Wadebridge Accommodation

John Betjeman Centre, Wadebridge

The River Camel & Camel Estuary Wadebridge

Wadebridge Tourist Information Cornwall John Betjeman

Those moments, tasted once and never done, Of long surf breaking in the mid-day sun. A far-off blow-hole booming like a gun -"" (Cornish Cliffs, John Betjeman). You can feel the affection Betjeman had for the Camel Estuary and coast near Wadebridge in his poetry. Makes you want to go there to fell 'a sense of sea', and ponder 'How long ago did rock with rock collide To shape these hills?' The Camel Estuary is a haven for birds and wildlife, and it's now opened up via the superb Camel Trail which winds it's way from Padstow through Wadebridge and on towards Bodmin for 17 miles.

John Betjeman Centenary Celebrations are afoot (1906-2006), with a number of celebratory events running through the country, some around Polzeath and Trebertherick where Betjeman first came upon this area as a child on holiday, and where he spent his last years. He's buried in St Enodoc near his home in Trebertherick. Find out more about this gentle poet in the John Betjeman Centre in Wadebridge which is crammed with Betjeman artefacts. The JB centenary weblink lists all celebratory events for 2006. (see right)

John Betjeman Biography (1906-1984)

John Betjeman's connection with this area of the North Cornwall coast began in childhood holidays taken in the area at Trebertherick, where his manufacturer father owned a number of properties. A poet with a focus on topography, Betjeman was born of prosperous middle class parents. His father began as a cabinet maker, but built up a prosperous business which he expected Betjemann (he dropped the extra 'n' during the First World War to make his name seem less German) to continue in. The business was not however to his taste, and the rejection of it was to cause a rift in the family, and a guilt that the poet carried with him. ""Trying to teach me how to carpenter, 'Not that way, boy! When will you ever learn?' I dug the chisel deep into my hand. (Summoned by Bells)

Places, bound to inward emotions, feature strongly in Betjeman's poetry - his knowledge of architecture and topography was immense. He was assistant editor of the Architectural Review in the early 1930s. Trebetherick, Polzeath Bay and the North Cornish coast are some of the many places receiving much of his attention. Recollections of his summers in Trebetherick take up almost all of the fourth chapter of 'Summoned by Bells'. In the shorter 'Trebetherick' Betjeman's remembering of details 'Sand in the sandwiches, wasps in the tea..' builds to celebratory crescendo in the last verse with 'roller into roller curled And thundered down the rocky bay...Blessed be St Enodoc, blessed be the wave, Blessed be the springy turf, we pray, we pray to thee'. Capturing places such as the North Cornish coast, through his own memories of experience is what he does so well.

The 'cosy' John Betjeman Centre in Wadebridge is well worth a look. The centre is a charity run by Wadebridge Concern for the Aged (Betjeman would have been pleased no doubt) and has a selection of books, gifts and postcards on show. All welcome, open from 10am to 4pm Mondays to Fridays. Closed Bank Holidays. Free admission.

The John Betjeman Centre, Southern Way, Wadebridge, Cornwall, PL27 7BX. Tel: 01208 812392.

St Enodoc Church

St Enodoc Church, dating from the 13th Century, is the resting place of John Betjeman, and fitting indeed it is too! The church featured in several of his poems (see 'Sunday Afternoon Service in St. Enodoc Church, Cornwall'). His mother is buried here also, with an inscription dedicated to his father inside the church. Fans will want to view his suitably eccentric grave, but the church itself is worth the trip.

St Enodoc has received much restoration work in it's recent past. It appears to have been pretty much buried by sand at one point. It was restored to it's current glory, with new foundations and walls built around 1919-1921, by local workman. The church is easily reached via a footpath up from Daymer Bay beach, or via St Enodoc golf course!

Wadebridge & The Camel Estuary

Wadebridge is a fascinating town, with some interesting architecture hinting at it's heritage as a key medieval wool town centre. The 17 arch bridge over the River Cam is a particularly highlight. Wadebridge, before the coming of the railway, was an important waterborned trading centre, and you can still see many an old quay hinting at this past beside the river. If you like old country houses with gardens then Pencarrow, Lanhydrock and Prideaux Place all near Wadebridge are there for the viewing. Today Wadebridge is billed more as 'gateway to the Camel Trail', than for it's medieval wool town history, and of course for it's hosting of the Royal Cornwall Show.

Wadebridge is a central location for walkers and cyclists hooking into the superb Camel Trail. The Camel Trail actually follows as disused railway line, following the estuary all the way from Padstow through to Wadebridge then on through stunning woodland river valleys to the west section of Bodmin Moor. The track is ideal for visitors with mobility difficulties, or for families with young children as it's flat and level, and extremely smooth so wheelchairs do fine on this splendid trail! The distance of walks between the key towns of Padstow, Wadebridge and Bodmin are Wadebridge to Padstow 5 3/4 miles, Wadebridge to Bodmin 5 1/2 miles, Bodmin to Poly's Bridge 7 miles.

The Camel Trail is particular popular with birdwatchers, and being estuary territory and ancient woodland thrown in, the area is rather popular with a variety of birds too! Visitors can expect sublime views of creeks, sandbanks and rocky shores along the trail. In the Winter you'll see wildfowl such as wigeon, and long tailed duck, Goldeneye, Divers Grebe and plenty of waders. In the Spring and Autumn migrant birds flock to the Estuary, and in the summer expect to see heron, little egrets, cormorants, oystercatchers and gulls.

Hire bikes from either Wadebridge or Padstow and cruise down the Camel Trail. Perfect for all the family, young and old. The Camel Trail is fast becoming very popular with holidaymakers to North Cornwall.

Beach Holiday Port Isaac

Port Isaac on the North Cornwall coast up from Wadebridge was also rather bustling in the Middle Ages right upto the 19th century, in it's hey day as an important coastal port, with cargoes such as coal, pottery, and stone slate from local quarries transported in and out of it's harbour. The picture postcard harbour remains, and today Port Isaac holds a particular appeal for it's retention of olde worlde charm, combined with superb family beaches crammed with rock pools, plus an unspoilt terrain pretty much.

The old centre of the village retains it's 18th and 19th century cottages, giving it real charm and character. Port Isaac is still a bit of a centre for fishing, but it's function as a tourist centre outstrips it's previous fishing and industrial heritage by far these days.

Port Isaac's picture postcard appeal has been exploited by many a film crew, including being used in the popular 1970s Poldark series. More recently it's cropped up in 'Doc Martin', a sitcom series with Martin Clunes as village doctor, and in the film 'Saving Grace', again with Martin Clunes who must be getting pretty well known by now in the area!? Port Isaac is certainly a pretty holiday base worth considering if you're looking for a quieter, unspoilt location, yet with superb family beaches and easy access to nearby Wadebridge, Newquay and Padstow. Certainly worth a day trip at the very least.

Cornwall Folk Festival, Wadebridge

Wadebridge has another superb string to it's bow, it's annual mecca Folk Festival, the most renowned of all the Cornwall Folk Festivals. It's held annually on the August Bank holiday, and attracts a prestigious array of artists, to mention a few - Wizz Jones, Debby McClatchy, Tony Cox, Steam Chicken, Cumpass and more. Check this year's Folk Festival weblink to the right for full details!

The Wadebridge Cornwall Folk Festival is a real family event, with lots of workshops, Cornish Dancing and events for children. The choice of workshops throughout the festival celebrate Cornish heritage across the spectrum including folk/Celtic music roots, and Cornish Dance, but also reflect on other subject like Irish Dance, Acoustic Blues Guitar and more. Plus workshops for children usually include great stuff like Circus tricks and Storytelling.

Ticket prices for the whole weekend or just day tickets are very reasonable, and cheaper if you book ahead before July! Plenty of budget accommodation can be found in the Wadebridge area, including numerous campsites. It's well worth a visit, and this Cornwall Folk Festival is renowned on the Folk Festival scene (see website right).

Wadebridge Folk Festival Box Office, Tammy and John, 2 Pencarn Cottage, Lower Carnkie, Redruth, Cornwall TR16 6SP. Or email via the website.

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