WadebridgeOfficial Town Guide

What’s on The secret success of Wadebridge’s events In the past The story of this 14th Century town On the Map & listings Coasting, ambling Where to eat, stay, and wildlife watching shop and celebrate

©Stuart Firth

WelcomeMake yourself at home Welcome to our town — thanks for dropping in.

You’ll find everything you need here, from greenspace straddling the Camel River to boutique shopping, finefood and an assorted events schedule.

We’ve been here for a while (since the 14th Century to be exact); our history is embedded in trade routes and our heritage crammed with the stories of our people.

We share the tranquility of the Camel Trail with our neighbours — a place where wildlife flourishes,ramblers amble and cyclists just coast.

And at the heart of it all you’ll find us, the ‘Bridgers’ — a proud, welcoming community some 8,000-strong.

Come on in, see what we’ve done with the place, and let us guide you through the streets of Wadebridge.

Written, designed and printed in Editorial: Craig Blackburn Blue Scribe Media . 07870 167 974 Published by Wadebridge Town www.bluescribemedia.co.uk Council © 2016 Design: David Ortiz Illustrations: Rachael Jenkins www.ortizdesignservices.co.uk Map: Gorilla Guides www.gorillaguides.org Print: PLC Media www.plcmedia.co.uk Cover image © Stuart Firth image Cover Shop A buzzing collective of 12 independent and inventive shop owners with a loyal following await you in the town centre, where an old-fashioned community spirit prevails.

What’s on Profile On the trail Wadebridge has Open a window into a Once a railway line, the harnessed the power of welcoming community Camel Trail is now a its people and businesses with Richard Hamm, tranquil sanctuary for to build the most who talks about his peace-seekers, amblers successful schedule of ‘controversial’ past, his and cyclists, and so happenings in its history, faith and the strong much more lies off the from traditional events to glue that binds (Wade) beaten track for wildlife- modern street parties. Bridgers together. watchers and ramblers. 08 14 18 2 WELCOME 10 THINGS Step back in time, go to market, take in a tea dance or play in the parks; sing with a choir, get active or enjoy some live music. Here are 10 things to do in Wadebridge. IN THE PAST Wadebridge was once a thriving port, a centre for trade and a market centre, but not until the ‘Bridge’ was added to the ‘Wade’. Here’s a brief history of the town. WHAT’S ON SHOP A buzzing collective of independent and inventive shop owners with a loyal following await you in the town centre, where an old-fashioned community spirit prevails. PROFILE MAP Find your bearings in this ancient market town, with a map of the main sights, landmarks and routes. ON THE TRAIL ACTIVE Wadebridge is a playground for active people, from traditional, outdoor team sports to walking, cycling and canoeing, plus a leisure centre with a swimming pool, gym and sports hall. WALK As well as the Camel Trail, walking routes stretch out in every direction from the town, taking you along the estuary, deep into hidden valleys and through attractive villages. EAT Cafes, restaurants, take-aways and street food vendors proffer everything from Cantonese to Bangladeshi and Thai to Italian, plus English staples. Welcome to foodie heaven. EVENTS A roundup of the main annual events in the town, from the Folk Festival to the carnival. STAY Listings of hotels, restaurants and B&Bs in the town, with phone numbers, addresses and websites. USEFUL NUMBERS Telephone numbers (and other useful information) you may need while you’re in the town.

3 10 Things to do

ou could go shopping or cycle (or walk) along the Camel Trail, but, really, Wadebridge has so much more to offer. Here are 10 things to do in this Y ancient market town. 1 Get cultured 3 Go to market Enjoy live broadcasts of The Wadebridge Country Market on a West End plays and musical Thursday morning in Wadebridge Town performances at The Regal Hall sells local produce such as fish, Cinema in the heart of Wadebridge. The meat, cakes, pastries, jams, honey, eggs, cinema, on The Platt, has two screens which plants, seasonal fruit and vegetables, plus also show the latest movie releases, but the various arts and crafts. During the week, live broadcasts are a breath of fresh air. For you can also visit independent retailers more information visit: www.wtwcinemas. long-lost from many Cornish towns, but co.uk or call 01208 812791. which remain a mainstay of Wadebridge, including: butchers, a greengrocer, bakeries, a fishmonger, fudge seller, wine shop and 2 Poetry, yoga and a tea dance delicatessens — that’s a picnic waiting to The John Betjeman Centre on Southern happen. Way, which was formerly the railway station and ticket office, is now a community centre where weekly yoga, dance and art sessions 4 Step back in time take place, as well as a tea dance. For poetry Visit the museum at Trebur House, on the fans there’s also a memorabilia room corner of Cross Street and Chapel Lane, dedicated to the life of John Betjeman. For to learn about Wadebridge’s past which more information visit www.johnbetjeman. stretches back more than six centuries. org.uk or call: 01208 812392. Opening hours are 11am-3pm, Monday to Saturday.

4 10 Things to do

or on a stand-up paddleboard. If you prefer to exercise indoors, the leisure centre has a modern gym, squash courts, a 25m pool and sports hall running classes in everything from badminton to martial arts.

7 Beer, wine and live music Wadebridge attracts local musicians who sing and play in pubs and bars around the town, from the Bridge on the Wool pub to Hewitt’s Bar and Kitchen. There’s a monthly folk night at The Ship Inn and an open mic night called Spot The Dog at Hewitt’s.

8 Let your voice out 5 Playtime Singing is great for the soul; the town has Wadebridge has a wealth of green open four choirs: Wadebridge Choral Society (a spaces for picnics, sports or just reclining mixed choir which has been running for next to the river. It has three council-owned more than 30 years), Wadebridge Male Voice parks and playing fields. Park Choir (formed in 1920), InTune (a ladies’ has two playgrounds, one for under-fives, choir which rehearses in four locations the other for under-14s. This is also where across Cornwall) and Moor Harmony (a the bowls, tennis and cricket club are based ladies' barbershop chorus). Wadebridge and the town’s war memorial can be found. Choral Society performs three times a year Jubilee Field has a large grassy area for and runs a November choral workshop. games along with benches for picnics. A wadebridgemalevoicechoir.org.uk wooden play park sits alongside the town wadebridgechoral.org.uk council’s car park, also next to the river. intunechoir.co.uk/wadebridge There’s a skateboard ramp and grinding facebook.com/moorharmonychorus rails, a basketball area and graffiti wall. To get to Coronation Park — which has fantastic views over Wadebridge to Moor — 9 Take a walk or get on your bike Oh, go on then. Walking and cycling are two take the zigzag footpath from Polmorla Road of the top activities around Wadebridge, so (or travel by car from Whiterock Road). this needs to be in the top 10, but there are

more walking routes worth exploring which 6 Get on the ball take you far above the Camel Trail. See pages 24-25 for more routes. (or not) The Wadebridge community runs clubs in bowls, cricket, tennis, rugby 10 Eat and shop Shopping and dining in Wadebridge is and football. But if ball sports a dream. Boutique stores, local produce aren’t your thing, try floating and regular events combine to make for a down the in a perfect day out. canoe (with the canoe club)

5 In the past

A postcard by Wadebridge photographer J. E. Oatey Image courtesy of Wadebridge Museum

rom its origins in the 14th Century, Wadebridge has had a fascination with bridges and a strong link with the railway. It also drew attention from Cromwell during the English Civil War and is surrounded by pre- Fhistoric structures and medieval churches. What’s in a name? Strategic position Wadebridge was once a thriving port, a The town prospered, and, by the 17th centre for trade and a market centre, but not Century, it was in such an important until the ‘Bridge’ was added to the ‘Wade’. strategic position that Oliver Cromwell The first settlers named the town Wade (the reportedly sent more than 1,000 infantrymen first mention was in 1382) because of a ford to ‘take the bridge’ during the English Civil in the River Camel, which had a chapel on War (1640s). each side — people prayed for a safe crossing at one chapel before giving thanks in the other after wading across at low tide. But it was a treacherous crossing, and the vicar of One of the first railway lines Egloshayle, who was concerned about the in the country number of deaths, planned a stone bridge, With the arrival of the Bodmin and which was added in the 1460s. Then the town Wadebridge Railway in 1834 the town become Wadebridge. received another trading boost by becoming a pivotal transport link for stone, china clay and other heavy goods. This was only the Bridging the gap sixth railway to open in the entire country The bridge brought the town to life, — before any London lines — and the Camel transforming it into a busy port, a trading locomotive was one of the first to carry route and market centre. Schooners sailed up passengers, all 400 of them. It was connected the Camel Estuary to discharge and reload to the Great Western and their cargoes and barges made their way up lines in the late 1800s, and, in 1899, the line to Clapper, Egloshayle, with sand taken by was extended along the Camel Estuary to horse and cart to neighbouring farms. .

6 In the past Typhoid leads to town council By the end of the 19th Century, Wadebridge was thriving, yet it still had no town council. It took a serious outbreak of typhoid fever, in 1897, to correct that. After drinking water became contaminated, the townspeople called for a cleaner water supply and better disposal of sewage — the town council was created to oversee this, which led to the building of a new reservoir on the hill to the south of the town in 1900.

‘The most beautiful train journey I know’ The drastic reorganisation of the national rail network in the Sixties led to the closure of the Wadebridge line by 1978. The disused station buildings became the Betjeman Centre (for activities and exhibitions), celebrating the former poet laureate, Sir John Betjeman, who A ‘challenging’ celebrity link famously wrote that the five-mile section of In 1991, the town’s fascination with line beside the Camel from Wadebridge to Padstow was “the most beautiful train journey bridges was re-lived when green space I know.” Despite the end of the railway, and on the Egloshayle side of the river, with the closure of the cattle market around the children’s play areas and sports fields same time, the town evolved by tapping into (including facilities for cricket, tennis Cornwall’s growing tourism market. Read and bowls) was linked to the town centre more about the Camel Trail on pages 18-21. by a new pedestrian bridge. Anneka Rice, famous for the BBC programme Clearing the bottleneck Challenge Anneka, accepted the task Wadebridge was an arterial route through of constructing the bridge in a single Cornwall, and the town became gridlocked weekend. To this day it is known locally during the peak tourist season. The bypass was built in 1993, and despite worries that as Anneka’s Bridge, although its official it could be the death knell for retail trade, name is Challenge Bridge. Wadebridge prospered once more. Read more about how the bypass The best place to live affected retailers on pages 12-13. In recent years Wadebridge has been

cited among the best places to live Shouting about our history in the South West. According to the Wadebridge and District Museum, which annual Sunday Times’ Best Places opened in 2007, is a valuable resource for to Live guide, in 2013, it was number visitors, schools and local people. The one (out of 50) and received further museum closed for a while, reopening in 2013. It’s on the corner of Cross Street and Chapel mentions in the following years’ Lane; opening hours are 11am-3pm, Monday editions. to Saturday. www.wadebridgemuseum.btck.co.uk 7 What’s on Adrian Langdon © Adrian The secret to Wadebridge’s event success rom the oldest events which keep the town’s heritage and history alive, to the newest, Wadebridge has harnessed the power of its people and businesses to build the most successful series of happenings in its Fhistory, which are often the envy of other towns. What’s the secret? Within the last decade, Wadebridge has “We get calls from other town chambers been slowly building up a critical mass of asking us the secret to building so much event organisation. Community spirit has engagement,” says Dominic Walford, from always been strong in the town, but, since the town’s chamber of commerce, which 2005, the event schedule has been filling organises some events — Christmas late- out nicely. night shopping, Camel River Festival and Big Lunch — and helps to promote many others. The town hosts events showcasing agriculture, local produce, handicrafts, and “There’s no secret,” he adds. “Wadebridge grand celebrations of music and dance, is a community town no doubt about it. We from folk to jazz, swing and big band. In have a great community which is willing to recent years the river has also become the organise things like this. We engage with focal point for a festival of its own. the people and businesses support it, which makes it all possible.”

8 What’s on

© Wadebridge Chamber of Commerce

© Simon Stuart-Miller © Stuart Firth Big changes There have been some additions to the event Townsend, says: “Almost every town in schedule in recent years, like Bike Lights (a Cornwall had a festival like this at one time — winter, nighttime parade under pedal power), music is part of our culture. Big Lunch (where Molesworth Street turns into a dining room) and Camel River Festival “But, while many have died out, ours has kept (which attracts up to 3,000 people). going, and it keeps growing in numbers. Its success is down to the people, as Wadebridge From the oldest events, like the carnival, is attracting lots of older people who are folk festival, garden produce show and willing to help, and the school children, choir a traditional festival harking back to the singers and other performers who enjoy the harvesting roots of this ancient market town, opportunity to compete.” to some of the more recent shindigs, the town hosts more than 20 annual affairs. That’s One of the three choirs in the town, not to mention one-off events based around Wadebridge Choral Society, also holds charity and educational causes. regular annual events, like its Spring, Summer and Christmas concerts.

Keeping Cornwall’s Wadebridge Lions runs an annual musical heritage alive in music extravaganza at Pencarrow House, which, in recent years, has inspired the townspeople to One of the oldest events in the town, dating dress up in 1940s outfits and dance the night back to 1925, is the annual Festival of Music away (it started out as a jazz festival and the and Speech. Chairwoman, and former head theme is always changing). of music at Wadebridge School, Janet 9 What’s on

© agripicture.com/ Royal Cornwall Show

A Royal Cornwall affair We are a vibrant, Organisers on the outskirts of the buzzing town town have also upped their game. The Royal Cornwall Events Centre punching above (formerly the Royal Cornwall our weight to Showground) hosts more than 300 deliver across- events each year, from large-scale exhibitions and festivals — like the-board family Royal Cornwall Show (RCS), Creation entertainment Fest and Wadebridge Wheels — to dog — you might not shows and small meetings. expect a small town The RCS itself attracts more than 100,000 to lay on so much. visitors each year from across the South West and beyond, with 1,000 trade stands from a wide range of British retail sectors. It’s also Cornwall’s biggest annual event, full of critical mass of sorts: the more people exhibits, entertainment, competitions and all we engage, the more people want to get the best in food and farming. involved.”

Adrian is also a big fan of the Regal Cinema’s live broadcast series. “I can walk out of my A ‘critical mass’ house and straight into the West End — it’s Adrian Jones, from the Chamber of great.” Commerce, agrees with Dominic that the secret is the community: “We are all bouncing For a list of Wadebridge’s main annual events, off each other’s energy and it’s reaching a turn to pages 28-29.

10 What’s on © Stuart Firth © Wadebridge Chamber of Commerce Chamber © Wadebridge 11 Shop

adebridge’s retailers have The layout is also compact, but interesting. survived the threat from As well as Molesworth Street and The out-of-town supermarkets, Platt, there are lots of interesting alleys and W arcades, like Palmorla Walk. online shopping, the end of the rail link and a new bypass. What remains is a buzzing collective of independent, Bravo resilient and inventive shop owners Michele Poynter, with a loyal, local following and an who set up specialist lingerie and old-fashioned community feel. swimwear store, Mish, in late 2015 Traditional retailers on Eddystone Wadebridge is one of the few Cornish towns Court, says she was with a butcher, greengrocer, fishmonger and attracted to the town bakery. Most small towns have suffered at the for the community feel, the number of hands of supermarkets and other chain stores independent retailers and the footfall. “The buying in bulk and slashing prices (as well as real pull for Wadebridge is the fact that other market pressures and consumer trends). it’s a self sufficient town,” she says. “You can go shopping there and buy absolutely But no, not in Wadebridge. The retail everything you need — it genuinely is a environment in the town is booming. From town that has it all. new boutique clothing stores, to the stalwarts of the town, like cookware and lighting shop, Glanvilles, and bakery, Barnecutts The sheer number of (both established in the 1930s), the range is phenomenal for such a small population independents means it (around 8,000). has a positive impact. As well as the Wadebridge Country Market Also we compliment on a Thursday morning in the town hall, each other with our where traders sell local produce and crafts, there’s a fudge-seller, independent wine offerings too. Everyone merchant and delicatessen. is just really friendly, Clothing stores, including shops offering and there’s a real sense specialised services, like Mish (where you of community feel. can get a bra fitting), are dotted around the town, covering every possible occasion, from surfing to evening wear; with a shoe to fit every foot, from the likes of J Shoes, which has been in the town since 1978. Jewel in the crown It’s a feeling echoed by Stuart Robertson, There are even shops selling antiques and who has run the jewellers on Molesworth books, arts, crafts, games, stationery, fabrics, Street since 1998 (and owned it since 2003): sports equipment, nursery equipment, “Shopkeepers take a great pride and effort homewares, hardware, electrical goods, in their shops and are passionate about what carpets, musical instruments and…the list they do. Most are independent and employ goes on and on. local people. We also take care not to cross

12 Shop

over on stock, and we signpost customers to Countrywise (an outdoor clothing and each other. I think that works incredibly well.” equipment shop), on Eddystone Road, for more than three decades, adds: “Wadebridge But it was not always this prosperous. does seem to be bucking the trend. In many “Before the bypass was built in 1993, ways, we are one of the few towns which can Wadebridge was the arterial route through say that the bypass actually did us a favour. Cornwall, and Molesworth Street was the One of the reasons is that we have some main trunk road through the town,” he adds. terrific retailers and we have a tremendous “As a result, Wadebridge suffered dreadfully local following. We are also very fortunate — people passed through and didn’t stop. — we sit in a very good position on the But, since the bypass, it’s been fantastic.” Cornwall map.” Bill Frisby, who has been running

13 Profile

A window into a welcoming community

ichard Hamm (or ‘Mr Lambray’ as he’s known in the town) moved into Wadebridge in the Seventies. Here he talks about his ‘controversial’ past, Rhis faith and the strong glue that binds Bridgers together. were lots of small independent shops and Open arms everybody knew each other.” Originally hailing from Hampshire, Richard moved to Wadebridge as an auctioneer’s Before long Richard was starting to make apprentice with Button, Menhenitt and a name for himself as an auctioneer and Mutton when he was just 17 — that was in “outspoken” town councillor (the youngest 1973. “I was welcomed with open arms by at 21, still a record today). He married a local the community and did my training there,” girl, Rosie Glanville, whose shop has been he says. in the town for almost 100 years, and set up Lambrays Auction Rooms in Polmorla Walk, “Back then Wadebridge was very intimate holding sale days on a Monday. and structured by a lot of families who had lived here for many generations. There

14 Profile

Going once, Putting something back In 2008, he helped set up Wadebridge Youth going twice Project under the umbrella of Wadebridge “The auction used to Churches Together. In 2010 he joined be on market day when the team at Wadebridge Foodbank and Wadebridge had a StoreHouse, and, in 2015, he helped set up a cattle market, so all community cafe, Loaves and Fishes, which the farmers’ wives helps feed people who are on low incomes or would come in; it in need of companionship. was a great social thing,” says Richard. “The cattle market was really important to Wadebridge. The wives would come shopping, the farmers would go to the market and have a pint or When I first came two — and there was a buzz about it. It was to Wadebridge as a good for local traders too as it brought new teenager, it was like people into town.” Wadebridge cared He admits his auction house was somewhat for me, adopted unorthodox, “pushing the boundaries” by displaying controversial art work, me, so by putting for example, by pop artist, Peter Blake, something back in Plymouth painter, Robert Lenkiewicz, I’m caring for the and a copy of Tate Modern’s The Bricks (‘Equivalent VIII’ by Carl Andre), asking: community in return. ‘Offers please?’

“I love art,” he says, “so we were introducing other people to art as they walked past. It Being a Bridger Richard’s always been interested in learning was for publicity mostly, and very tongue- about art and social history for his career, in-cheek.” to make valuations more interesting: “It’s a bit like becoming a detective, finding the But, after 24 years, Lambrays closed — “I stories of real people behind the pieces to miss it like crazy,” he says — and the art make them come alive.” lover/auctioneer, started freelancing for other auctioneers around the South West. He’s at one with himself when he’s cooking, watching a Harrison Ford movie (or a French period drama film like Jean de On the silver screen Florette) and reading (John Grisham or Lee During his time in the town Richard started Child are his favourites). a film club at the cinema: “I used to get to choose my own films, it was great. The But, overall, contentment for him is just cinema owner realised there was a great being in the town he loves: “Living in audience for people who watched art and Wadebridge and being surrounded by a minority films, and, 30 years later, the Regal town family, you feel you belong. It’s the is still keen to show these films alongside greatest compliment to be accepted as a the live broadcast schedule.” ‘Bridger.’ I travel a lot out of Cornwall, and, when I come back I always think, ‘yes, this is

the place.’”

15 A39

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nce a railway line, the Camel Trail is now a tranquil sanctuary for peace- seekers, amblers and cyclists, but so much more lies off the beaten track Ofor wildlife-watchers and ramblers. Romantic railway to a serene trail would be it,” says Nigel Wiggett, from Bridge Bike Hire, who started the phenomena of “The next five-and-a-half miles beside the hiring bikes for riding on the trail in the broadening Camel to Padstow is the most late Seventies. “It’s totally unique. Part of its beautiful train journey I know.” The words success is the duration: five miles to Padstow of British poet laureate, John Betjeman, are is manageable for everyone.” immortalised in his 1984 book, Betjeman’s Cornwall. When the Bodmin railway line was decommissioned in 1978, Nigel, who was Decades since the railway was replaced by running a car exhaust centre on Eddystone a walking and cycling trail, the romance Road, hit upon the idea to hire bikes. “I and magic of this route remains. While refurbished bikes as a kid for pocket money, much of the county has changed far beyond and I know a fair bit about mechanics,” he Betjeman’s Cornwall, the Camel Trail has says. “Pretty soon 10 bikes turned into 50, not. Instead it has been transformed into an which turned into 100; we never had enough entirely different, and highly valued, natural — it was fairly obvious this was becoming resource for visitors and locals alike. serious business.”

The ‘perfect’ trail So, in 1983 he sold his family home to fund what would become one of the first bike hire “If you were going to design the perfect depots in the country, and moved into the walking and cycle route, with viewpoints property above. Today he has 400 bikes, and and environmental aspects, the Camel Trail other cycle hire companies have followed

18 On the Trail © David Ortiz © David

suit all along the trail. He adds: “I think the success of it has taken everybody by surprise, If you were going to including the council.” design the perfect According to John Pomeroy, chairman of the walking and cycle Camel Trail Partnership, regular automatic counts take place at various locations on a route the Camel Trail regular basis under the control of Cornwall would be it. Council. “The current view is that the Trail has approximately 500,000-plus visitors a year, which gives a good idea of how it According to Hilda Blacklaw, chairwoman of impacts on the local economy,” he says. the Camel Ramblers (the Wadebridge district of the Ramblers Association), this seven-mile Off the beaten track route is “very pleasant,” adding: “Wadebridge is well known as the town on the Camel To really explore the beauty of the Camel Trail between Padstow and Bodmin but not Trail, you need to leave it. The best way to everyone knows there are many paths off the do that is on foot. For more intrepid walkers, trail that make interesting and varied walks.” there are quite a few walking routes in every direction off the trail, taking you through There’s a six-mile route along the famous forests, along the riverside, over fields and old railway trackbed and through less- moorland and even past Cornwall’s most visited woodlands, recommended by the AA. famous vineyard (Camel Valley). Another route takes you to and Church, returning through Polmorla A walk from Bridge car park, just off valley. For more routes, turn to pages 24-25 the Camel Trail, takes you via Bishops Wood, Burlawn, Hawkes wood and Hustyn Mill.

19 On the Trail © David Ortiz © David

Image courtesy of Bridge Bike Hire

Wildlife watchers Marshes (toward Bodmin on the trail) and Walmsley Sanctuary (less than a Walking brings you up close to kilometre inland from the wildlife, and there’s so much Camel Estuary). wildlife in this area which you wouldn’t see if it wasn’t for That’s not to mention the the accessibility of the Camel Tail. The easy access to the marine wildlife sandbanks and mudflats of the estuary at low on the coast and the moorland tide are perfect bird habitats, and the trail habitats of Bodmin Moor towards is the best place to see all sorts of nature, either end of the Camel Trail. according to Adrian Langdon, a born-and- bred Wadebridge wildlife photographer, and a warden of the Walmsley Sanctuary bird reserve. Magical and mysticavl For Camel Trail cycling pioneer, “The estuary houses huge populations of Nigel, the draw of this flat route remains wintering birds,” he says. “It’s also one of the the same as it was almost four decades ago: best places in the UK to see otters. You can “I ride the trail all the time. It’s constantly also see deer, stoats, weasels, badgers and changing, from the weather and cloud foxes. Lots of work has been done to preserve formations to the flora and fauna; the wildlife; the wildlife along the Camel Estuary and it’s the contrast of the forest and river. It’s a huge draw for wildlife enthusiasts.” magical and mystical.”

There are several good bird watching habitats in and around Wadebridge: Clapper Marshes (by the rugby pitches), Treraven

20 On the Trail

All images © Adrian Langdon 21 Active

ork on the marshes opened up green space for cricket, bowls and rugby, among other sports. The surrounding countryside is full Wof walks and cycle routes, and the Camel River offers plenty of opportunity to mess about on the water in a canoe. Indoors, there’s the leisure centre, gym and swimming pool, which also houses a host of fitness clubs from martial arts to badminton.

free sessions before needing to join the club. Sports Clubs & Centres 01208 814980 [email protected] Camel Ramblers www.wadebridgecanoeclub.org The Wadebridge group of the Rambler’s Association, covering the Camel Estuary, rugged moorlands, hidden valleys and Wadebridge Cricket Club The club has three adult sides playing in attractive villages, and breathtaking views the Cornwall Cricket League and a women’s along the coastal fringes. team, which plays in the Cornwall Women’s 01208 75350 League, plus a successful youth section for www.ramblers.org.uk/camel-district- boys and girls aged six years and above. The wadebridge clubhouse at the Egloshayle Playing Fields has a licensed bar with Sky Sports, and the Wadebridge Bowling Club club is always seeking new members. Since the 1920s the club has played on three 07813 780765 different greens within the town, settling Egloshayle Road in its current location next to Egloshayle [email protected] Playing Fields, with a bistro, bar, kitchen and www.wadebridge.play-cricket.com roof terrace. The club welcomes visitors and locals, both beginners and seasoned players. 07531 175044 Wadebridge Leisure Centre and Egloshayle Road Swimming Pool www.wadebridgebowls.co.uk This is the heart of Wadebridge’s indoor Wadebridge Camels Rugby Football Club sports, with a gym, fitness classes, glass- backed squash courts, sports hall, 35m The town’s RFC runs teams and coaching swimming pool (and toddlers pool). The sessions for under-7s up to seniors, playing centre is used by sports clubs, from netball against other teams in Cornwall and the South and surf life saving to roller hockey, as well as West from its base on Molesworth Field. local schools. 01208 815311 01208 814980 Egloshayle Road Bodieve Road, PL27 6BU www.pitchero.com/clubs/wadebridgecamels www.tempusleisure.org.uk/wadebridge- Wadebridge Canoe Club leisure-centre The club delivers training, coaching sessions and events while exploring the waterways Wadebridge Swimming Club Wadebridge ASC runs weekly training for and learning more about the local natural children and adults at Wadebridge Leisure environment and history. During British Centre, offering two free trial sessions for Summer Time the club meets every Tuesday children and two discounted trial sessions for evening for a paddle. Details can be found adults. on the club calendar on the website. New www.wadebridgeasc.co.uk paddlers are always welcomed, with up to four

22 Active

© Wadebirdge Canoe Club

Wadebridge Tennis Club The town’s tennis club has five all-weather hard courts which are available for the whole community and visitors. The volunteer-run association delivers junior and adult coaching sessions, plus competitions and events. Egloshayle Road 01208 815975 www.wadebridgetennisclub.co.uk Camel Trail Cycle Hire A family-run cycle hire business opposite Wadebridge Town Football Club the beginning of the Wadebridge-to-Padstow Founded in 1894, the ‘Bridgers’ runs teams for Camel Trail cycle route with free, on-site under-8s up to senior level, including a Mini parking and an early-morning reservation Soccer School for boys and girls aged 5-11 service, from 8.30am, if you call in advance. and Soccer Tots (4-6-year-olds). 01208 814104 01208 812537 www.cameltrailcyclehire.co.uk Bodieve Park www.pitchero.com/clubs/wadebridgetown Bike Smart Despite having more than 200 bicycles for Cycle Hire hire, Bike Smart advises booking in advance during peak periods, which you can do on Bridge Bike Hire their site. The hire shop is set back from the This bike hire depot is right on the edge of Padstow-bound end of the trail on Eddystone the Padstow-bound section of the Camel Trail, Road. offering traffic-free access to the trail. With 01208 814545 more than 400 bikes for hire and 20 staff, they www.bikesmart.eu have a bike for everyone, young or old. 01208 813050 www.bridgebikehire.co.uk

23 Walk A walk on the wild side

ost people see who took carts of milk churns down to meet the Camel the trains, so we call it the Milk Track.” Trail M For a six-mile route along the old railway as the main trackbed of the trail, which circles around walking route Treraven Farm and takes you through less- in Wadebridge, visited woodlands, the AA has a recommend but, if you dig deeper, route with directions and descriptions of routes stretch out in every direction, places of interests along the walk. taking you along the estuary, over Heading out in all directions moorland, deep into hidden valleys For walks which head out from Wadebridge and through attractive villages. in other directions, the best place to look is on the iwalkcornwall website, which Start with what you know has 11 carefully chosen tracks around the As well as the Camel Trail, which offers a level Wadebridge area with detailed and double- route for five miles to Padstow and 7 miles checked directions, route maps, photos and to Bodmin (and beyond), Wadebridge has a information about the places of interest. range of lesser-known walking routes for more adventurous rambles, hikes and treks. These recommendations come from the Camel Ramblers (the Wadebridge district of Using the Trail as a starting point, our the Ramblers Association), which organises featured circular route (see map, opposite) outings around the whole area, from breezy takes you from Guineaport Road (the start coastal routes to hidden, valley villages. Walk of the Bodmin-bound trail) up into Treraven leader, Libby Bennett, who is well-known for Farm, part of the Camel Special Area of her knowledge of all the local routes, says: Conservation and Site of Special Scientific “Joining the ramblers and getting walking Interest. The 170-acre site — owned by the was one of the best things I’ve ever done.” Cornwall-based conservation charity, Gaia Trust — borders the Camel Trail and includes To contact the Wadebridge Ramblers: www. 35 acres of ancient, semi-natural woodland ramblers.org.uk/camel-district-wadebridge or and saltwater meadows. call 01208 75350. For 11 walks around Wadebridge: www. Meg Lamond, who manages Treraven Woods iwalkcornwall.co.uk/walks/near/wadebridge on behalf of the Gaia Trust, says: “This route Treraven Farm walk: www.gaiatrust.org.uk/ takes you through ancient, semi-natural properties/treraven-farm/map woodlands (with lots of tall old oak trees, The AA-recommended route along the old hazel, coppice, bluebells and badger paths); railway trackbed: www.theaa.com/walks/ there are often bats hunting insects along the along-the-banks-of-the-river-camel-at- path at nighttime too. wadebridge-420165

“You can sit on a bench near the top of the hill to watch birds over the estuary and the salt marshes. The path back down to the Camel Trail was used by dairy farmers, from Burlawn,

24 Walk

A389 GUINEAPORT RUGBY

C R FOOTBALL C A I M V FIELD E L E T R R A IL ( C Re cr A ea M THIS IS A WORKING FARM, SO tio A389 na E l Tr L ai DOGS MUST BE KEPT ON LEADS l)

ANDUNDERCONTROL AT ALL

CA M EL T TIMES. GATES SHOULD BE LEFT WADEBRIDGE RA IL ( Re cr AS FOUND. WELLIES OR SIMILAR ea A389 tio na l Tr RECOMMENDED ai l)

C A M EL T RA IL ( Re cr ea tio B na l Tr UPLANDS ai l) WILD HOLLOW

C A M E L T R A TREVALLETT IL

( A R CLOVER e c r e MEADOWS a t io n TRERAVEN a PENDAVEY l T r a i l)

C A M E L T R A IL

( R MAP KEY e c r e a t io n a l PUBLIC FOOTPATH T r a il ) PERMISSIVE PATH

C SEMI-ANCIENT A M E OAK WOODLAND L T R A IL

( R COMMUNITY FOREST e TRERAVEN c r e a WOODS t i o n a l POINTS OF ENTRY T A r a i l)

OPEN ACCESS

C A M E L T NATIONAL BAMBOO R A COLLECTION VISIT BY IL

(R e APPOINTMENT ONLY c re a t io n a HARD STANDING l T ra D il FOR CAR PARKING )

A 40-minute circular walk through semi-ancient forest Starting at the end of Guineaport Road, take the Camel Trail towards Bodmin. After 10-20 minutes, when you pass a metal direction signpost (on your left), you’ll see a gate to a track heading up into Treraven Woods (A).

Follow the straight path uphill. At the top you’ll come out of the woods. Follow the path, bearing right, past two sheds on your left (B). As you pass through a gateway take the immediate narrow path to your right.

Continue downhill, go through the gate and walk through the field to the gate on the far end (C). Exit the field and follow the lane downhill until you are back on Guineaport Road. The route takes 40 minutes at a slow pace.

25 Eat

ou can go around the world and back during a lunch hour in Wadebridge - with cafes, restaurants, take-aways and street food vendors proffering everything from Cantonese, Bangladeshi and Thai, to Italian and English Ymainstays. The town also boasts an award-winning pub, a nationally acclaimed wood-fired pizza van and a British champion barista who runs his own cafe. Welcome to foodie heaven. RESTAURANTS RESTAURANTS/TAKEWAY CAFES

Bridge Bistro The Dancing Taipan Carraways Relaxed bistro and bar Restaurant Coffee, cake, plus serving seasonal, local Cantonese and Chinese sandwiches, soups and produce. dishes, both eat-in and take- breakfasts. 01208 815342 away. 01208 814343 4 Molesworth Street, 01208 816623 14 Polmorla Rd, PL27 7NS PL27 7DA The Platt, PL27 7AD www.bridgebistro.co.uk www.dancingtaipan.co.uk The Granary Serving full, Cornish The Glasshouse breakfasts, soup, traditional Cafe/bar/restaurant serving roasts and ‘hearty’ evening Italian cuisine, tapas, and meals. traditional English dishes, 01208 815530 including fresh local seafood. 34 Molesworth Street, PL27 7DP 01208 814800 www.thegranarywadebridge. The Piazza, Eddystone Road, co.uk PL27 7AL www.glasshousewadebridge. Hewitt's co.uk Coffee house, wine bar and The Raj music venue with food served Little Plates An Indian restaurant, bar all day/evening. A bar and eatery with and take-away on the side of 01208 368191 a menu based on small the River Camel. 33, Molesworth St, PL27 7DH mediterranean dishes. 1, Commissioners Quay, 01208 816377 Eddystone Road, PL27 7AL Mad Hatters Polmorla Road, PL27 7ND www.therajwadebridge.co.uk Cornish breakfast, artisan www.littleplatesbar.co.uk coffee, lunch and snacks; Sagor homemade cakes, Cornish Warnes Overlooking the River cream teas, smoothies and Modern British food with Camel, Sagor is a family-run Cornish ice cream. some international Tandoori restaurant and 07808 198820 influences. take-away. The Platt, PL27 7EA 01208 814332 01208 812500 Polmorla Mews, PL27 7LZ www.sagor.co.uk www.warnesbarandrestaurant. co.uk

26 Eat

The Old Tea House The Falcon Jon’s Fish and Chips 6, Polmorla Rd, PL27 7ND 01208 368587 Up the hill from Lidl with 01208 813331 falconpub.co.uk ample customer parking 1, Goldsworthy Way, Relish Churchill Bars Wadebridge PL27 7FL A cafe and deli run by Hugo Molesworth St, 01208 813558 Hercod (British Barista PL27 7DP Champion 2008) who also Wai Kui runs coffee-brewing courses. The Ship Inn Chinese Takeaway 01208 814214 This 16th Century 01208 814165 Foundry Court, PL27 7QN coaching inn on 56, Molesworth St, PL27 7DR www.relishcornwall.co.uk the river won the Gold Award for Best Pub at the Cornwall Yummies The Shed Tourism Awards 2015. Pizza, chicken, kebabs and Cosy cafe famous for its 01208 813845 burgers brunch offerings, from Eggs Gonvena Hill, PL27 6DF 01208 816699 Benedict to Welsh rarebit. www. shipinnwadebridge. 9, Commissioners Rd, PL27 07870 543199 co.uk 7AS 1 Trevanson St, PL27 7AW www.yummieswadebridge. Slades House co.uk Tim’s Place 01208 812729 Cafe, open seven days a Sladesbridge, PL27 6JB week, for breakfast and lunch STREETFOOD 01208 812550 The Swan Hotel Wild Bake 1, Foundry St, PL27 7NW 01208 812526 Mobile wood-fired pizza van, 9, Molesworth St, PL27 7DD listed in the Sunday Times Wood and Green café www.staustellbrewery.co.uk/ Dish magazine’s top 25 wood- Coffee and ‘creative pub/wadebridge/swan-hotel fired pizzerias in Britain, 2015, happenings,’ plus burgers, and visiting Wadebridge on seasonal specials; gluten-free Monday evenings, 5-8pm and vegan diners well- TAKE-AWAY (except school summer catered for. Barny's holidays) opposite Lidl. 07547 586105 Fish and chip takeaway in 07707 08 24 15 Eddystone Road the centre of town www.wildbake.co.uk 10 Molesworth St, PL27 7DA PUBS AND BARS 01208 812389 Tiny Thai Pop-up Thai food restaurant Bridge on Wool Le Snack in and around Wadebridge, 01208 812750 Sandwich bar and take-away. with a regular pitch The Platt, PL27 7AQ 01208 815353 outside the Pop Gallery on www.bridgeonwool.com 4, Foundry Street, PL27 7NW Trevanson St, PL27 7AW. www.lesnack.net 07821 651366 The Earl of St Vincent www.thetinythai.co.uk 01208 814807 Spice Guru www.earlofstvincent.com Bangladeshi and Indian cuisine Molesworth Arms 01208 895333 01208 812055 3 Polmorla Rd, PL27 7ND Molesworth St, PL27 7DP www.spiceguruwadebridge. www. moleswortharms.co.uk co.uk

27 Events

Big Lunch March Free open-air street party in early June for all residents and visitors. Pack a picnic, pull up Annual Festival of Music & Speech a chair, sit down and say ‘hello’. Plenty of live Running since 1925, this festival attracts more music and kids activities. From 12pm on than 1,000 instrumentalists, singers, speakers Molesworth St. and choirs of all ages and every ability to the town hall for six days of competition and 150 Wadebridge Lions Beer classes, with a gala concert. 01208 880505 Festival Live music, barbecue and 20 ales, plus cider and wine. April e-clubhouse.org/sites/wadebridge

Wadebridge Choral Society Spring concert July Formed in 1986, Wadebridge Choral Society is a mixed-voice, adult choir which encourages singers from the town and its Rock Oyster Festival surrounds to take part in musical activities. A two-day event (at Dinham House on the Its Spring concert is usually in April at Camel Estuary) including food, music, kids Wadebridge School. workshops and dance. 01208 815322 www.rockoysterfestival.co.uk www.wadebridgechoral.org.uk

Wadebridge Wheels May A classic car rally in mid-July organised by the Rotary Club of Wadebridge, held at the Royal Cornwall Events Centre. May Play www.wadebridgewheels.co.uk Two days of fun and play with circus skills, theatre, dance, crafts, storytelling, workshops, performances and forest school activities. Wadebridge Choral Society Summer concert June or Egloshayle Church

Royal Cornwall Show August The annual event of the Royal Cornwall Agricultural Association, which has been Camel River Festival running since 1895; it is held at the Royal A weekend of music, food, drink and family Cornwall Events Centre. activities based around the Camel River; 01208 893089 including water-based competitions and royalcornwallshow.org demonstrations (including the famous raft For 300 other events on the same site, visit: race). royalcornwallshow.org/other-events www.camelriverfestival.co.uk

28 Events

a singsong. Organised by the Old Cornwall Society www.oldcornwall.net

October

Bike Lights A magical night-time procession of lit-up

© Adrian Langdon bicycles, prams, pushchairs and tricycles; tandems, carts, wheelchairs and unicycles, organised by Wadebridge Creative Hub and Wadebridge Carnival involving local schools. Floats, walkers and carnival queens parade wadebridgecreativehub.co.uk through the town before a firework display and live music in Jubilee field. November www.facebook.com/wadebridgecarnival Wadebridge & District Garden Creation Fest Produce Association Show Christian music festival and bible week held Running since 1942, this showcases at the Royal Cornwall Events Centre. vegetables, flowers, arts, cookery, preserves, www.creationfest.org.uk handicrafts and photography and takes place in the town hall. Music & dancing at Pencarrow House This event has run since the Nineties in the gardens of the 500-year-old manor house. December Recent years included a jazz theme and a 1940s-themed evening for the whole family. Christmas Shopping Weekend www.e-clubhouse.org/sites/wadebridge A series of late-night shopping evenings with free car parking and events, including live Cornwall Folk Festival music on the streets, a Santa’s Grotto, craft Running since the 1970s, this is the main fair, firework display, Christmas lights switch- event for Cornwall’s folk scene. A three- on and Santa Fun Run. day celebration of music, dance and street www.wadebridgechristmasweekend.co.uk entertainment with special children’s events spread out over the August summer bank Wadebridge Choral Society holiday period. Christmas concert www.cornwallfolkfestival.com St Minver Church

September New Year’s Eve Fireworks The best viewing spot for fireworks in the town is the old bridge; fireworks are let off Crying the Neck from the river bank. A traditional harvest festival attracting a large crowd to see the last of the harvest cut, with blessings in Cornish and a service at Egloshayle Church, followed by pasties and

29 Stay

HOTELS AND PUBS BED & BREAKFAST Bridge on Wool Brookdale B&B A bar, restaurant and bed & breakfast with live Edwardian guesthouse on the corner of Brook Rd music on Friday and Saturday nights. and Trevanion Rd. 01208 812750 01208 81542 The Platt, PL27 7AQ Trevanion Rd, PL27 7PA www.bridgeonwool.com www.brookdalebandb.co.uk

The Molesworth Arms Little Brook Restaurant and bar with rooms, since 1901, In the parish of Egloshayle; a short riverside walk including the Zoo Bar and Zoo Lounge, a private into Wadebridge. function room. 01208 814267 01208 812055 Mill Close, Egloshayle, PL27 6HA Molesworth St, PL27 7DP www.moleswortharms.co.uk Spring Garden B&B A former 16th Century merchant’s house, with The Swan Hotel rooms and an adjoining self catering cottage. On the corner of Molesworth St, Eddystone Rd 01208 813771 and The Platt, serving food and local ales. Bradfords Quay, PL27 6DB 01208 812526 www.spring-garden.co.uk 9 Molesworth Street, PL27 7DD www.staustellbrewery.co.uk/pub/wadebridge/ The Hawthorns B&B swan-hotel 01208 479129 Trevanson Rd, PL27 7HD Travelodge Wadebridge Hotel West Hill, PL27 7HR Wadebridge Bed and Breakfast 0871 984 6452 AA 4-Star Gold guest accommodation in a quiet www.travelodge.co.uk residential area close to the town centre. 07740 255092 Orchard House, Elmsleigh Road, PL27 7HA www.wadebridgebedandbreakfast.net

OTHER Trevanion House Holidays Supported holidays for adults with learning difficulties. 01208 814903 www.trevanion.co.uk 30 Useful numbers

Wadebridge Police Bodmin Hospital (minor Stagecoach General enquiries 08452 777444 injuries) www.stagecoachbus.com/about/ Crimestoppers: 0800 555111 01208 251300 south-west Boundary Road, Bodmin, Wadebridge Town Council PL31 2QT Rail services 01208 812643 Nearest train station: Bodmin Town Hall, The Platt Chemists Parkway (10 miles away) for Boots Pharmacy mainline services east and west. Padstow Tourist Information 01208 812505 centre 4, New Court House, The Platt Banks 01841 533449 You’ll find Barclays, Lloyds, Day Lewis Pharmacy HSBC and NatWest along Dentists 01208 812760 Molesworth Street. No. 65 The Dental Surgery Jubilee Road 01208 812711 Dog warden 65, Molesworth St OTHER USEFUL INFO 0300 1234 212 () Temple and Higgs Park Library Chambers Dental Practice On the corner of Southern Way Age Concern 01208 812450 03001234111 01872 266388 (Head Office) 61, Molesworth St www.cornwall.gov.uk/library Places of worship Wadebridge Dental Care Museum There are five centres of 01208 813816 Chapel Lane worship. More information: 8, Park Place, Whiterock Road www.wadebridgemuseum.btck. wadebridgeparish.org.uk co.uk Vets Egloshayle Church, PL27 6AD G & PJ Nute Car parks 01208 813258 Jubilee Car Parks — by Co-Op St Michael's Catholic Church, Trenant Industrial Estate Goldsworthy Way — near Lidl Trevanson Street, PL27 7AW Piggy Lane (long stay) — off Harleigh Vets Ltd 01208 812530 Goldsworthy Way Wadebridge Christian Centre 4, Park Road Polmorla Road (long stay) 01208 813110 Egloshayle Road Molesworth Street Commissioners Quay Doctors’ surgeries John Betjeman Community Bridge Medical Centre Bus services Centre 01208 812342 Timetables are available in the 01208 812392 Harbour Road foyer of the town hall and online: Southern Way, PL27 7BX Wadebridge and Camel Estuary City Bus Wadebridge Methodist Church Practice www.plymouthbus.co.uk 01208 895157 01208 812222 Coffee Corner, Trevanion Road Brooklyn First Bus: www.firstgroup.com/cornwall Hospitals Royal Cornwall Hospital Treliske National Express 01872 250000 08717 818181 , TR1 3LJ www.nationalexpress.co.uk

31 © Stuart Firth Thanks for dropping by, see you again soon. © 2016 Wadebridge Town Council