If you’re looking for a natural high, leading 42 ramblers in the sunshine along a 6-mile coastal walk from Rock to Polzeath will 100% guarantee it!! Or joining Cornish Ramblings for a ramble will also do it…
What an absolute belter of a day for a ramble. This particular stretch of the Cornish coast path is a delight to walk at any time of year, but when it’s out of season and sunny, you honestly can’t beat it. Last weekend we started from the main car park in Rock and walked along the scenic sand dunes and coastal path towards Brea Beach, Daymer Bay and Polzeath.
Rock
Rock (Cornish: Pennmeyn) is a coastal fishing village opposite Padstow on the north-east bank of the River Camel estuary. The original name recorded in 1303 was Penmayn, Cornish for 'the end or head of stones'.
Rock is popular with holidaymakers and in 1881 the hotel was expanded, a new sea-wall built and a bathing house erected on the beach. The Black Tor Ferry operates across the river to the town of Padstow, and this is a major source of tourist traffic through Rock. Rock has been referred to as 'Britain's Saint-Tropez' and the 'Kensington of Cornwall' due to its popularity with affluent holidaymakers.
Polzeath
Polzeath (Polsegh, meaning dry creek) is a small seaside resort village in the civil parish of St Minver in Cornwall. It is approximately 6 miles north west of Wadebridge on the Atlantic coast.
Polzeath has a sandy beach and is popular with holiday-makers and surfers. The beach is 1,500 feet (460 m) wide and extends 1,200 feet (370 m) from the seafront at low water; however, most of the sand is submerged at high water. At exceptionally high spring tides the sea floods the car park at the top of the beach.
The South West Coast Path runs from Daymer Bay in the South through Polzeath and up to Pentire Head in the North and there are pubs, cafés, restaurants, a caravan site and several camping sites in the immediate area. The road rises up steep hills at both ends of the seafront, towards the village of Trebetherick to the southwest and New Polzeath to the northeast.
This beginning part of the route is mostly along sandy paths that take you through the dunes. But don't worry, it's not deep sand so you won't get achy calves. I love the sand but walking in it isn't fun - especially when wearing walking boots!
What I love most about this route is how much of the sea we get to enjoy. Apart from a little inland action on the golf course, this route is mostly coastal and allows views across to Padstow and Stepper Point as well as the many beaches we wander past.
We spent our lunch break at Polzeath where we refuelled before our final stretch of this glorious iWalkCornwall route - across St Enodoc golf course (watch for flying balls!!) and towards the most picturesque church, tucked away and overlooking the sea, St Enodoc Church.
St Enodoc Church
Did you know; since its renovation in the 19th century this chapel has found a particular place in the affections of many people, both visitors and residents alike. The former Poet Laureate, Sir John Betjeman was particularly fond of it and he lies buried in the churchyard. Polzeath was also a favourite haunt of his!
St. Enodoc Church, Trebetherick (Old Cornish: Gwenedek, St. Guenedoc) is situated in sand dunes east of Daymer Bay and Brea Hill on the River Camel estuary. Wind-driven sand has formed banks that are almost level with the roof on two sides. From the sixteenth century to the middle of the nineteenth century, the church was virtually buried by the dunes and was known locally as "Sinking Neddy" or "Sinkininny Church." Legend says, to maintain the tithes required by the church, it had to host services at least once a year, so the vicar and parishioners descended into the sanctuary through a hole in the roof.
After a little exploration of this quirky church we headed back through the golf course and along the coast, to our starting point of Rock. What a day!
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