Short answer: The National Lobster Hatchery on Padstow's South Quay costs £9 for adults, £7 for children aged 3 to 15 and £29 for a family of four. Tickets last 12 months. It is open every day, 10am to 4pm. Parking is pay by app in the Railway Car Park. Most people take 15 to 45 minutes, so pair it with a harbour walk or boat trip.
The National Lobster Hatchery is a small marine conservation centre on South Quay in Padstow, where you can see baby lobsters being reared before they are released into the sea. It is quick, cheap and good for children, so it works best as one stop in a Padstow day, not the whole day.
The hatchery's visitor centre page lists these prices:
Tickets are valid for 12 months from the date of first entry, which is useful if you visit Padstow every year or want to come back on a second day. A reviewer on Google noticed that this is not widely advertised. The hatchery says every penny goes to funding its conservation work. Buy online through the hatchery tickets page or call 01841 533877. The hatchery page does not say whether under 3s go free, so ask when booking.
The hatchery says it is open every day, 10am to 4pm, and its visitor centre page lists no closures. It has run special events, such as a Skeletons of the Sea event over October half term, so the building can be busier at those times.
The hatchery promises close-up views of rarely seen lobster babies, pregnant lobster mamas and giant lobsters, plus other coastal creatures. Google reviewers also mention a short film upstairs called "A Clawsome Tale", which one called very Wes Anderson. Staff on the ticket desk get good comments for being friendly and knowledgeable, and one reviewer adopted a lobster during their visit.
It is rated 4.5 from 1,156 Google reviews. Reviewers like the mission and the friendly staff, and say it is good for children and that adults learn a surprising amount about the industry. The honest downside is size. One reviewer said you can get through the building in about 15 minutes, and that the small space fills quickly with families, getting loud. Another said it was short but interesting.
Our view is that it is worth the money if you have children aged roughly 4 to 10, are curious about conservation, or are looking for a dry half hour in Padstow. It is less good as a headline attraction for adults on their own. Because the ticket lasts a year, you lose nothing by returning with a different child on another day.
The hatchery says there is a paid car park outside, payable through the Ringo app (Railway Car Park, location code 2849). It warns that all car parks in Padstow get extremely busy at peak times. If you want to avoid the harbour traffic, read our Padstow park and ride guide and our guide to Padstow parking on peak summer mornings. Car park charges are not listed on the hatchery page, so read the app before you pay.
The hatchery says a replacement stair lift was installed on 18 September 2026 and that it is looking into longer-term options. A Google reviewer said there was no accessible way to reach the upper floor and found the small space claustrophobic, but that review may pre-date the new lift. If step-free access matters, phone the hatchery on 01841 533877 before you travel and ask exactly which areas the lift serves.
The hatchery does not state its dog policy on the pages we read, so ring before you bring one. For dog rules in nearby eateries, see our guide to dogs at Padstow harbour restaurants.
The hatchery does not state a visit time. Based on reviewer comments, allow 15 to 45 minutes, longer if the film is playing or the building is full. Then you are right beside the harbour. Our Padstow boat trips guide, crabbing in Padstow and best ice cream in Padstow all fit neatly around it. If the weather turns, our indoor things to do in Padstow when it rains has more ideas. For wider planning, see the Padstow town guide, visiting Padstow for the first time and October half term in Padstow with kids.
Adults pay £9, children aged 3 to 15 pay £7, and a family ticket for 2 adults and 2 children is £29, according to the hatchery's visitor centre page.
Every day, 10am to 4pm. The hatchery's page lists no closures.
The hatchery says tickets are valid for 12 months from the date of first entry.
There is a paid car park outside, paid by the Ringo app (Railway Car Park, location code 2849). The hatchery warns that Padstow car parks get extremely busy at peak times.
The hatchery does not say. A Google reviewer got round in about 15 minutes, so allow 15 to 45 minutes depending on crowds and the film.
The hatchery installed a replacement stair lift on 18 September 2026 and is looking at longer-term options. Phone 01841 533877 to check what is reachable.
Times, prices and dates are the businesses' and organisers' to change, so check before you travel. Spotted something we've got wrong? Tell us and we'll fix it.
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