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Cardinham is a quaint and serene village in the very heart of the Cornish countryside, on the south-west fringe of Bodmin Moor amid a cluster of quiet neighbouring hamlets, that together form the local parish. If you are looking to explore the inland delights of the Cornish countryside, away from the bustle of the coastal resorts, then a holiday in Cardinham provides an idyllic base-camp for your adventure.

The pretty little village of Cardinham has an ancient history and was once home to a Norman castle, the earthwork mound which is still visible. The charming village church also has an intriguing history, and despite being damaged during WWII bombing, it has some interesting curiosities for the heritage seeker. The church has fascinating memorials, and still contains original carved bench ends from the medieval period.

However, for most visitors looking to base their holiday in Cardinham, the local countryside will be the premier attraction, with the village sandwiched between the joint delights of Cardinham Woods and Bodmin Moor. Cardinham Woods is a 650 acre stretch of woodland that is located just a short drive south-west of the village. The dog-friendly woodland retreat has been designed to provide everything for visiting families, with dedicated picnic, barbecue and play areas and a selection of six walking and three cycling trails. The woodland is picturesque and delightfully diverse, providing stunning viewpoints, sun-dappled woody glades and dreamy stream tracks and trails. If your woodland adventure leaves you with an appetite, then the Woods Café offers a quaint location within which you can enjoy some delicious homemade food, all sourced with local ingredients. Visitors to the dog-friendly Woods Café can enjoy a Cornish cream tea in the plentiful outdoor seating during the summer or nestle up to a cosy open fire during the colder winter months.

In the opposite direction, just to the north east of Cardinham village, sits the ancient, breath-taking, and dramatic expanse of Bodmin Moor. Offering over 80 square miles of granite moorland, Bodmin Moor provides a boundless scope for hiking, picnics, and holiday exploration. Quite simply, Bodmin Moor has something for everyone. Hikers can enjoy the many hills, including ‘Brown Willy’ - Cornwall’s highest peak, plus an abundance of invigorating walks. Heritage lovers can explore the many ruins and curiosities of the Moor, the history of which dates back to the Neolithic period. Today the landscape is punctuated with remnants of bygone habitats and industries, including Bronze age hut circles, medieval farms, and Victorian mining operations. 

The Moor also has some curious folklore and is home to the Dozmary Pool, which is reputed to be the origin of the Lady in the Lake from Arthurian legend. More recently, the Moor has been cited as home to the legendary ‘Beast of Bodmin’, an elusive big cat (or maybe several) that can be seen roaming the moorland. However, there is no need to panic, as tales of the beast are yet to be substantiated by any real photographic evidence! 

Nature lovers can marvel at the diverse habitats provided by the Moor that provide a home to a rich array of birds and animals, including over 1000 ponies, 10,000 cows and 55,000 sheep. The area has been assigned as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by Bird Life International. It is home to a variety of species, including a large colony of European Stonechats and a winter population of Eurasian Golden Plovers. It is little wonder that the Moor has earned its title as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), with a unique appeal that draws visitors from far and wide.

A Holiday in Cardinham provides a charming and quintessentially Cornish retreat, from which you can indulge in the joint delights of Cardinham Woods and Bodmin Moor.

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Holidays in Cardinham

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About Cardinham

Cardinham is a quaint and serene village in the very heart of the Cornish countryside, on the south-west fringe of Bodmin Moor amid a cluster of quiet neighbouring hamlets, that together form the local parish. If you are looking to explore the inland delights of the Cornish countryside, away from the bustle of the coastal resorts, then a holiday in Cardinham provides an idyllic base-camp for your adventure.

The pretty little village of Cardinham has an ancient history and was once home to a Norman castle, the earthwork mound which is still visible. The charming village church also has an intriguing history, and despite being damaged during WWII bombing, it has some interesting curiosities for the heritage seeker. The church has fascinating memorials, and still contains original carved bench ends from the medieval period.

However, for most visitors looking to base their holiday in Cardinham, the local countryside will be the premier attraction, with the village sandwiched between the joint delights of Cardinham Woods and Bodmin Moor. Cardinham Woods is a 650 acre stretch of woodland that is located just a short drive south-west of the village. The dog-friendly woodland retreat has been designed to provide everything for visiting families, with dedicated picnic, barbecue and play areas and a selection of six walking and three cycling trails. The woodland is picturesque and delightfully diverse, providing stunning viewpoints, sun-dappled woody glades and dreamy stream tracks and trails. If your woodland adventure leaves you with an appetite, then the Woods Café offers a quaint location within which you can enjoy some delicious homemade food, all sourced with local ingredients. Visitors to the dog-friendly Woods Café can enjoy a Cornish cream tea in the plentiful outdoor seating during the summer or nestle up to a cosy open fire during the colder winter months.

In the opposite direction, just to the north east of Cardinham village, sits the ancient, breath-taking, and dramatic expanse of Bodmin Moor. Offering over 80 square miles of granite moorland, Bodmin Moor provides a boundless scope for hiking, picnics, and holiday exploration. Quite simply, Bodmin Moor has something for everyone. Hikers can enjoy the many hills, including ‘Brown Willy’ - Cornwall’s highest peak, plus an abundance of invigorating walks. Heritage lovers can explore the many ruins and curiosities of the Moor, the history of which dates back to the Neolithic period. Today the landscape is punctuated with remnants of bygone habitats and industries, including Bronze age hut circles, medieval farms, and Victorian mining operations. 

The Moor also has some curious folklore and is home to the Dozmary Pool, which is reputed to be the origin of the Lady in the Lake from Arthurian legend. More recently, the Moor has been cited as home to the legendary ‘Beast of Bodmin’, an elusive big cat (or maybe several) that can be seen roaming the moorland. However, there is no need to panic, as tales of the beast are yet to be substantiated by any real photographic evidence! 

Nature lovers can marvel at the diverse habitats provided by the Moor that provide a home to a rich array of birds and animals, including over 1000 ponies, 10,000 cows and 55,000 sheep. The area has been assigned as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by Bird Life International. It is home to a variety of species, including a large colony of European Stonechats and a winter population of Eurasian Golden Plovers. It is little wonder that the Moor has earned its title as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), with a unique appeal that draws visitors from far and wide.

A Holiday in Cardinham provides a charming and quintessentially Cornish retreat, from which you can indulge in the joint delights of Cardinham Woods and Bodmin Moor.


Things to do
Food & drink
Beaches

Things To Do In Cardinham

Pinsla Gardens
(2 miles)

An artists garden set in wild woodland with something for everyone.  Step through the arched gateway into the fantasy garden, explore the secret paths, find peaceful hideaways and be immersed in the scents, textures and colour of the unusual plants and natural sculptures. 

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Enjoy 2 for 1 admission tickets with your Toad Hall Cottages Discount Card

 

 

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Bodmin & Wenford Railway
(4 miles)

Enjoy the nostalgic experience of the Bodmin & Wenford railway! Travel back in time through 13 miles of picturesque Cornish countryside that harks back to a 1950s branch line. Most journeys are powered by steam locomotives however some diesels operate on the line too. Trains run between Bodmin General and Bodmin Parkway.

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Dragon Leisure Centre Pool & Flume Slide
(4 miles)

The marvelously named Dragon Leisure Centre in Bodmin is home to a 25-metre indoor swimming pool and learner pool consisting of six lanes, catering to kids, and their parents who may want to have a little time to themselves.  There’s also a flume, and a spectator friendly area on poolside, as well as lots of opportunities to join one of the structured activities or just pop along for a casual swim.  

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Carnglaze Caverns
(5 miles)

(6)

A family-run business, this underground experience is open all year round for self-guided tours.  Set in Quarry Wood, the 6.5-acre site encompassing ancient woodland and beautiful walks, is also home to three caverns and a spectacularly beautiful underground lake, hand created by slate miners.  There’s a The Terrace Garden and Enchanted Dell for children, The Rum Store for underground concerts and events, and it’s licensed for weddings and civil partnerships.  When you visit, remember The Caverns are at a constant 10°C, so jumpers are a good idea and flip flops are recommended.  

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We visited on a wet day in February. Truly enjoyed both the caverns and the woodland walk. Loved the little signs on the walk.

February 2022


Have visited this attraction in the past and wished to revisit. Unfortunately we were unable to to book on the same day as visit which prevented us from going, although at this time of year(late September) I doubt it was busy.

September 2021


Totally blown away. The ladies where so knowledgeable and very helpful. A marvellous place to visit x

July 2021


A great visit, staff very approachable and knowledgeable about the history and working of the mine. Woodland walks were an added adventure with fairies and dragons to spot on the way round and keep the kids interested.

August 2020


Easy parking with available toilets. Not too sure about disabled access,though,ok if you can actually walk but not too good if in a wheelchair from what i see. It is an interesting place though. Flash photography is not allowed as there are bats in the caves. The inside is actually quite pleasant and can be wet. Outside there are a a couple of interesting walks,mostly uphill,so be prepared. Its an interesting attraction that will be a couple of hours at least.

September 2019


We all enjoyed our visit here on a rainy day. It was good to see this mine.

July 2017


Lanhydrock National Trust
(5 miles)

(7)

A spectacular, late Victorian country house, garden and wooded estate, Lanhydrock has the vibe of a wealthy but unpretentious family home with a delightful history to learn about on your visit.  The National Trust property was devastated by fire in 1881 and was then refurbished in the latest modern style of the time.  It’s a beautiful example of upstairs/downstairs living with the division between the servants’ quarters and family accommodation evident as you wander from the elegant dining room to the bedrooms, nurseries and kitchens.  The house has a restaurant, café and tea room to relax in, guided walks, workshops and activities, so you can visit and get stuck in or simply enjoy the location as you wish.

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Interesting house, wel. Worth a visit.

September 2023


Lovely place to visit the passenger cart was a help as it was raining very hard.

July 2023


COR!! Are you of a stout constitution? Very very long walk down impressive drive to a really huge place with its own church attached - register at the gatehouse and Jubilate!! coffee and 'comfort' station at hand.....I'd gone for the gardens so ignored the stately pile, went beyond church and started trekking - theres a lot of it to see - you really need a couple or three days to do all that Llanhydrock has to offer - and you still would want to come back for mor.e five stars and an A plus plus+++ from me!

May 2022


excellent find of old Victorian Manor House ...shame they ran out of cream teas at 13:30 .. and in Cornwall of all places ...

August 2021


The high point was the refurbished kitchens

June 2021


A great day out especially on a rainy day. All the family enjoyed it.

August 2019


The kitchen and adjoining preparation rooms are amazing. An excellent day out.

April 2018

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