Daymer bay at low tide
Brae hill
Path to Rock through the dunes
Rock at low tide
Daymer Bay and Rock
Just around the corner from Polzeath, Daymer bay faces into the Camel Estuary. The sheltered estuary is popular for windsurfing, kitesurfing etc. There is a beach at all states of the tide and the waves are never very big so its a safe place to take young children paddling. There is plenty of car parking even at the busiest times in the Summer. The beach starts right next to the car park.
At low tide all the beaches along the estuary join up into a vast stretch of sand and you can walk along the beach to Rock - it takes about half an hour. The tide comes in quite fast, but if you get cut off there is a footpath between Rock and Daymer bay through the sand dunes and around the side of Brae hill. Behind the sand dunes is St Enodoc golf course in the middle of which is St Enodoc Church
St Enodoc church dates from the 12th century over a number of centuries became virtually buried by the dunes. In order to collect its tithes, the church had to host services at least once a year so the vicar and congregation had to enter through a hole in the roof during this period. During the 19th century the church was excavated and later it became a favourite place of Sir John Betjeman who is buried in the churchyard.
The tourist information centre in Tintagel has a leaflet (costing 60p) for a 3.5 mile circular walk from Daymer Bay to St Enodoc Church which has lots of information about the history of the area.
Due to its sheltered position in the Camel Estuary, Rock has been popular for sailing for decades. There is a car park with toilets and a slipway to launch boats into the estuary. Rock is also home to Sharp's brewery. There is a pub next to the car park which serves food and a café. A passenger ferry (who will let you take bikes across if it's not too busy) to Padstow runs frequently.
You can also walk round to the right from Daymer Bay on the coast path to Polzeath. There are some small beaches on the way which are best towards low tide. There are also some good rockpools on the far right of Daymer Bay and on some of the small beaches.
Directions
Drive to Polzeath and continue up the hill at the other side of the beach. Carry on past about 6 right turns (all at 90 degrees) until you come to Daymer Lane which is at a shallow angle. Turn down here. The car park is at the end of the road.
