Camel Estuary, Rock

Rock is a small village situated on the north-east bank of the River Camel estuary in North Cornwall. It has gained a reputation as being the holiday playground for the affluent and upper classes. Prince Harry, Hugh Grant, the actor and Mohamed Al-Fayed, are frequent visitors. There is a helipad in Rock for visitors who have access to such means of transport. It is not surprising that Rock has been called "Britain's Saint-Tropez" and the "Kensington of Cornwall". In the last ten years, there has been much new building and increased prosperity for the village, with new holiday homes and retail development. There is even a Michelin starred restaurant at the St. Enodoc Hotel, where Nathan Outlaw is the chef.

Rock is best known for its estuary frontage, which provides excellent facilities for sailing, windsurfing and general boating. The Black Tor passenger ferry operates across the River Camel to Padstow, a busy town and port. The ferry carries the old name of Rock, which was Black Rock in the 18th century. It is thought to originate from the rock quarry (now the public car park) from where rock was supplied as ballast to ships which had deposited their cargo at Padstow.

From the car park, there is a coast path to Daymer Bay, past Brea Hill. At low tide, you can walk along the glorious beach, with views to Doom Bar and Stepper Point.

St. Enodoc Church at Rock, dates from 1430 and in the 19th century, was almost engulfed by sand. The clergyman had to enter the church through a skylight in the north transept roof, specially made for this purpose. The church is surrounded by the fairways of St. Enodoc's Golf Course, below Brea Hill. Sir John Betjeman, poet laureate, who died in 1984, is buried in the churchyard.

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