Discover North Cornwall

Discover the delights of North Cornwall's coastal and country towns, where you can spend a great day out enjoying a taste of local cuisine and culture amidst the echoes of times long gone.

Bodmin & Launceston

If you want to dig deep into North Cornwall's history - and hunt for gifts and souvenirs along the way - then head inland to the historic Cornish towns in the foothills of Bodmin Moor. In the County town of Bodmin, call in first at the Shire Hall, where you can take in the art exhibitions and witness the recreation of a famous 19th century murder trial. Follow the town trail to St Petroc's Church, and discover Bodmin's turbulent history in the Town Museum and the Regimental Museum of the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry. Once Cornwall's ancient capital, Launceston is dominated by an imposing Norman castle; if you climb its battlements you'll get an archer's eye view of the town's medieval city gates, Georgian houses, market square, and the carved church of St Mary Magdalene. Then wander the town's bustling narrow streets and fascinating shops full of local produce.

Camelford & Wadebridge

Midway between the moors and the coast lies Camelford, where you can picnic in the riverside park, enjoy a pint and a pasty at one of the pubs, stop off at the North Cornwall Museum & Gallery and drop in at the sports centre and pool.
Downstream is Wadebridge, at the heart of Betjeman Country. Here you can browse amongst craft shops and antique boutiques, or treat yourself at one of the cafes on the Town Quay or the pedestrianised shopping centre. Don't miss the leisure centre, riverside walks and Camel Trail - 18 miles of traffic-free walking and cycling.

Bude & Padstow

You'll soon find that Bude has a lot more to offer besides the seaside - including a golf course, a busy shopping centre, restaurants and evening concerts. When you've visited the Bude Heritage Centre, perhaps it's time for the children to let rip at Bude Splash Centre. Surrounding Padstow's busy harbour is a beguiling jumble of gift, book and craftshops, inns and cafes, churches and chapels. You can follow the town trail, drop in at the museum and savour fresh seafood at the many restaurants - including those serving Rick Stein's celebrated recipes.

The quest for King Arthur

According to Tennyson, it was at Tintagel Castle that the infant Arthur was swept by the sea into Merlin's Cave. Listen to storytellers among the battlements, and you'll feel the legendary Knights of the Round Table riding in on the sea mist. Continue on the Arthurian trail and ponder the mystery of King Arthur's Hall near St Breward, and the Slaughterbridge stone said to mark the spot where he fell in battle. On Bodmin Moor, at Dozmary Pool, you can imagine the shimmering arm of the Lady of the Lake rising from the depths to receive Excalibur.

Arthurian legend is brought to life in the Battle of Camlann, staged in August at Tintagel, and at Stratton the Civil War skirmish of Stamford Hill is re-enacted each May with the clash of sword and roar of musket. In a land where tales of wrecks and smugglers still abound, truth and myth go hand-in-hand. When the gale rattles the windows at Jamaica Inn on a stormy night they'll tell you it's the howling wind-spirit of the wicked lawyer Jan Tregeagle - or even the Beast of Bodmin Moor!

And there's more to Discover! In North Cornwall all the world's a stage - and in North Cornwall that includes cliff-tops, quaysides, village greens and gardens. Whether it's flamenco or folk, poetry or pantomime - we'll make a song and dance about it!

Imagine the magic of Shakespeare under the summer stars in the gardens at Pencarrow, or the poetry of John Betjeman recited by the Camhayle Theatre Players high on Brae Hill, overlooking St Enodoc church where he is buried. When New Orleans comes to Bude in August for the annual Jazz Festival, you can really get into the swing of things, with eight days of trad and big band sounds. You'll also hear renowned musicians blowing their own trumpets in Music in the Park at Lanhydrock in July, Pencarrow Gardens in August, and at Padstow's Prideaux Place and Sterts Arts & Environmental Centre on Bodmin Moor. If you prefer your music more topical and tropical, then pack a picnic and pass a balmy night at the Eden Project host to legendary evening sessions every summer.

Classical and Folk Festivals

On the quayside in Padstow and Port Isaac you'll find traditional brass bands every week in summer, while deep underground the cathedral-shaped caves of Carnglaze Slate Caverns echo with the unexpected delights of opera. Classical music lovers should also make a note of the celebrated spring and summer St Endellion Music Festivals, with choral, orchestral and chamber concerts. Want something lively? Then the Cornwall Folk Festival at Wadebridge will strike a chord - three days and nights of folk music and dance will get your feet a-tapping.

Inspired works of art

North Cornwall has always inspired writers - Winston Graham's Poldark series, Daphne du Maurier's Jamaica Inn or Thomas Hardy's A Pair of Blue Eyes are all recommended bedtime and beachtime reading. In moorland villages or quayside netlofts you'll come across galleries, workshops and studios where artists and craftworkers interpret the light and life of land and seascape, using words and paint, textile, clay or wood - just the place to pick up a perfect North Cornwall holiday souvenir.