Jamaica Inn

The Jamaica Inn, perched high on Bodmin Moor near Launceston, is a legendary 18th-century coaching inn steeped in history and mystery. Built around 1750, it once served as a refuge for travelers crossing the desolate moor, but its isolated location also made it a haven for smugglers. Illicit goods like brandy, tea, and rum were secretly stored and traded here, giving rise to its shadowy reputation.

Today, the inn masterfully blends historic charm with modern comforts. Its 36 individually styled en-suite rooms span the original building and newer additions, many offering sweeping moorland views. Guests can explore two small on-site museums—one showcasing Cornwall’s smuggling history and another dedicated to du Maurier—along with a farm shop, gift store, and regular themed events like ghost hunts and murder mystery evenings. With its sloping floors, granite fireplaces, and cobbled courtyards, the Jamaica Inn retains an authentic, timeworn character that transports visitors back to Cornwall’s wilder days.

At the heart of the Jamaica Inn experience is its traditional Smuggler’s Bar and Restaurant, a cozy pub full of character. With its low beams, roaring log fires, and vintage décor, it’s the perfect place to relax after exploring the moor. The pub serves hearty, home-cooked Cornish dishes all day—from carveries and cream teas to fresh seafood and vegetarian options—alongside a fine selection of local ales, ciders, and the inn’s very own Jamaica Inn rum. Welcoming locals, tourists, and even four-legged friends, the pub offers not just great food and drink but a warm and atmospheric taste of Cornwall’s storied past.