Camelford

Camelford is a small market town in north Cornwall on the edge of Bodmin Moor, with the River Camel running through it. Rough Tor and Brown Willy - Cornwall’s two highest points - are within easy reach, and the Atlantic coast at Boscastle and Tintagel is only 15 minutes by car.

The town itself is compact and unpretentious, with a handful of independent shops, pubs and cafes. But the real reason to base yourself here is access to the moor. Rough Tor and Brown Willy, Cornwall’s highest points, are within easy reach. The walking is superb - empty, windswept and nothing like the crowded coastal paths. Davidstow airfield and the cheese factory are nearby, and the dramatic Atlantic coast at Boscastle and Tintagel is only fifteen minutes by car.

Camelford works well as an affordable, quiet base for walkers and anyone who wants to experience inland Cornwall. The moor has a mood of its own - wild ponies, standing stones, and a silence that you won’t find anywhere near the coast in summer. The Grade II listed town hall on Market Place dates from 1806, and the town market is held on Fridays. The town is also remembered for the 1988 water contamination incident at Lowermoor.