Rock is a renowned holiday resort in North Cornwall, located on the east side of the Camel Estuary, close to the Atlantic
coast. Nearby is the thriving market town of Wadebridge and the Camel Valley, home to an award-winning vineyard.
People love Rock because essentially it has remained much the same for many decades. A tranquil
spot, it avoids the hurly burly of tourist crowds and the excesses of commercial exploitation that have spoiled so many British
seaside resorts. You wont find burger bars and slot-machine gambling arcades in Rock - only quality restaurants, pubs
and cafes.
Golf, sailing and surfing
Rock offers a choice of activities. There are excellent golf courses - St Enodoc (see link) and Roserrow. There
is sailing,water-skiing, sea-fishing trips and water sports from Rock itself while windsurfing and kitesurfing
can be done at nearby Daymer Bay and boardsurfing at Polzeath - a short drive away. If you want to charter a skippered boat
for a half or whole day this can be arranged via Rock Boat Charters (see link).
Cycling
and walking
Walkers will find it easy to access the coastal path from Rock or enjoy
some fine cross country walks. Cyclists can join the Camel Trail from Padstow, after taking the short ferry trip,
from Wadebrdge, or from Dunmere near Washaway, a few miles away. Both Padstow and Wadebridge have bikes for hire.
Beaches
Rock has its own beach with Porthilly
Cove to one side of the landmark Rock sailing and Waterski Club and a wide expanse of beach on the other side.
The beach at Daymer Bay with its sandy shores, dunes and rock pools
is a beautuiful spot
close by. It can be reached on foot from Rock beach but is easiest to access by car within a few minutes drive of the centre
of Rock. There is a large car park close to the beach where cars can be left all day.
An
easy cliff top walk runs between Daymer Bay and the surfing beach of Polzeath. Alternatively Polzeath can be accessed by car
and has car parking on the beach. Polzeath affords the splendid opportunity to join in the surfing or just watch others.
There is a surfing school on the beach and wetsuits and boards can be hired.
Restaurants
Rock and its surrounding area are well served by restaurants and gastro pubs. There are
several in Rock itself, one with the Michelin-starred chef Nathan Outlaw, others in Polzeath, some good ones in nearby Port
Isaac and of course a good selection across the estuary at Padstow. Rick Stein has several restaurants in Padstow as
well as his fish and chips establishment, deli and patisserie. In Wadebridge there are a couple of good curry restaurants,
a pizzeria, Chinese restaurant and a variety of other places to enjoy good food. In summer it is advisable to book ahead.Two
pubs of interest in the Wadebridge area are The Earl of St Vincents and The Borough Arms near Washaway and Dunmere.
Places of interest
Rock is a good base from
which to explore the numerous historic houses such as Pencarrow, Trerice, Prideaux Place and Lanhydrock, old fishing ports,
stunning beaches, extreme water sports, gardens, art galleries and children's theme parks that abound in Cornwall.
Links
