Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The old Padstow-Bodmin railway was closed in the 1950s as part of Dr Beeching's in-
famous rationalisation of Britain's railways. Thankfully, the route has now been reinven-
ted as the Camel Trail, Cornwall's most popular bike path.
The flat, easygoing trail starts in Padstow and runs east through Wadebridge (5 miles
from Padstow) along the Camel Estuary before continuing on through Bodmin (10.8
miles) to Poley's Bridge (18.3 miles) on Bodmin Moor. The Padstow-Wadebridge section
makes a lovely half-day excursion, but it gets crowded - an estimated 350,000 people
tackle the Camel Trail every year. The Wadebridge-Bodmin section is usually quieter and,
in its own rugged way, just as scenic.
Bikes can be hired from both ends. In Padstow,
Padstow Cycle Hire
( 01841-533533;
01841-532594;
www.trailbikehire.co.uk
; Unit 6, South Quay; 9am-6pm)
hire out bikes for similar rates
(£12 to £15 per day, more for tandems, trikes and tagalongs for kids). However, given
Padstow's traffic problems, in summer you might find it easier to start the trail in
Wadebridge and hire bikes from
Bridge Bike Hire
(
01208-813050;
www.bridgebikehire.co.uk
)
in-
stead.
Boat Trips
MAP
BOAT TOUR
child £10/5)
runs scenic trips along the coastline, while
Padstow Sealife Safaris
( 01841-521613;
www.padstowsealifesafaris.co.uk
;
1hr cruise adult/child £22.50/15, 2hr cruise £39/25)
visits local seal and
seabird colonies.
For something racier, 15-minute
speedboat trips
(£6) zip past the treacherous sandbank of
Doom Bar and the beaches of Daymer Bay, Polzeath, Hawkers Cove and Tregirls.
The main Padstow Boat Trips website keeps listings of all the local operators.
Sleeping
Dennis Farm
( 01841-533513;
http://dennisfarm.wix.com/campsite
; sites £20.50-23.50; Easter-Sep)
Staying in Pad-
stow doesn't have to break the bank thanks to this tents-only campsite situated in a lovely
field beside the estuary. It's on the southern side of town, about a mile from the harbour;
CAMPSITE
£
