are located in tranquil countryside a short walk from the sandy beach of Mawgan Porth and just 8 miles from Padstow

 

​Padstow is a historic fishing port situated on the west bank of the beautiful Camel Estuary on the North Cornwall Coast. Known for it's renowned chef owned restaurants; Rick Stein and Paul Ainsworth and a great place for sourcing freshly caught seafood.​

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The most important day in Padstow's calendar is May Day (Obby Oss Day), which is celebrated on the 1st May every year. It is not unusual to see 30,000 people crammed into this little town on the day when Padstonians from all over the world return to their roots. The origins of the Obby Oss are numerous. Some say the celebration has its roots in pagan times, others that it's a rain maker, a fertility symbol, a deterrent to a possible landing by the French some centuries ago or perhaps a welcome to the summer.

 

Locals spend the night decorating the town’s streets with flags, flowers and greenery complete with a maypole and the following morning two "osses", one red and one blue emerge from their stables. The “osses”, swirling and dancing proceed through Padstow's streets taunted by a Teazer, who leads the dance with theatrical movements. The accompanying retinue are dressed all in white with their costumes decorated with ribbons and sprays of cowslips and bluebells. As the procession moves around the town, dancers perform a traditional gyrating dance to the sound of musicians and drummers. Last, but not least, are the followers, young and old who join the procession every year singing of the traditional May Song.​​​