Steve's World Blog Information and articles on cities, towns and villages around the world.

The north coast of Cornwall is dotted with many pretty coastal towns and villages and is also an area noted for its surfing, one of the best know being at Polzeath, just north of Padstow, where high rollers crash in from the Atlantic Ocean. In 2007, some 300 surfers arrived in Polzeath in an attempt to set a world record for the highest number of surfers to ride one wave. High rollers and dangerous sand bars also make this area tricky for ships and many have been wrecked on the approach to Padstow harbour, the notorious Doom Bar being the most dangerous. Five miles up the River Camel, things are a little quieter and the town of Wadebridge has been a successful market town since the early 14^th century, the town did however see action during the English Civil War, when even Oliver Cromwell though it important enough to take control of the bridge. Some way south of Padstow and Wadebridge the village of St Agnes attracts hikers, artists and holidaymakers, who visit to enjoy the beautiful coastline and countryside and the fine beaches of which there are at least 5 in the immediate area. Part of the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site, St Agnes was an important tin mining area in days past.