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Camelford Accommodation
Cycling along the Camel Trail running from Camelford down to BodminCamelford Tourist Information Camel Trail Walking Holidays Cornwall
Camelford, when competing with the likes of Cornwall surfing hotspots Bude and Newquay, may not be one of the biggest names in the Cornwall holiday firmament. But to overlook is to miss a great deal! Camelford is a picture postcard small market town perfectly placed in the centre of a network of woodland trails and ideally close to both the North Cornwall coast and Bodmin! It's only about 6 miles from the coast.
If your looking then for easy access to the beach, plus superb walking and Bodmin Moor just on your doorstep, then Camelford is the perfect spot. Amenities are excellent here too, with a choice of shops, excellent restaurants and pubs, a local leisure centre and a real community feel. There's plenty going on within and around Camelford, including superb walking direct into the moors from the town, nearby spectacular Rough Tor and indeed Cornwall's highest point at Brown Willy in Bodmin. Crowdy Reservoir near Camelford also offers excellent trout fishing.
Camelford Village
Camelford has it's fair share of Arthurian legend links, with some believing that the Camel in Camelford hints at this pretty little market town once being Camelot itself. Slaughter Bridge, just outside of Camelford, is sited as the spot of a horrendous battle where a warrior king was killed. All rather infectious this Arthurian Legend stuff! The name though has Celtic links, as Camelford was originally Camalanford from Cam meaning crooked and Alan meaning beautiful, with ford linked to the River Cam (crooked stream) being forded! The symbol of the Camel can be seen atop of the town hall, but the name has little to do with any links to camels!
The River Cam cuts through the town and Camelford has a significant history as a key medieval trading point, and a river crossing point for traders/travellers on their way from Launceston. Hardly surprising that superb walking and valleys surround Camelford, which sits 700 foot above sea level, making it one of the highest towns in England. Numerous buildings of interest can be viewed in the town, including opposite the car park the long building used as a jail for French prisoners during the Napoleonic Wars. Others include the 17th century Bridge House and the Masons Arms opposite dating from the 16th century and once an old coaching inn.
The Camelford Gallery, 23 Market Place Camelford North Cornwall PL32 9PD. Tel: 01840 213980. Open 10.30am - 6.00pm. Local artists sell their work here, the pottery is particularly good!
Camelford Tourist Information Centre, The Clease, Camelford, Cornwall, PL32 9PL. Tel: 01840 212954.
The North Cornwall Museum & Gallery
A particular highlight in Camelford is the superb North Cornwall Museum & Gallery, which does well in giving visitors an insight into North Cornwall life from 50 to 100 years ago. The history of farming in the area is particularly explored as well as dairy farming, cider making and wagons. There's a reconstruction of a moorland cottage dating from the turn of the century.
Quarrying, a prevalent industry in the area particularly the local slate quarrying in nearby Delabole gets a look in here too, with tools on display. There's some interesting Cornish and Devon pottery here too, plus an interesting diversion into ancient vacuum cleaners and a collection of lace bonnets. The in-house gallery displays the work of local artists, and has changing craft and painting exhibitions. Well worth a nose for a bit of social history of the area too!
Open from 1st April - 30th September from 10am - 5pm daily except Sunday. The North Cornwall Museum and Gallery is also the location for tourist information on the area.
North Cornwall Museum & Gallery, The Clease, Camelford, Cornwall, PL32 9PL. Tel: 01840 212 954.
Cornwall Walking Holidays in Camelford
Camelford is simply perfect for walkers and cyclists. Passed by the Camel Trail cycle path, Camelford is excellently placed to access superb walking both into Bodmin Moor and splendid Rough Tor, or north to the coast for spectacular coastal walking along the South West Coast Path.
The Camel Trail is actually a disused railway track, and runs along the Camel Estuary, all the way from Padstow to Wadebridge, and on pass Camelford into Bodmin Moor. Walk, cycle or horse ride along the Camel Trail, all are welcome. Check the Camel Trail Web links to the right for maps and details. It's a well marked trail, popular with families visiting the area in summer! Lots of outlets to hire bikes in the area too!
To the south of Camelford, into Bodmin Moor is glorious Rough Tor. The hike, rather than walk, is superb from Camelford to Rough Tor, which is the second hightest point in Cornwall. There are ancient burial and bronze age sites in this area as well, akin to those on Dartmoor.
Camelford Attractions
Fancy a spot of wine tasting, and a tour of a vineyard? Camel Valley Vineyard and Wine tasting tours are just the ticket. Check out their website to the right for more details. Camel Valley Ltd. Nanstallon, Bodmin, Cornwall, PL30 5LG. Tel: 01208 77959.
Just one mile north of Camelford on the Boscastle Road sits a little gem, The British Cycling Museum. Well, actually it's not that little, it happens to be the largest cycling museum in the UK! It's a fascinating museum, with a mammoth collection of cycles and an exploration into the history of cycling since 1818. Lots of photographs too. Highly recommended! The British Cycling Museum, The Old Station, Camelford, Cornwall. PL32 9TZ. Tel: 01840 212811. Open all year round, Sunday -Thursday 10.00am - 5.00pm.
