If you're visiting Cornwall, your trip wouldn't be complete without seeing Bodmin Moor. It's a fascinating and unspoilt landscape of ancient sites, mighty granite tors, boulders and vast swathes of grass, moor and heathland covering some 200 square km.
The moor has mostly remained untouched for centuries and still provides open grazing for copious numbers of ponies, sheep and cattle whose nibbling keeps the landscape free from scrub and bracken. As an Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty, holidays in Bodmin Moor are full of plentiful birds and wildlife – you may even see otters if you're lucky! River valleys carve through the landscape lined by woods and plant life. The moor's crystal clear rivers are liberally sprinkled with fish including good-size trout and the celebrated king of the river, the mighty salmon.
Bodmin Moor is very much 'Poldark' country, and your Bodmin Moor holiday wouldn't be complete without seeing the set of the hit period drama TV series. A large portion of the outdoor scenes were filmed on Bodmin Moor, including Poldark's farmhouse home of Nampara.
Saddle up on two wheels or don some sturdy shoes and head out for a bike ride or trek in this amazing landscape. Pack a rucksack of nibbles and tipples and explore the walk between the two well-known peaks, Rough Tor (400m) and Brown Willy (420m) for spectacular 360-degree views across much of Cornwall, from north to south coast. There are plenty of family walks to explore when on holiday in Bodmin Moor, such as Cardinham Woods, around the various lakes and riverbanks.
Seeing the moor on horseback is another option, with local stables offering treks for all abilities from an hours' walk to a pub trek stopping at one of Bodmin Moor’s historic pubs, cafes and inns. The 300-year-old Jamaica Inn, made famous by Daphne du Maurier's bestselling book, is in the centre of the moor. The inn serves good food, real ales and plays host to its heritage with a souvenir shop and museum depicting tales of pirates and smuggling through the ages. Opposite Jamaica Inn is Dozmary Pool where legend has it, King Arthur's Lady of the Lake handed him the sword Excalibur.
Crowdy Reservoir is a super spot for birdwatching and fishing. It's just a twenty-minute walk around the lake, so a nice pitstop for a home-made lunch bought from one of the many farm shops. Colliford Lake is the largest in Cornwall covering some 900 acres offering lovely walks around its perimeter. For fishing holidays in Bodmin Moor, it's a well-known spot for anglers looking for some rod action as it's one of Cornwall's largest trout fisheries. For non-fishing folk, there are bountiful picnic areas to settle down with a book and relax. Another lake worth visiting for trout fishing is Siblyback Lake Country Park which also hosts a posse of activities for all ages. There's a great little café, cycle and walking routes and youngsters are happily occupied in the large play area.
Golitha Falls are a must see when you holiday in Bodmin Moor, for the collection of exciting cascades and waterfalls spanning a 90 metre descent of the River Fowey. Visit in late spring for walks through violet-blue carpets of bluebells under a canopy of ancient oaks trees, hazel coppices and fallen trunks cloaked in moss. In summer, butterflies flutter and woodland flowers thrive.
When the sun sets, there's action up above from bats swooping through the trees, but the best part of night-time when on holiday in Bodmin Moor is its location for stargazing. Take a camp chair, wrap up warm with a flask of something hot to drink and stare into the inky black sky to spot sparkly constellations.
Oh, and keep an eye out for the infamous 'Beast of Bodmin', somewhat folklore, somewhat mystery, people claim to have seen it, but its existence hasn't been confirmed…yet.
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