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The Camel Estuary
The Camel Estuary is one of the most distinctive parts of North Cornwall, bringing together harbour towns, sandy beaches, wooded valleys, riverside paths and busy market towns within a relatively small area.
The Camel River winds inland through beautiful countryside before opening out into the estuary between Padstow and Rock. Around it are places with very different characters, from Padstow’s harbour and restaurants to the beaches around Rock and Polzeath, and the market town atmosphere of Wadebridge further inland.
This guide covers the towns on the Camel Estuary and the land around them. Use the links to the right to explore Padstow, Polzeath, Rock and Wadebridge, or visit our surrounding area guide for places to visit further afield in Cornwall.
The contrast between the bustling water around Padstow and Rock and the quieter inland stretches beside the Camel Trail is part of the area’s appeal. Visitors can enjoy fine dining, surfing, sailing, walking, cycling, birdwatching, beaches and peaceful countryside, often within a short journey of one another.
Wadebridge is a natural hub for the estuary, sitting on the Camel Trail and within easy reach of Rock, Padstow, Polzeath and Bodmin Moor. It is a useful base for holidays and days out, with independent shops, local services and easy access to the surrounding coast and countryside. Our Wadebridge guide includes more about the town and nearby places of interest.
Not far inland, Bodmin is a town steeped in history, with hidden architecture, local businesses and Victorian buildings such as the Shire Hall in the centre. The Bodmin and Wenford Railway is also nearby, while parts of the old railway route have helped shape the popular Camel Trail.
Padstow and Rock helped to set this small area of the North Cornwall coast apart, but Wadebridge and Polzeath have become just as important to its character. Together they make the Camel Estuary an exceptional place for holidays, days out and year-round living.
For visitors planning a wider trip around the county, our Cornwall surrounding area guide looks beyond the estuary to places such as Port Isaac, Bodmin, Fowey, Pentewan, St Ives and the Lizard.
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