Besides great sights, an interesting history and many exciting destinations, Wadebridge has a lot more to offer. Here you will find many helpful tips to enjoy your vacation in Wadebridge.
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Sights in Wadebridge
Wadebridge is a town in Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. It is situated on the River Camel six miles upstream from Bodmin and ten miles north of Falmouth. According to the 2011 census, the town had a population of 7,470.[1]
Today Wadebridge is a thriving market town with a popular tourist destination. It has much to offer the visitor, with its quaint boutiques, independent shops, art galleries and cafes. The town is also home to the iconic bridge which spans the River Camel.
The original bridge was built in the 13th century and was the only crossing point of the river for many miles. It was replaced by a stone bridge in the early 14th century, which was in turn replaced by the present day structure in the late 18th century. The bridge is now Grade I listed and is one of the most photographed landmarks in Cornwall.
Wadebridge is also home to the renowned Eden Project, a unique environmental attraction which comprises two huge Tropical Biomes containing plants from all over the world. The project was completed in 2001 and has since become one of the most popular tourist destinations in Cornwall, attracting over one million visitors per year.
So, whether you’re looking for a picturesque town to explore, a landmark to photograph or an educational day out, Wadebridge is well worth a visit.
History of Wadebridge
Before the Romans came to England, the native Celts already had a settlement on the site of Wadebridge. They built a bridge of logs across the River Camel at a location where the river could be forded. The name Wadebridge is derived from this old Celtic word for “bridging place”.
The Romans also used the site of Wadebridge as a crossing point, and they built a bridge of stone at the same location. This was part of a network of Roman roads and bridges that linked the towns and cities of Roman Britain.
After the Romans left Britain, the Saxons took over and they also used the site of Wadebridge as a crossing point. They built a new bridge of wood and stone.
The first recorded use of the name Wadebridge was in the 12th century, when it was spelled “Wavelbrigge”.
In the 16th century, Wadebridge was a thriving market town. It was an important stop on the coaching route between London and Cornwall. The town also had a busy port, with boats coming up the River Camel from as far away as the Mediterranean.
Wadebridge was badly affected by the Civil War. In 1644, a Royalist army occupied the town and fortified the bridge. A Parliamentarian army besieged the town and eventually took it. The bridge was badly damaged in the fighting and it was not repaired until 1650.
In the 18th century, Wadebridge became known for its fine carpets. The town was also the home of the Cornish poet and writer Edward Lluyd.
The 19th century was a time of change for Wadebridge. The coming of the railways meant that the coaching trade died out. The port also declined, and by the end of the century it had ceased to exist.
However, Wadebridge flourished as a market town and as a tourist resort. It was a popular destination for Victorian seaside holidays.
The 20th century brought further changes to Wadebridge. The town was expanded with new housing estates. And in the 1960s, a new bridge was built across the River Camel.
Today, Wadebridge is a thriving town with a population of around 5,000. It is a popular tourist destination, with people coming to enjoy the scenery of the River Camel valley and the North Cornwall coastline.
Vacation in Wadebridge
Wadebridge is a town in Cornwall, England, on the River Camel 9 miles northwest of Bodmin and 8 miles from the Celtic Sea coast. The town is twinned with Gorham, Maine, USA.
The population is 4,878 (2011 census), making it the largest town in the north of Cornwall.
The town’s name comes from the River Camel on which it is built; Wade is a common Celtic word meaning ‘crossing’ or ‘ford’.
The town’s original name was Wade, which referred to the ford across the Camel on which it was built. The name was later changed to Wadebridge, to distinguish it from other places named Wade.
Wadebridge is situated in the Camel Valley between Bodmin Moor and the sea. The River Camel flows through the town and is tidal up to the opening of the Camel Estuary at Padstow.
The town has a medieval bridge, which was rebuilt in the early 18th century, and a 15thcentury church.
The town grew up around the River Camel crossing, and it was an important crossing point until the construction of the Bodmin Moor alternative route (now the A30) in the 18th century.
Wadebridge was the terminus of the Bodmin and Wadebridge Railway, which opened in 1834 and was Cornwall’s first railway. The railway ran from Bodmin to Wadebridge, and then continued on to Padstow.
The railway was closed in 1967, but the Wadebridge to Bodmin section reopened as the heritage Bodmin and Wenford Railway in 1984.
Wadebridge is a popular tourist destination, with many shops, cafes, restaurants and public houses. It is also home to the Royal Cornwall Show, Cornwall’s biggest agricultural show, which is held every June.
The town is also the starting point of the Camel Cycle Trail, which follows the Camel estuary for 17 miles to Padstow.
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