Rock
OS Grid ref:-SW9276
Hailed as one of the major watersports centres in Cornwall, Rock has been referred to as 'Britain's Saint-Tropez' and the 'Kensington of Cornwall' due to its popularity with the affluent and upper-class holiday-makers. Rock offers a variety of watersports including sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, water skiing and rowing.
The village is situated on the northeastern bank of the sheltered estuary of the River Camel, lying opposite the fishing port of Padstow. The unusual name derives from the local quarry where rock was used as ballast by ships that had unloaded their cargoes across the river at Padstow. The quarry now serves as a car park.
The large sandy beach extends at low tide past Brea Hill to Daymer Bay and St Enodoc's Church and is backed by sand dunes. The Rock Sailing and Waterski Club stands on the waterfront, while the famous St Enodoc Golf Club boasts two challenging courses. A swimming race across the Camel Estuary is held annually. The village also has a number of boutiques and restaurants.
The Black Tor Ferry operates regularly across the river to the Padstow, for late night revellers there is also a water taxi available. There are superb views across the Camel Estuary to Padstow and inland to the iron railway bridge which now forms part of the seventeen mile long Camel Trail Long Distance Footpath. The trail links the towns of Bodmin, Wadebridge and Padstow, an extension of the route follows the river to Camelford.
The nearby ancient church of St Enodoc is located in the sand dunes to the south of the nearby village of Trebetherick. The church is the burial place of poet laureate John Betjeman. The rood screen at St. Endonocs dates from the Medieval era while the Cornish granite font is of twelfth century origin.