Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Bodmin, Cornwall

With a granite-built townscape that embodies respectability, Bodmin’s appearance is a reflection of Cornwall’s tin-mining boom in the 19th century.

This was the county town of Cornwall until the late 19th century, and structures such as the Shire Hall and the imposing silhouette of Bodmin Jail testify to that historical status.

Bodmin Moor presents a haunting landscape characterized by granite hills, marshes, and heathland, adorned with prehistoric monuments.

In the Camel Valley, award-winning wines are cultivated, which coincides with an 18-mile scenic cycling trail that traces the path of abandoned 19th-century railway lines.

The town’s periphery features elegant country houses and the remnants of a circular Medieval castle.

Let us investigate the most noteworthy activities in Bodmin:

1. Lanhydrock House

• Pin

A magnificent Victorian country house, Lanhydrock underwent significant reconstruction following a fire in 1881. Some components from the original structure, dating back to the 1620s, remain, such as the 35-metre Long Gallery (which includes a Steinway piano and intricate plasterwork), the front porch, and the gatehouse.

The allure of Lanhydrock lies in the striking juxtaposition of “Upstairs and Downstairs,” where the preserved kitchens and staff quarters can be explored alongside the opulent family residence, featuring its refined dining room and bedrooms.

The estate spans 1,000 acres, encompassing landscaped parkland, woodlands, and pathways adjacent to streams and the River Fowey.

Visitors are often captivated by the poignant views of the valley landscape.

During spring, the garden is a spectacle, showcasing a plethora of cream and white magnolias, with 120 distinct species blooming.

2. Bodmin Jail

• Pin

Bodmin Jail is undergoing a six-month closure to complete a new £8.5 million immersive visitor experience, set to reopen in May 2020.

A formidable sight nearly a century post-closure, Bodmin Jail immerses visitors in the life of a Victorian prisoner.

Constructed in 1779 during the reign of King George III, the jail utilized 20,000 tons of granite sourced from the Cuckoo Quarry on Bodmin Moor.

Despite its forbidding external appearance, the jail was equipped with a sophisticated heating and cooling system, and the wood-panelled Old Chapel (currently a restaurant) exudes sophistication.

Bodmin Jail was secure enough to safeguard state documents, the Domesday Book, and the Crown Jewels during the First World War.

Visitors can navigate across six levels, exploring the desolate cells and contemplating the grim existence of a prisoner in the 1800s.

It becomes increasingly unsettling in the Execution Shed and hanging pit.

There is no eerier locale than Bodmin Jail for watching a horror film, which occurs on Thursday evenings, complemented by a late-night tour of the corridors with a “medium.”

Website: http://www.bodminjail.org

3. Cornwall’s Regimental Museum

• Pin

The Keep (1827) at the old Victoria Barracks in Bodmin has been home to the Cornwall Regimental Museum since 1929. This institution chronicles the 300-year history of The Light Infantry, the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, and volunteer militia.

A notable figure, Harry Patch (d. 2009), who was the longest-surviving combat soldier of World War I, is commemorated with a small exhibition in his honor.

The museum boasts an intriguing collection of weaponry and over 80 uniforms dating back to the Napoleonic Wars.

Sir John Moore (d. 1809), the founder of the Light Infantry recognized for his innovative training methods, is honored through an exhibition featuring his ceremonial Order of the Bath silk mantle and a collection of personal memorabilia.

Of particular interest at the museum is the Washington Bible, printed in 1712 and utilized by George Washington at a Masonic ceremony.

4. St Petroc’s Church

• Pin

Cornwall’s largest parish church is also one of its oldest.

Dating from the 1470s, St Petroc’s preserves elements from a more ancient Norman structure, such as the tower on the northern side.

Inside, the intricately designed baptismal font was crafted in the 12th century.

The 15th-century woodwork, notably visible in the pulpit, reredos, wall paneling, and chancel screen, showcases exceptional craftsmanship.

At one time, the misericords from the same epoch were removed from the choir stalls and affixed to the lectern.

One of the images captures a figure with five fingers and a thumb!

5. Bodmin Moor

• Pin

It is impossible to discuss Bodmin without mentioning the 80-square-mile expanse of granite moorland that lies in the town’s vicinity.

Bodmin Moor features Cornwall’s two highest peaks—Brown Willy (420m) and Rough Tor (400m)—which rise above dramatic sweeps of heather and marshes.

This stark, rugged terrain has served as a filming location for the BBC’s Poldark TV series and is dotted with prehistoric sites, including standing stones and remnants of Iron Age settlements.

King Arthur’s Hall is a Neolithic or Bronze Age ceremonial site consisting of 56 stones arranged in a rectangle and bordered by an earthen bank.

Several locations throughout the moor are designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites due to their connection to a mining industry that dates back 4,000 years, while the absence of light pollution ensures clear night skies.

6. Bodmin and Wenford Railway

• Pin

At Bodmin Parkway station, visitors can embark on the Bodmin and Wenford Railway for a memorable 6.5-mile journey on a train powered by a steam locomotive.

This railway incorporates segments of the Great Western Railway branch line (1887) alongside a junction line that commenced operations a year later, connecting with the Bodmin And Wadebridge Railway (1834). The principal station is located further down the line at Bodmin General, with services operational from February to December, and daily train rides available from May to October.

While trains are in operation, visitors can enter the historical workshops at Bodmin General to explore the engines and carriages.

The railway organizes themed excursions for both children and adults, and for a unique experience, visitors can ride the luxurious Cornish Belle coaches for the renowned Cornish High Tea or dining services.

7. Bodmin Beacon

• Pin

Overlooking the southern reaches of Bodmin is a 162-metre granite hill situated within a nature reserve.

Dominating from the summit is the Beacon (1856), an obelisk standing 44 metres tall, dedicated to the British Army officer Sir Walter Gilbert, who spent most of his career in India.

After ascending the hill and taking in the views of Bodmin, visitors can stroll through the reserve’s meadows and newly established community woodland.

8. Shire Hall Courtroom Experience

• Pin

While jury duty might not be on your vacation agenda, it is precisely what awaits you at Bodmin’s early-Victorian Shire Hall.

You will be greeted by a court usher, who will provide an overview of the history of this significant structure.

The usher will recount the Victorian-era case of Matthew Weeks, who was infamously accused of murdering his girlfriend Charlotte Dymond and subsequently executed at Bodmin Jail.

Participants will subsequently attend a trial that employs audiovisual technology and animatronics to depict the details of the case.

Ultimately, you will determine whether Matthew Weeks was guilty of murder before exploring the Shire Hall’s dim holding cells.

9. The Camel Trail

• Pin

Bodmin lies along an 18-mile cycling route that connects Wenford Bridge to the north with the coastal town of Padstow to the west.

The Camel Trail occupies the former North Cornwall Railway (1899), which connected Padstow and Wadebridge, and the Bodmin and Wadebridge Railway from Wadebridge to Wenford Bridge (1834). The configuration of these railway lines, designed to avoid sharp turns and steep gradients, renders them ideal for leisurely family bike rides.

Most of the route is on the disused line, minimizing interactions with road traffic.

For those without bicycles, rental centers are available in Bodmin, such as Bodmin Bikes & Cycle Hire, located merely 400 meters from the trail.

The trail embodies the finest aspects of the North Cornwall countryside, meandering inland on the edge of Bodmin Moor and through the wooded, ravine-like Camel Valley en route to Padstow.

10. Pencarrow House and Gardens

• Pin

A residence of the Molesworth family since the 16th century, Pencarrow is an exquisite Palladian mansion set in formal gardens on the brink of Bodmin Moor.

The approach to Pencarrow is quite dramatic, as it leads you along a mile-long driveway that traverses an Iron Age hillfort.

Guided tours of the house are conducted from Sunday to Thursday from March to September.

Visitors can appreciate a wealth of exquisite items during the tours, including paintings by Joshua Reynolds and Samuel Scott, alongside Meissen, Worcester, Sèvres, and Kangxi period porcelain.

Among the museum’s finest pieces is the Qianlong-era famille rose bowl.

Additionally, there are remarkable items from the Great Exhibition (1851), precious 18th-century furniture, and exhibits of antique toys, costumes, and a rare portable shower from 1840. The gardens are accessible seven days a week and feature a sunken Italian garden, a palm house, an ice house, dense woodlands, and an early Medieval Cornish cross.

11. Camel Valley Vineyard

• Pin

This vineyard, situated on south-facing slopes in the Camel Valley, was initially planted in 1989 and has steadily garnered global recognition.

In 2005, one of its wines triumphed at the International Wine Challenge, and in 2009, Camel Valley secured the award for Best Traditional Method Sparkling Wine, surpassing established brands like Bollinger and Roederer at a competition in Verona in 2010. On a sunny afternoon, visitors can unwind on the terrace while sampling Camel Valley’s wines, and there are also two tour options available in the summer months.

From Monday to Friday, the “Guided Tour” offers insights into the annual lifecycle of the vines and the process by which their grapes are transformed into award-winning wines.

The “Grand Tour,” offered on Wednesday evenings and led by a winemaker, engages participants with detailed inquiries and includes a wine-tasting session.

Attendees will have the opportunity to sample at least five of Camel Valley’s wines, including its signature Cornwall Brut.

12. Cardinham Woods

• Pin

Located at the southwestern entrance to Bodmin Moor, Cardinham is a serene mixed woodland, cherished by walkers, cyclists, and equestrians.

There are four primary waymarked trails that guide visitors deep into the woods and up to scenic viewpoints.

The Lidcutt Valley Walk presents a challenging climb that rewards hikers with expansive vistas of the Lady Vale.

The 1.5-mile Lady Vale Walk offers a more leisurely option, leading to the Lady Vale Bridge, situated on the site of a 12th-century chapel.

Finally, the Wheal Glynn Walk directs visitors to the ruins of an old lead and silver mine, where the engine house and chimney stack still stand in testament to its history.

13. Bodmin Town Museum

• Pin

Visitors will find numerous engaging exhibits at the Town Museum.

Located on the lower ground floor of the charming Public Rooms, the galleries convey the town’s historical narrative.

Artifacts retrieved from what is believed to be the 6th-century Monastery of St Petroc are on display, along with earlier Neolithic and Bronze Age finds.

An exhibition dedicated to Bodmin’s very own Joint Services School for Linguists, which trained individuals to become fluent in Russian, is available for viewing.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, Cornwall gained prominence for its clock-making, and a notable example from the local brand, Belling of Bodmin, can be observed here.

Visitors can enter a recreation of a traditional Cornish kitchen and a blacksmith’s forge, learning about the achievements of Private James Henry Finn, who earned the Victoria Cross during World War I.

14. Restormel Castle

• Pin

Situated near the village of Lostwithiel, Restormel Castle features a uniquely circular configuration characteristic of the medieval period.

The castle is perched on a rise above the River Fowey.

Although it has stood in ruin since the 16th century, its 13th-century circular shell keep still surrounds the remnants of its primary chambers.

This luxurious residence was frequented by the Black Prince, the son of Edward III, on two occasions in the 14th century. Among Restormel Castle’s highlights is the Wall Walk.

This path allows visitors to traverse the battlements, giving a guard’s vantage of the Fowey Valley while reflecting on what life was like in the castle’s courtyard below.

The castle mound becomes a delight in spring, adorned with blooming daffodils and primroses.

15. Pinsla Garden and Nursery

• Pin

This quaint artist’s garden spans just 1.5 acres surrounding a charming 18th-century cottage.

Pinsla Garden draws inspiration from Bodmin’s enigmatic prehistory with a decorative stone circle that encompasses an array of bulbs, grasses, and wildflowers.

A variety of perennials and annuals ensure an ever-changing display of color and texture, while the shaded periphery of the adjacent woodland is planted with golden yews, small-leaved rhododendrons, bamboos, ferns, and acers.

The accompanying nursery is complimentary to enter and features sale items such as succulents, perennials, acers, scented geraniums, and various shade plants.