Only major estuary on the north coast
Web: www.visitcornwall.com/things-to-do/nature-and-wildlife/camel-estuary-aonb-section
This unspoilt part of Cornwall's north coast shows the expanse of the Camel Estuary where it reaches the Atlantic Ocean in this view looking north east. The sands which stretch between the two headlands are known invitingly as The Doom Bar, the site of many a shipwreck.
The further headland is Pentire Point and below it can be seen the village and beach at Polzeath. The nearer headland is Stepper Point with its Coastwatch Institution lookout and daymark built in 1831 to warn shipping. The beach at the bottom of the 'photo is Trevone. The strange depression in the cliff top is known as Round Hole for some reason.
The Camel Estuary, with its contrasts of remote, rugged landscape, long stretches of sandy beaches and mild climate, is rightly claimed as one of, if not the major attraction on the North Cornish coast. The tidal waters of the estuary stretch from the mouth of the estuary some five miles south towards Wadebridge and up to a mile wide between Rock and Padstow. This large inland area of calmer waters is protected from the Atlantic ocean by Stepper Point, Pentire and a sand bar at the mouth of the estuary, giving ideal conditions for all varieties of water sports.
Padstow
North of Wadebridge on the A389. Derived from Petrocstowe, after St. Petroc who arrived here in the 6th century. Once ecclesiastical capital of Cornwall, built on hillside overlooking The Camel Estuary . Many intact medieval buildings fringing busy fishing harbour. 15th century Abbey House, 16th century Court House of Sir Walter Raleigh, Tudor mansion of Prideaux Place. Home of the centuries-old Obby Oss May Day dance. Fine beaches at St. George's Well and Trevone Bay are nearby. Camel Trail follows former railway line. Location of The National Lobster Hatchery. The infamous Doom Bar stretches across the mouth of the estuary which has been the downfall of over 300 ships. Base for the Rick Stein empire. Northern end of The Saints' Way.
Polzeath
Betjeman country, extolled in his verse. Poet buried at church of St. Enodoc on sand dunes. Fine bathing and surfing beach. Fine walking around the National Trust owned Pentire and Rumps Points. Nearby Rock, a centre for dinghy sailing, and just to the east is the Porteath Bee Centre.
Rock
Village in a small estuary inlet, frequented by the sailing fraternity. Passenger ferry from here runs across The Camel Estuary to Padstow. Family beach at Daymer Bay. Nearby 13th century St. Enodoc church where Sir John Betjeman and his mother are buried. Spectacular St. Enodoc Golf Course, said to be the best in the country. Local pub is The Pityme Inn.
Trebetherick
Village on the north bank of the estuary of The Camel Estuary, close to Polzeath. On a headland between Daymer Bay with its large sandy beach and Hayle Bay. Sir John Betjeman, Poet Laureate, who penned many a poem about this beautiful area, lies in the graveyard at St. Enodoc church, nearby.
Daymer Bay
A bay and a beach on the east side of the Camel Estuary, just south of Polzeath.
Pentire Point
Headland on the north side of The Camel Estuary.
Prideaux Place
Elizabethan Manor House near Padstow.
Stepper Point
Headland on the south side of The Camel Estuary.
The Camel Trail
Previous railway track now converted into a cycle trail from Wadebridge to Padstow.
The Doom Bar
A sandbar at the mouth of The Camel Estuary, where it meets the Sea on the north coast of Cornwall near Padstow. A Cornish folklore legend relates that a mermaid created the bar as a dying curse on the harbour after she was shot by a local man.It has accounted for more than six hundred shipwrecks since records began early in the nineteenth century.
The National Lobster Hatchery
A marine conservation, research and education charity based in Padstow.
Padstow Polzeath Rock The River Camel Trevose Head St. Merryn Wadebridge
The Coastal Footpath Trevibban Mill The Camel Trail Cornwall's Beaches