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All you need to know
Place yourself in the heart of Cornwall, half way between the north coast’s famous surf beaches and sheltered south coast shores when you choose a holiday in the Camel Valley.
From cycle rides and vineyard tours to beach days and steam train rides, a holiday in Cornwall’s Camel Valley offers opportunities for all ages and abilities to get out and enjoy this beautiful area.
This lush wooded valley follows the meandering River Camel as it wends its way from Bodmin in the heart of Cornwall towards the famous north coast, meeting the salty seawater of Padstow Bay. Running through an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a Site of Special Scientific Interest, the Camel Valley is rich in flora, fauna and wildlife, so keep your eyes peeled for kingfishers, otters and salmon when out exploring the riverbanks.
Number one on your holiday bucket list has to be pedalling along the Camel Trail cycle track which snakes along the Camel Valley from Padstow to Bodmin Moor. Although 18 miles in total, it’s easy to do as much or as little as you like and there are plenty of cafés and picnic spots to stop and refuel along the way. You can hire bikes in Padstow, Wadebridge or Bodmin and the track is largely flat and traffic free so it is very family friendly and an excellent day out.
Switch two wheels for train tracks and hop aboard the heritage steam engines of Bodmin and Wenford Railway. This 13-mile round trip treats you to the nostalgic sights, sounds and smells of bygone eras, as the steam locomotives puff their way through the Camel Valley’s lush woodland.
After a busy morning cycling and seeing the sights, the Camel Valley Vineyard is the perfect place to reward your efforts. You can visit the sundrenched vineyards for a tour, enjoy a chilled glass of wine on the terrace or stock up on the award-winning sparkling wines to take back to your Camel Valley cottage for an evening drink.
One of the best things about staying in the Camel Valley is the ease with which you can explore Cornwall’s best bits. Thanks to its central location, you can surf, body board and swim at the north coast’s famous beaches, including Polzeath, Daymer Bay and Constantine, explore the rugged wilds of Bodmin Moor and cycle paths of Cardinham Woods, or set off to the sheltered fishing villages and coves of South Cornwall - from Charlestown and Fowey to Looe and Polperro. For foodies, Padstow is nearby, fans of Doc Martin will love picturesque Port Isaac, and National Trust’s Lanhydrock Estate is well worth a visit. The Camel Valley also boasts two bustling towns - Wadebridge and Bodmin - where you can stock up on all your holiday essentials.
Enjoy the nostalgic experience of the Bodmin & Wenford railway! Travel back in time through 13 miles of picturesque Cornish countryside that harks back to a 1950s branch line. Most journeys are powered by steam locomotives however some diesels operate on the line too. Trains run between Bodmin General and Bodmin Parkway.
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The marvelously named Dragon Leisure Centre in Bodmin is home to a 25-metre indoor swimming pool and learner pool consisting of six lanes, catering to kids, and their parents who may want to have a little time to themselves. There’s also a flume, and a spectator friendly area on poolside, as well as lots of opportunities to join one of the structured activities or just pop along for a casual swim.
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Hire cycles, SUPs and kayaks, delivered to your door and have all you need to enjoy your holiday in Cornwall from the moment you arrive. Stock includes top of the range German e-bikes, British road bike, touring bikes, moutain bikes and bikes for kids of all ages. All Go ByCycle's equipment is checked before delivery and supplied with helmets, pumps, locks and puncture repair kits.
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Perfect for cycling, the Camel Trail is an 18-mile largely traffic free, surfaced and virtually level, multi-use trail that you can use to explore the Cornish countryside. The track brings back to life a disused railway line that runs between Wenfordbridge, Bodmin and Padstow. It's ideal for bicycles, wheelchair users, horse riders and walkers, and is broken down into three main sections set up to around six miles each, which is probably more manageable than the total 18 miles, on an average day at least! It's free to use, bike hire is available at Padstow, Wadebridge, Bodmin and Wendfordbridge and toilets are in situ along the trail and in Padstow town centre.
Flat 6 miles walk from Wadebridge to Padstow (or Padstein as we called it!). Plenty to look at but no facilities, there was a closed cafe 2 miles short of Padstow. Lots of cyclists so listen out for them.
July 2023
Great cycle trail for the whole family.
August 2019
Bike hire service in central Wadebridge with easy access to the Camel Trail. Bike for all ages and abilities plus free parking on site.
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A traditional pub located directly upon the Camel Trail. The Borough Arms is dog friendly, has a beer garden and outdoor play area too plus lots of parking.
Borough Arms - Dunmere, Bodmin, Cornwall (T: 01208 73118)
Pleasant pub with decent food. Recommend the Pub Quiz on a Wednesday night!
April 2024
Really friendly and snug in the bar area with a great selection of ales to choose from.
January 2023
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A popular traditional fish and chip restaurant is a converted chapel serving local Cornish fish and chips and all the trimmings. Eat in or take away.
Welcome Stranger Truro Rd, Lanivet, Bodmin PL30 5HF (T01208 831583)
Really tasty and great children's options too
January 2023
A real locals pub serving tasty, home cooked meals complete with a friendly welcome.
Lanivet Inn, Lanivet, Cornwall (T:01208 831212)
Located in the charming town of Bodmin lies Flory's—a refined and inviting restaurant that exudes excellence. With its prime location near Bodmin Moor and the renowned Camel Trail, Flory's offers a remarkable dining experience spread across three impeccably designed floors. The ground floor boasts a cosy cafe and a delightful courtyard ambiance, while the first floor houses the main restaurant area, radiating sophistication. For those seeking a more intimate setting, the top floor showcases private dining rooms, perfect for exclusive gatherings and special occasions.
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We pride ourselves on serving great food in a welcoming atmosphere. Delicious local produce is important to us and our creative menus change regularly to keep things seasonal, local and ‘ansom’!
Excellent food and friendly staff.
June 2022
Fantastic local pub, beautiful inside and very friendly and welcoming staff, owners and locals. Food was amazing! Unless we missed them maybe childrens portions could be offered as portions were plentiful.
April 2022
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Rock beach is a beautiful long white sand beach located on the mouth of the Camel Estuary. This Area of Outstanding natural beauty is a haven for wading birds and the prefect spot for a swim in the clear blue waters or a picnic admiring the fantastic views. The beach is backed by sand dunes, please try to avoid walking on the dunes and keep to the footpaths where provided as there has been a huge amount of erosion in recent years. Dogs are welcome on the beach all year round and there is easy access to shops and all facilities including public toilets. Parking can be found in the car park just behind and access is via a ferry slipway or steps.
What a fabulous beach, dog friendly all year, when the tide is out the beach is huge, our dogs had a brilliant time. The car park is reasonable priced and toilets were clean.
September 2021
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A sheltered beach on the north Cornwall coast, Port Gaverne Beach is in a narrow cove just east of Port Isaac. It’s comprised of sand and shingle with lots of rock pools to explore at low tide. In the summer months it can get quite busy given the popularity of the location and its suitability for families. Surrounding walks along the cliff path are delightful and at high tide the beach is favoured by divers. There’s also a slipway and it’s sometimes used to launch boats because of the easy access from the road. Thanks to it proximity to Port Isaac half a mile away facilities and restaurants are nearby, and the beach welcomes dogs all year round. You can also park in the village although there is limited road parking by the beach itself.
Lovely little cove and nice walk to headland. Water activities available.
June 2023
beautiful and great fish and chips !
October 2021
Excellent place to run the dog at sunset. Good walk on teh headland too. Could park right next to the beach.
September 2019
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Since the arrival of Doc Martin on the small screen, Port Isaac has soared in popularity, and the pretty little village with the historic harbour, which also serves as the beach, has become instantly recognisable. Still an active fishing village with crab pots scattered about, the sand stretches between twin piers at low tide and has a small stream and lots of rock pools to explore, so it’s ideal for children. Dogs are allowed on the beach all year round, and as it’s at the centre of the village there’s easy access to shops and all facilities including public toilets. The car park for the town is a 10-minute walk away, and while there are a couple of parking spaces on the beach itself, just make sure you park above the high water mark, or keep an eagle eye on the tide!
Lovely setting worth a look,dog friendly.
July 2022
Worth a visit, about half a mile walk from the car park, the return journey is quite steep but there is a shuttle taxi for those less able to manage the walk. Beautiful little harbour beach and of course doc Martin’s surgery. We ate in the hotel beer garden, food and drink was nice and reasonable priced.
September 2021
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Located on the East side of the River Camel. Sand and dunes. Dog friendly.
Let's tackle the two downsides first. The narrow single track lane descending to the car park ican be challenging at busy times. The other one - the sheltered position means no waves for boarding. Great sandy beach, safe for kids with a good size car park and easy access down to the sands. Great views over the Doom Bar. Easy to walk down to Rock Beach and St Enodoc's church is worth a visit.
July 2022
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A rocky beach in a narrow, sheltered cove, Port Quin Beach is close to Port Isaac, and is only accessible at low tide. Its rugged landscape is beautiful to see, but its location means that it’s largely popular with seasoned walkers and those looking to go snorkeling and kayaking. Unspoiled and peaceful, it reveals a treasure trove of rock pools when the tide is out, and the nearby village is largely deserted, having once had thriving fishing and mining industries. Today both the cove and the village are owned by the National Trust and there is a car park courtesy of them in Port Quin. Dogs are banned between Easter and October, and there aren’t any facilities nearby – it’s all about enjoying the peace and quiet.
Could park nearby and enjoyed a cream tea from the 'Salt Pig' van in the carpark. Paddled here and ran the dog one evening, and walked a bit more of the coast path.
September 2019