Until 1964 the Atlantic Coast Express provided Padstow and other now-marooned resorts with a direct rail connection to London and allowed holidaymakers a wide choice of holiday destinations in south west England. In 1967 all services to Padstow ceased, the rails were lifted and the trackbed abandoned. Later North Cornwall District Council re-opened it as a cyclepath and footpath from Padstow to near the terminus at Wenfordbridge. Recently there's been a proposal to reopen the northern section to rail freight to allow the china clay works at Wenford to transfer back to rail and eliminate 8300 lorry movements from the area's narrow country roads. 

The famous bridge over Little Petherick Creek, completed in 1899, saw only 67 years use before the line closed and it was left to rot. An application for lottery funding to treat the rust, undertake repairs and extend the  trail to the full width of the bridge has been approved so happier times lie ahead.

Sir John Betjeman often travelled this way and described it as "the most beautiful train journey I know", but traffic was always very seasonal and as such the line attracted the disapproval of Dr. Beeching as Britain sank deeper into the dark age of reducing public transport and mass car ownership.

We paused at Hellandbridge to admire the last remaining mediaeval bridge across the Camel - all the rest were swept away by floods in the 19th century.

The Camel Trail continues a little further but the West Country Way takes its leave at Tresarrett, where we pushed our bikes up a steep hill to Blisland and refreshment at the Blisland Inn. While the others chose the sensible soft drink option I couldn't resist trying the local brews, Blisland Pride and Independence Day Ale, direct from the barrel - excellent brews both.

Luckily we we didn't have far to go for our overnight stay at Camelford.