The Local Area

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The Camel Trail is an 18 mile largely traffic free, surfaced and virtually level multi use trail. It provides access to the beautiful Cornish countryside along a disused railway line between Wenfordbridge, Bodmin, Wadebridge and Padstow. The nearest bike hire is from Wadebridge.

The trail is suitable for walkers, cyclists, horse-riders and wheel-chair users.  It falls into three main sections:

• Padstow to Wadebridge - 5.5 Miles (8.8Km)
• Wadebridge to Bodmin (Boscarne) - 5.75 Miles (9.25Km)
• Bodmin to Wenfordbridge - 6.25 Miles (10.1 Km)

Away from the coastal delights of Cornwall sits another area of stunning beauty. Compact in size, though overflowing with things to see and do, Bodmin Moor is the rugged heart of Cornwall. You are spoilt for choice when it comes to walking. The moor is crossed by the Smugglers Way, running from Boscastle to Looe taking in the two highest hills, Brown Willy and Roughtor.  There are countless public footpaths to explore if you have a map at hand.

And if there isn’t an ancient legend, modern writers will make one up. Daphne Du Maurier’s novel based at Jamaica Inn is just that. There is no evidence that the inn, long a favourite of travelers across the moor, was ever a haunt of smugglers, and yet it’s a story that continues to bring people to the often bleak landscape of Bodmin Moor every year.

Tintagel Castle - owned and cared for by English Heritage – is one of Cornwall’s most spectacular locations. A place where history meets legend, it’s a beautiful place oozing magic and history and a fascinating attraction for a family day out.

Perhaps one of its main attractors is the stunning award-winning cantilever footbridge, which was opened in 2019, connecting the headland to the castle. The magnificent Atlantic Ocean views from the bridge and beyond are worth the trip alone.

One of Cornwall’s most famous castles, albeit in remains, exploring the legend of King Arthur can be challenging. Tintagel Castle is a historic site situated on the clifftops of North Cornwall and due to the rugged coastal landscape, there are steep slopes, sheer drops and uneven surfaces. Those planning of visiting with a pushchair may want to reconsider as to leave the site you’ll have to navigate 140 steep steps.

Made famous by Rick Stein over the last 30 years or so, there’s much more to Padstow than just great places to eat. It’s still a working harbour and it’s surrounded by glorious beaches.

It’s not all fine restaurants; there's cafes, bistros, tapas bars, cosy tearooms and a handful of welcoming pubs all dotted around the harbour. And there’s always Cornish pasties and traditional fish and chips if you fancy a quick take-away, just watch out for the gulls!

Polzeath is a small village situated on the north coast of Cornwall, home to a fantastic beach and one of the world’s most renowned surfing destinations. The beach is a magnificent stretch of golden sand situated between Pentire Head to the north and the mouth of the Camel Estuary. 

It was a favourite haunt of the late Poet Laureate, Sir John Betjeman, and is celebrated in some of his verse.

Polzeath is a haven for surfers and beach lovers alike with lifeguards on the beach during the daytime in the summer season. Although generally a safe, sandy beach, there can be large surf with rips, and care should be taken at times. Just to the north of the main beach, and joined when the tide is out, is the quieter Pentire Haven beach.