Tag: crabbing

Things to do in Cornwall by a 7 year old

By Beatrice aged 7

My name is Beatrice and I love going to Cornwall. I want to encourage other children to go to these fun places where adults can have fun too.

These are my favourite things. All of the places are near Rock Cottage and Padstow.

Pasties and Ice-Creams

I always enjoy a cocktail sized pasty (perfect for kids) to eat by Padstow harbour while I watch the boats. After my pasty, I love a Roskilly ice-cream from the little shop on the corner of the harbour. They have lots of flavours so I find it hard to choose but I like strawberry the best.

Going to the Playpark

The playpark is round the corner from Rock Cottage and only takes about 5 minutes (or less) to walk there. The playpark has a climbing frame with a big slide, a roundabout and a big basket swing. It also has a playhouse, some rockers and some normal swings. It is one of my favourite places to go because I can also run around in the field next to the playpark.

Bodyboarding

I am really good at bodyboarding. There are lots of beaches to go bodyboarding in Cornwall but my favourite is Holywell Beach, it sometimes has big waves and sometimes it has small waves. It feels like flying on to the beach. I make sure I stay between the red and yellow flags so the lifeguards can see me.

Tin Mines

I have been to a few tin mine museums. I once went to a National Trust tin mine where I got to sew a pasty made out of felt. I like watching the machines and learning about history. There is a lot for kids to do.

Making a stream on the sand at the beach

When I am at the beach, I like to make a stream. At both Polzeath beach and Holywell there is a fresh water stream running over the sand to the sea. I dig out the sand towards the stream and make a big hole with walls out of sand. I like to work with the other kids on the beach to divert the water into pools with dams. I also like to sit on my bodyboard in the pools and float around.

More ice-cream!

On the beach you can buy Mr Whippy ice-creams from the ice-cream vans which park actually on the beach on the sand! Not far to walk for ice-cream!

Crabbing

When we are at Padstow Harbour I like catching crabs and seeing the little pincers. Crabbing is where you get a net with a string and you put it into the water with some bait. When you feel a tug, you pull it back up and put it in a bucket of water. At the end you release the crabs back into the water. They “scuttle scuttle” back into the sea.

Chocolate Factory (Kernow Chocolate Factory)

What can I say about the chocolate factory? It’s fun to watch the chocolate being made and you can test the chocolate. Sometimes we have hot chocolates made in the cafĂ©.

Roly Poly Fudge

In Padstow town there is a shop called Roly Poly Fudge where you can see the fudge being made through the window. You can smell the melted fudge!!! It is very yummy.

Best bait – how to catch a crab in Padstow!

“the activity or occupation of fishing for crabs”

Collins dictionary

Have you ever been crabbing? It’s such a fun way to spend an afternoon down at Padstow Harbour. And if you are looking for the perfect crabbing Cornwall spot then read on!

I’ve spent many a day supervising little ones with buckets of water and pieces of bait, trying to lure an unsuspecting crab into our bucket to show off on the quay. There is nothing quite like the shouts of “i’ve got one, i’ve got one!” and proud little faces beaming up at you.

Waiting to catch a crab!

Crabbing is definitely a socialable affair. Friends are firmly made and best bait tips swapped – raw bacon or bits of fish? Nets or lines? It’s a slightly competitive sport. Everyone wants to be the one to have the biggest crab in their bucket!

The age old question – Which bait is best?

I’m going to come out and just say it. Bacon. Preferably smelly smoked bacon with a gnarly bit of rind. Some people will tell you that bait in the form of little fish are best, and you’ll find lots of shops selling these pre-packed fish around the harbour. BUT i still stand by bacon!

What happens to the crabs which are caught?

And at the end of the session (most people do crabbing for a couple of hours, but it’s up to you really), the crabs are released back into the harbour. I rather enjoy watching the crabs scuttle down the ramp back into the water. The crabs aren’t stupid, they head straight back to where the bait is to fatten themselves up before being caught again. Ah, the life of a Padstow Crab.

Padstow boat trips
Padstow Harbour

To catch the perfect crab – you will need:

  1. A nice big bucket, ideally a clear one.
  2. A crabbing line or crabbing net. I prefer the net as its easier but some people swear by the line.
  3. Bait. If you are organised then I suggest chopping this up in the kitchen at Rock Cottage and putting in a Tupperware tub, otherwise wrestling with raw bacon down by the water can be a bit tricky.
  4. Patience and a good spot. If you have small children with you then I strongly suggest heading down the boat launch ramp in the middle of the harbour (near the pasty shops and fish & chips – lunch? crabbing is hungry work!) because the edges of the harbour aren’t fenced and the drop is quite high to be sending crabbing nets over. Please supervise your little ones at all times because the Harbour is deep!

You’ll find all the supplies you need for sale around Padstow Harbour – it doesn’t cost much, a few pounds for the bucket and same again for net & bait.

I’d love to hear how you get on, did you manage to catch many crabs? If you’re happy to have your photos shared on our social media pages then i’d love to share your success! https://www.facebook.com/rockcottagepadstow

Why not book your holiday cottage near Padstow today to secure your summer dates? Rock Cottage is in the quaint village of Saint Issey just a couple of miles from Padstow making everything in easy reach. You can even catch the bus from a few steps away from Rock Cottage to save taking the car into Padstow and finding a parking space. Booking and availability checks can be made online www.rockcottagepadstow.com or drop me and email with any queries. Happy crabbing!

crabbing lines
worst picture of a crab ever?!
crabbing nets