Cornwall - The Moor to River Tamar >> Towns >> Towns and Villages

Bodmin
A busy old market town, Bodmin has some very interesting architecture, including the notorious Bodmin Jail.

Callington
Callington is nowadays a small market town, although it once was the gateway to one of the richest copper mining districts in the world. Behind the town is the 1000ft high Kit Hill, crowned by an 80ft stack built in 1858 for the winding and stamping engine of the Kit Hill Consols mine.

Calstock
Perched on the banks of the great Tamar River, the historic waterway that divides Devon and Cornwall, Calstock is a pretty village full of whitewashed cottages that tumble down to the water’s edge. The skyline is dominated by an imposing viaduct that spans the river; an endless stream of boats of all shapes and sizes sail through the arches throughout the day. It is impossible to visit Calstock without getting on the water at least once – try a trip on the Tamar Passenger Ferry – a lovely open wooden boat which plies the river between Calstock and the National Trust’s historic Cotehele Quay.

Launceston
Launceston is almost entirely contained within its ancient original walls and has some unique architecture, including the imposing castle ruins that peer over the town.

Liskeard
One of the four original ‘stannary’ towns, Liskeard is scenically tucked into some very pretty countryside.

St Cleer
High on Bodmin Moor, St Cleer is set amid some of Cornwall’s most dramatic countryside. Step onto the moor itself and the views in every direction, across bracken and gorse clad hills with the ruins of old mining wheal houses dotted about, are glorious. Walking here you’ll share the landscape with wild ponies and a teeming population of moorland birds but it is the overwhelming sense of peace that brings ramblers back again and again.

St Neot
This friendly, welcoming village is a perfect base from which to discover the beautiful countryside of Bodmin Moor. Take off into the wilderness by foot, bike or horseback and you’ll find an incredible ancient landscape that has a distinctly primeval feel. In St Neot itself there are indulgent cream teas to be had in the tea rooms and good home cooking to be enjoyed in the village pub; The London Inn. There’s always something going on in St Neot, be it the Flower Festival, the carnival or Oak Apple Day, when the villagers celebrate the restoration of Charles II to the throne.