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National Lobster Hatchery Padstow Review

The National Lobster Hatchery Padstow Review – Over half term, while we were staying near Bodmin we visited Padstow a couple of times during our stay. Once to try crabbing off the harbour wall and another to visit the new National Lobster Hatchery attraction which was opened in 2019. As soon as the boys saw it they wanted to visit the baby lobsters.

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The National Lobster Hatchery Padstow Review

So how did we get on? Turns out that it is a great way to spend a rainy day in Padstow and is suitable for the whole family.

Where is the National Lobster Hatchery?

The National Lobster Hatchery is located in Padstow, right next to the harbour car park. The Harbour car park is probably the biggest car park in the centre of the village. Although if you want a parking space then I would suggest that you arrive before 10.30 am. And perhaps even earlier in peak season. Although the hatchery doesn’t open until 10 am there are plenty of places to grab a coffee or something to snack on in the village. The building itself is clearly visible from the car park with giant pictures of young lobsters on the front.

Use the postcode PL28 8BY for the harbour carpark. We were lucky when we visited and managed to get the car park space at the harbour. It costs £3 for two hours or £6.50 for four hours. If you are cycling the camel trail and have your own bike then there is a place where you can leave it under cover and securely right next door.

What is the National Lobster Hatchery?

The National Lobster Hatchery in Padstow is a marine conservation and education charity that aims to protect and preserve the vulnerable lobster population in the UK.

The hatchery raises juvenile lobsters from eggs, nurtures them in a controlled environment, and releases them back into the Cornish waters when they are strong enough to survive. Once they have been given a good start. As a charitable organization it carries out essential research work into vulnerable lobster populations and pioneering marine conservation work on the European lobster. I had no idea that the wild lobster population was so endangered until we visited.

How much does it cost?

In comparison with other local attractions prices are really reasonable. Tickets can be purchased on the door or in advance online. They cost £7.50 for an adult, £4 for a child and £19.75 for a family. They also offer a Winter pass which can be brought online and runs from the beginning of November to the end of February each year.

Each ticket converts to an annual pass meaning that you can keep coming back for the whole year. Perfect for a budding marine biologist.

What to expect

This is such a great place to visit during the school holidays as we did. I was surprised by just how much the boys got into it. I think this was partly due to the helpful friendly staff on hand to answer any questions. They had a special trail running which helped hold Harry’s interest as he needed to spot all the crabs. So what is included in your entrance fee?

A tour of the hatchery where you learn about the different stages of their life cycle.
There are lots of information boards talking about the fantastic local marine life and the Lobster story. How the coastal communities and local fishermen are adapting to give the lobsters a fighting chance through sustainable fishing practices.
You get to see lobsters of all different ages all the way through from pregnant lobsters through to those that are several years old in their own tanks.
Upstairs there are various educational activities for the children to enjoy with a view out across to Rock beach.
You have the opportunity to adopt your own lobster to support the hatchery’s work with prices starting from £5 up to £12 for a family of baby lobster. There is also a small gift shop.
Keep an eye on their website to see upcoming events and updates on the great work that they do.

How long do you need

We spent around an hour and a half looking around the award-winning visitor centre. As although it is not a very large building there is plenty to see and do. We could have spent longer doing some of the activities. We spent around an hour and a half visiting and thats with an impatient seven-year-old.

Visiting the National Lobster Hatchery was really good fun. If we lived more locally then we would definitely be making use of the year entry our tickets provide.