The Cornwall Guide 2016

Bodmin Moor
Discover the dramatic contrast between
wild and rugged Bodmin Moor and the
lush green hills of The Tamar Valley.
AND THE
TAMAR VALLEY
BODMIN MOOR AND THE TAMAR VALLEY
One hundred and fifty square miles of beautiful, wind
swept moorland provides the setting for excellent walks
and boundless opportunities to uncover just what makes
this area such a treasure. The importance of the moor
has earned it a number of designations including an Area
of Outstanding Natural Beauty and World Heritage Site
status in recognition of its 4,000-year-old tin mining
industry. Most of the moor has been declared a Site of
Special Scientific Interest.
Liskeard, a busy market town, lies at the gateway to the moor
a few miles inland from the South Coast. Here 19th Century
buildings give a glimpse of the town’s prosperous past, once
a centre for the mining industry. Beyond, hallmarks of human
habitation in a wild land that stretch back 6,000 years include
burial chambers, ancient stones and holy wells, like the fine
example at the village of St Cleer. Made famous by Daphne du
Maurier’s novel, the Jamaica Inn at Bolventor is an imposing
sight in a bleak landscape. Just one of the historical wonders
to be found in the area, a 12th Century church at Temple
was originally built by the Knights Templers for travellers
on pilgrimage to Ireland. The town of Bodmin is a good spot
to base yourself to explore the surrounding area, and is also
the starting point of the Camel Trail cycle trail that leads all
the way to Padstow. Five miles away, the village of Blisland
has a fine Norman church, pretty stone houses and
award-winning pub on the village green from where you
can access the edge of the moor.
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The ancient Cornish
capital of Launceston on
the edge of the moor,
with its narrow streets
and 1000-year-old
castle, offers a good
selection of shops, a
market in the town
square and some
delightful art galleries.
Nearby, Hallworthy’s
busy market is bursting
with local produce
and weekly livestock
auctions.
The sheltered setting and
gentle climate of the Tamar
Valley allows for a rich and
diverse vegetation and
it’s easy to see why it has
been designated an Area
of Outstanding Natural
Beauty. Lying on the banks
of the slow moving Tamar
River, the picturesque
village of Calstock hosts
a multitude of fairs,
festivals and art exhibitions
throughout the year. The
area’s prosperous farming
heritage can still be enjoyed
through an amazing array
of produce such as fresh
vegetables, soft fruits and
flowers that are often sold
on the roadside, and at
Cothele House you can
learn about the area’s
historic commerce in
a fascinating museum.
This stunning estuary is
a haven for wildlife and is
best appreciated from the
water on a boat trip or even
explored by canoe.