Rock (Cornish: Karrek) is a coastal village in Cornwall, United Kingdom. It is situated opposite Padstow on the northeast bank of the River Camel estuary. The village is in the civil parish of St Minver approximately four miles (6.5 km) northest of Wadebridge.
The main residential area is set back from the coast along the road from Pityme and St Minver. To the northeast, Rock is contiguous with the settlements of Splatt and Pityme. However, Rock is best known for its river frontage. To the northwest, the road runs beside the river as a cul de sac giving access to the ferry boarding point and an intertidal beach backed by sand dunes which at low water extends for two miles past Brea Hill to Daymer Bay. To the south is the small coastal settlement of Porthilly with St Michaels Church situated on the bank of Porthilly Cove.
The original name recorded in the 14th century was Blaketore, Black Tor. This had become Black Rock by the 18th Century and was subsequently shortened to Rock. The name of the ferry that operates between Rock and Padstow recalls the original place name.
Rock is popular with holidaymakers and is a well-established centre for water sports including dinghy racing, waterskiing, windsurfing, and sailing. Rock Sailing Club’s headquarters in a converted warehouse on a wharf is a local landmark.
The Black Tor Ferry operates across the river to the larger town of Padstow, and this is a major source of tourist traffic through Rock. The early 21st century has seen extensive building work and increased prosperity for Rock, there a large number of holiday homes, as well as a number of retail outlets. Rock is also home to Sharp’s Brewery, an independent Real Ale Brewery established in the mid 1990s.
Rock has been referred to as ‘Britain’s Saint-Tropez’ and the ‘Kensington of Cornwall’ due to its popularity with affluent holidaymakers (including Prince Harry, third in the line of succession to the British Throne), Hugh Grant, the Rothschilds, the Sainsburys, and the Freuds).
Affluent visitors such as Mohamed Al-Fayed and Jay Kay of Jamiroquai often arive by helicopter.
Rock
