Rock, Cornwall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rock
|
|
|---|---|
 Rock Sailing Club and the estuary looking west |
|
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 530: Unable to find the specified location map definition: "Module:Location map/data/Cornwall (mainland)" does not exist. | |
| Population | 1,203 2011 Census |
| OS grid reference | SW933757 |
| Civil parish | |
| Unitary authority | |
| Ceremonial county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | WADEBRIDGE |
| Postcode district | PL27 |
| Dialling code | 01208 |
| Police | Devon and Cornwall |
| Fire | Cornwall |
| Ambulance | South Western |
| EU Parliament | South West England |
| UK Parliament |
|
Rock (Cornish: Pennmeyn) is a small coastal village in Cornwall, England. It is located on the north-east side of the River Camel estuary. The village sits directly across the water from the town of Padstow.
Rock is part of the civil parish of St Minver Lowlands. It is about 4 miles (6.4 km) north-west of Wadebridge.
Contents
What's in a Name?
The name "Rock" has changed over time. In 1303, the village was called Penmayn. This is a Cornish word meaning 'the end or head of stones'.
Later, in 1337, it was known as Blaketorre, which means 'Black Tor'. By the 1700s, this name became Black Rock. Eventually, it was shortened to just Rock. The ferry that travels between Rock and Padstow is still called the Black Tor Ferry, remembering the old name.
Exploring Rock's Location
The main part of Rock where people live is a bit away from the coast. It is along the road that comes from Pityme and St Minver. To the north-east, Rock connects with the nearby areas of Splatt and Pityme.
A southern part of Rock is called Stoptide. Rock is most famous for its beautiful waterfront along the estuary.
The Estuary and Dunes
To the north-west, a road runs next to the estuary. This road leads to where you catch the ferry. It also leads to a sandy beach with sand dunes. When the tide is low, this beach stretches for two miles. It goes past Brea Hill all the way to Daymer Bay.
To the south of Rock is a small coastal area called Porthilly. Here you can find St Michael's Church right on the bank of Porthilly Cove.
Rock Dunes: A Special Place
The sand dunes to the west of Rock village are called Rock Dunes. They are located along the banks of the River Camel. These dunes are a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means they are protected because they have special plants and animals, and interesting geology.
You can find different types of plants growing in these young dunes. The area also has various kinds of slate rock.
Fun Things to Do in Rock
Rock is a very popular place for holidays. Back in 1881, the local hotel was made bigger. A new sea-wall was built, and a special bathing house was put on the beach.
Today, Rock is well-known for water sports. You can enjoy dinghy racing, waterskiing, windsurfing, and sailing. The Rock Sailing Club has its main building in a converted warehouse. This building is a famous spot in the village. A Rock Lifeboat Station was set up in 1994 to help people on the water.
Travel and Local Businesses
The Black Tor Ferry takes people across the river to the town of Padstow. This ferry brings many visitors to Rock. In recent years, Rock has seen a lot of new buildings and has become more prosperous. There are many holiday homes and different shops.
Rock is also home to Sharp's Brewery, a local business that started in the mid-1990s. It is now owned by Molson Coors.
Because of its popularity with holidaymakers, Rock has sometimes been called 'Britain's Saint-Tropez'. It has also been called 'Chelsea-on-Sea'. Some famous visitors have even arrived by helicopter!
See also
In Spanish: Rock (Cornualles) para niños
