Upmarket riverside resort
Web: www.visitcornwall.com/destinations/rock
St. Minver Lowlands Parish Council
Rock could hardly be less appropriately named as its popularity is largely due to the long stretches of find sandy beaches washed by the tidal waters of the Camel estuary. Rightly acclaimed as one of the major water-sports centres in Cornwall, sailing, surfing, water skiing, canoeing and rowing are all activities which can be carried on in the relatively calm waters of the estuary. Rock Sailing & Water Ski Club are situated on the Quay at Rock and there is a thriving sailing school and ski school both operating from further along the beach near the pontoon; boats can be hired for all water sports, as well as for fishing and bird watching. The Black Tor ferry runs from Rock to Padstow all year round during daylight hours and there is a Water Taxi available for late night "revellers". With the increase in water activities, the RNLI have now stationed a lifeboat on the Ferry beach, providing cover in case of emergencies. The renowned St. Enodoc Golf Club has two challenging courses to offer and there is scenic walking country over the coastal footpath and inland routes. The village is accessed from minor roads off the B3314.
The early 21st century has seen extensive building work and increased prosperity for Rock, there a large number of holiday homes, as well as a number of retail outlets. Rock is also home to Sharp's Brewery, an independent real ale brewery established in 1994. The brewery was taken over by Molson Coors in 2011 to secure the Doom Bar bitter brand.
Nearby, Daymer Bay and Trebetherick have a huge appeal to all, from the young to the not so young. This is Betjeman country and unquestionably "special" - peaceful, exhilarating and magnificent, with wide open spaces in which to be at one with nature. St. Enodoc Church, once buried in the sand, is within walking distance of the beach at Daymer and is now the final resting place of Sir John Betjeman. As Polzeath is to surfers, Daymer Bay is to windsurfers - for the waves rolling up the estuary and for the calmer waters off Rock - yet there is enormous appeal too for small children with buckets and spades and "spuddling" in the rock pools. There is golf to be enjoyed at nearby St. Enodoc and Roserrow and the coastal footpath between Polzeath and St. Enodoc is suitable for wheelchair users - a rare chance for the less fortunate to be able to appreciate the stunning scenery of the head-lands and estuary.
To the south is the small coastal settlement of Porthilly with St. Michael's Church situated on the bank of Porthilly Cove.
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.
The Padstow to Rock ferry crosses the tidal River Camel between Padstow and Rock. The ferry carries pedestrians and cyclists only (not vehicles) to the beach on the north side of the estuary. There has been a ferry at Black Rock Passage since 1337, the right originally belonging to the Duchy manor of Penmayne. Today the ferry operates on demand, every day in the summer and Monday to Saturday in the winter. The service being operated by Padstow Harbour Commissioners.
The RNLI has operated a lifeboat station at Rock for just over ten years. Today's D class lifeboat is a re-engineered and updated version of the original D class.
Porthilly Spirit - mid May.
Rock Oyster Festival - July.
Camel Estuary Padstow Polzeath Wadebridge The Coastal Footpath
Cornwall's Ferrys Cornish Lifeboat Stations St. Kew Sharp's Brewery