Editing Padstow (section)

==Transport==
===Maritime traffic===
Padstow had considerable importance in the Middle Ages as a manor belonging to Bodmin monastery and as the site of a safe haven (one of the few on the north coast). So it became a busy fishing port. Padstow prospered through trade with Ireland and the English and Welsh ports on the [[Bristol Channel]], and during the early 18th Century returned over £100 in duties related to coal imports for both the periods 1708-1710 and 1710-1713, more than any other cornish port except [[Falmouth, Cornwall|Falmouth]].<ref name=BHO>{{cite web |url= https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-treasury-books/vol23/cccxl-cccxliv |title= Declared Accounts: Customs, Coal |author=  |date= 2019 |website= British History Online |publisher=  University of London |access-date= 21 May 2022}}</ref> Later trade was the export of tin, copper, lead, slate, cured fish and dairy produce, as well as the importing of timber from Norway and Sweden, salt and wine from France, and hemp, iron and jute from Russia.

In the first half of the 19th century Padstow was a significant port of embarcation for emigrants, particularly those bound for Canada, and during the mid-19th century ships carrying timber from Canada such as the [[barque]]s ''[[Clio (barque)|Clio]]'', ''Belle'' and ''Voluna''; and the [[brig]] ''Dalusia'' were making the journey across the Atlantic.<ref name="Beacham, Peter 2014 p. 389"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ist.uwaterloo.ca/~marj/genealogy/ships/ships1843.html|title=Immigrants to Canada – Vessels Arriving at Quebec 1843|first=Marj|last=Kohli|website=ist.uwaterloo.ca|access-date=3 May 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090320210335/http://www.ist.uwaterloo.ca/~marj/genealogy/ships/ships1843.html|archive-date=20 March 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://freepages.history.rootsweb.com/~biblechristian/other/eynon_john_voyage.html|title=RootsWeb.com Home Page|website=freepages.history.rootsweb.com|access-date=3 May 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040911144302/http://freepages.history.rootsweb.com/~biblechristian/other/eynon_john_voyage.html|archive-date=11 September 2004}}</ref> [[Quebec City]] was a specific destination recorded and while such vessels brought timber, the offer of cheap travel to passengers wishing to emigrate enticed some to make the journey to Canada. Local shipbuilders also benefited from the quality of incoming cargoes, although shipbuilding had been practiced in Padstow for centuries and the town provided ships for the siege of [[Calais]] in 1346.<ref name=Topographical>{{cite web |url= https://www.british-history.ac.uk/topographical-dict/england/pp525-530#h3-0018 |title= A Topographical Dictionary of England. Originally published by S Lewis, London, 1848. |author=  |date=  |website= British History Online |publisher= University of London |access-date= 21 May 2022}}</ref> The practice continued, aided by the imported materials, and there five shipyards recorded in the late 19th century though by 1900 this had declined.<ref name="Beacham, Peter 2014 p. 389"/>

[[File:Padstow-Rock Ferry.JPG|thumb|left|Padstow-Rock ferry]]
The approach from the sea into the River Camel is partially blocked by the [[Doom Bar]], a [[sand bank|bank of sand]] extending across the estuary which is a significant hazard to shipping and the cause of many [[shipwreck]]s. [[Padstow Lifeboat Station|A lifeboat station]] was established in 1827.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Leach |first1=Nicholas |title=Padstow Lifeboats |date=2012 |publisher=The History Press |isbn=978-0-7524-6540-1 |pages=9–14}}</ref>

For ships entering the estuary, the immediate loss of wind due to the cliffs was a particular hazard, often resulting in ships being swept onto the Doom Bar. A manual capstan was installed on the west bank of the river (its remains can still be seen) and rockets were fired to carry a line to ships so that they could be winched to safety.

There have been ferries across the Camel estuary for centuries and the current service, the [[Black Tor Ferry]], carries pedestrians between Padstow and [[Rock, Cornwall|Rock]] daily throughout the year.
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[[File:Burgee of Padstow Sailing Club.svg|thumb|Burgee of Padstow Sailing Club, established in 1965]]
In 1964, the harbour commissioners regained control of the harbour from the [[British Transport Commission]] and then made some improvements to it.<ref>Noall, Cyril (1970) ''The Story of Cornwall's Ports and Harbours''. Truro: Tor Mark Press; pp. 43-44</ref> The harbour comprises a tidal outer harbour that is used by ships and commercial vessels, and a smaller inner harbour that is popular with [[yachtsmen]].  This inner harbour is a [[half tide dock]] that uses a "[[half tide dock#Gate-flap|gate-flap]]" to maintain water levels on an ebbing tide, so that the yachts within stay afloat at all stages of the tide.

===Railway===
From 1899 until 1967, [[Padstow railway station, Cornwall|Padstow railway station]] was the westernmost point of the former [[Southern Railway (England)|Southern Railway]]. The railway station was the terminus of an extension from [[Wadebridge railway station|Wadebridge]] of the former [[Bodmin and Wadebridge Railway]] and [[North Cornwall Railway]]. These lines were part of the [[London & South Western Railway]] (LSWR), then incorporated into the Southern Railway in 1923 and [[British Rail]]ways in 1948, but were proposed for closure as part of the [[Beeching cuts]] of the 1960s.

The LSWR (and Southern Railway) promoted Padstow as a holiday resort; these companies were rivals to the [[Great Western Railway]] (which was the larger railway in the West of England). Until 1964, Padstow was served by the ''[[Atlantic Coast Express]]'', a direct train service to/from [[London Waterloo railway station|London Waterloo]], but the station was closed in 1967. The old railway line is now the [[Camel Trail]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cameltrail.com|title=MacAce Test Page|website=www.cameltrail.com|access-date=3 May 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928035653/http://cameltrail.com/|archive-date=28 September 2017}}</ref> a footpath and cycle path which is popular owing to its picturesque route beside the River Camel. One of the railway mileposts is now embedded outside the Shipwright's Arms public house on the Harbour Front.

Today, the nearest railway station is at {{Stnlink|Bodmin Parkway}}, three miles southeast of Bodmin. [[Go Cornwall Bus]] operates buses to the station.

===Buses===

Padstow is served by bus services 56 from [[Newquay]] and 11/11A from [[Plymouth]] which also serves Bodmin Parkway as noted above.  Both are operated by [[Go Cornwall Bus]] and run hourly Monday to Saturday, less frequent on Sundays and Bank Holidays. There is also the Atlantic Coaster from Newquay, run with open top buses and provided by [[First Kernow]].

===Footpaths===
The [[South West Coast Path]] runs on both sides of the River Camel estuary and crosses from Padstow to Rock via the Black Tor ferry. The path gives walking access to the coast with [[Stepper Point]] and [[Trevose Head]] within an easy day's walk of Padstow.

The [[Saints' Way]] long-distance footpath runs from Padstow to [[Fowey]] on the south coast of Cornwall.

The [[Camel Trail]] cycleway follows the course of the former railway (''see above'') from Padstow. It is open to walkers, cyclists and horse riders and suitable for disabled access. The {{convert|17.3|mi|adj=on}} long route leads to [[Wadebridge]] and on to [[Wenford Bridge]] and [[Bodmin]], and is used by an estimated 400,000 users each year,<ref name =NCM>{{cite web | url = http://www.ncdc.gov.uk/media/adobe/north_cornwall_matters.pdf | title = North Cornwall Matters – Partnership Improves The Trail | access-date = 11 October 2007 | author = North Cornwall District Council | date = June 2003| work = North Cornwall Matters | publisher = North Cornwall District Council| page = 3|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071023090841/http://www.ncdc.gov.uk/media/adobe/north_cornwall_matters.pdf <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 23 October 2007 }}</ref> generating an income of approximately £3&nbsp;million a year.<ref name="NCM"/>