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Down The Cove
Place guide3 min readUpdated 8 Apr 2026

Wadebridge

Set on both banks of the River Camel about five miles upstream of Padstow, Wadebridge takes its name from the medieval bridge that finally spanned the river in 1468. Today it is a lively market town, home of the Royal Cornwall Show and a favourite midway stop on the Camel Trail.

The market town of Wadebridge straddling the tidal River Camel, with the historic bridge crossing the water.
A calm Down The Cove places guide for slower coastal days, family visits and local detail.

Place guide

Plan your visit

A simple guide to the feel of the place, how to arrive, and what to keep in mind before you go.

Wadebridge Wadebridge is situated on both sides of the Camel River, 5 miles upstream from Padstow. It was formerly known as Wade until the bridge across the Camel river...

Best forA practical Cornish place guide with local detail, useful context and a sense of the coast.

Families, visitors, local exploring and slower coastal days.

Getting thereParking, arrival and the practical first steps.

Check the route, parking and any seasonal notes before setting off.

What to look forA calmer way to plan with children or visitors.

Read it before you go so children and grown-ups have a few things to notice when they arrive.

Before you goThe small checks that make the day easier.

Give yourself time, check the weather, and keep plans flexible so the coast can still feel enjoyable.

The full guide

Read straight through, or use the planning notes above to shape an easier coastal day.

Wadebridge is situated on both sides of the Camel River, 5 miles upstream from Padstow.

It was formerly known as Wade until the bridge across the Camel river was completed in 1468 when the place name became Wadebridge.

Wadebridge is the home of the annual Royal Cornwall Show and is midway along the route of the Camel Trail - a cycle trail that goes all the way from Padstow to Bodmin.

Sea Fishing in Wadebridge

Wadebridge is tidal and therefore good for flatfish. The best time to fish is an hour before and an hour after high tide.

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Common questions

Where is Wadebridge?
Wadebridge sits on both sides of the River Camel in north Cornwall, about five miles upstream from Padstow.
What is Wadebridge known for?
It is known as the home of the annual Royal Cornwall Show and as a midway point on the Camel Trail, the walking and cycling route between Padstow and Bodmin.
How did Wadebridge get its name?
It was formerly called Wade, after the river crossing here; the name became Wadebridge once the bridge across the Camel was completed in 1468.
What is there to do in Wadebridge?
Visitors walk or cycle the Camel Trail, explore the town's shops and riverside, and time a trip with the Royal Cornwall Show in early summer.
What is fishing like at Wadebridge?
The River Camel here is tidal, which makes it good for flatfish; locally the best time to fish is generally around an hour either side of high tide.