Why visit Wadebridge?
The Camel Trail
Wadebridge is located on the Camel river just before the water widens into a gorgeous estuary that flows out into the sea at the north Cornwall coast. Visitors can watch how the landscape changes step by step along the Camel Trail, a fantastic traffic-free off-road track that runs between Padstow and Bodmin – placing Wadebridge roughly at its halfway point.
The trail is excellent for families, as most of it is very flat and level; there are also plenty of cafés, benches and other pit stops along the way for when little legs need a break. The route is an excellent option for nature fans too, who will likely appreciate the uninterrupted views over moorland, woodlands and the estuary, where common spots include otters, bats, dormice, kingfishers and little egrets.
The best of the Cornish coast
Wadebridge’s location at the mouth of the estuary means you’ll get the feeling of being at the seaside before you even get to the beach. The town is within a quick drive of a whole range of coastal spots, from remote and rocky coves like Port Quin (15 minutes’ drive) to sheltered stretches of sand like Polzeath (20 minutes) and Rock (15 minutes), where you can catch the passenger ferry for lunch in the foodie town of Padstow.
The Royal Cornwall Showground
Another great thing about Wadebridge is how many top events, exhibitions and shows are held here at the Royal Cornwall Showground, a well-equipped venue just outside the town.
One of the highlights in the town calendar has got to be the Royal Cornwall Show, a top-rated county fair with flower showers, agricultural displays and loads of tasty local food. But there are lots of other events to see here throughout the year – whether you’re into dog shows, comic cons, wedding fairs or craft displays, it’s well worth checking out what’s on while you’re in the vicinity.
The best things to do in and around Wadebridge
In town
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Take the kids to Camel Creek Adventure Park, a small-scale theme park just outside of town.
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Hire a bike at one of the numerous cycling shops in town and cover more of the Camel Trail.
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Indulge your sweet tooth with a visit to Granny Wobbly's Fudge Pantry near the river.
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Wander around the Wadebridge and District Museum and get a handle on the local history (entry is free).
The best attractions within half an hour’s drive of Wadebridge
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Drive halfway over to Bodmin and explore the landscaped grounds of Pencarrow House and Garden (10 minutes’ drive), a spectacular estate with the first Victorian rock garden in England.
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Don some sensible walking gear and make a day of it at The Rumps, a hilly area overlooking the coast 15 minutes north of Wadebridge.
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Stroll up and down the streets of Padstow peering at menus before settling down for a meal in Cornwall’s most foodie town (20 minutes).
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Check out the perfectly round Norman ruins of Restormel Castle near Lostwithiel (30 minutes) or head to King Arthur’s legendary abode at Tintagel (30 minutes).
Delve deeper
Independent shops and Wadebridge market
Wadebridge has among the highest concentrations of independent shops of any town in Cornwall, with a huge variety of independent outlets, boutiques and galleries (plus a couple of cafés for when you need a breather).
On top of that, if you head to the town hall on a Thursday you can explore the Wadebridge Country Market, which has been held weekly in the town for over 40 years. Head here to pick up local produce like cake, honey, flowers and fresh Cornish fruit and veg.
Cornish wine tasting
Dorset, Devon and Somerset have their cider, but Cornwall has become an increasingly popular place to produce English wine. Wadebridge is an excellent place to dip your toe (or your tongue…) into the basics of wine tasting, as plenty of vineyards around here offer tours and cellar door sales to visitors. It’s probably best to leave the car at home for trips like these, but luckily a number of Cornwall’s best vineyards can be easily reached by bike from the town or via the nearby Camel Trail.
Cornwall Folk Festival
The lively Cornwall Folk Festival is the perfect antidote to the brilliant (but, it must be said, somewhat sedate) Royal Cornwall Show. Taking place every year in late August, the festival brings together local folk artists for several nights of live music on the main stage, plus additional gigs, street performances and dance workshops that take place throughout the town over the long weekend.
Here’s how
We’ve got a great selection of places to stay in and around Wadebridge, so how do you go about picking the one that’s right for you? For starters, have a think about what kind of break you’re looking for: some people will need somewhere full of family-friendly amenities for the kids – a campsite with a playground, perhaps, or a Wadebridge holiday park with an outdoor pool.
To get going, here’s a list of our most popular options for campsites around Wadebridge – feel free to chop and change these with other features using the tick-box filters on this page until you’ve found the site that pushes all the right buttons:
No availability for your dates? Check out other parts of Cornwall, or expand your search to the whole of the South West to find last-minute camping deals.
