Cornwall gazetteer W

Wadebridge
Wadebridge was once a busy port on the River Camel, importing coal, timber and limestone while exporting iron ore, china clay and salt. There is an interesting old bridge over the Camel, built originally of 17 spans in the 15th century, and known as the Bridge on Wool - probably because it was financed by wealth wool farmers who wanted an easier crossing over the Camel. It became a notorious traffic bottleneck in the post war years, until it was bypassed.
 
The railway linking Wadebridge to Bodmin was one of the earliest in Britain when built in 1834. It was later extended to Padstow. The railway is now closed, but the track is used for the Camel Trail, immensely popular with walkers and cyclists - Wadebridge in summer now looks as if cyclists are taking it over.
 
Just outside the town is the permanent site for the Royal Cornwall Show, held in June each year.
 
Upstream , on the opposite bank of the Camel is Egloshayle, with a riverside church and a fine old inn - The Earl of St Vincent.
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