Cardinham, Cornwall – Cardinham Woods & Village on the Edge of Bodmin Moor
Cardinham in Cornwall
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CARDINHAM
This small village and its surrounding parish on the southern edge of Bodmin Moor, about 3½ miles east-north-east of Bodmin, where steep wooded valleys plunge down from the moorland heights, is unusually rich in relics of the past.
The parish church, dedicated to St Meubred, has two of Cornwall’s finest early Christian crosses in its churchyard – one dated to the 5th–8th centuries and the other, tall and beautifully decorated, to the 10th or 11th century. Both carry Latin inscriptions and were found built into the walls of the 15th-century church. Nearby is the privately owned site of Cardinham Castle, held after the Norman Conquest by Richard Fitz Turold and later by the Dinham family.
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CARDINHAM WOODS – WALKING & CYCLE TRAILS
South of the village, Cardinham Woods is a working woodland of conifers and broadleaves on the slopes of a river valley, managed by Forestry England. Five waymarked walking trails range from easy-going to more strenuous, and there is a mountain bike trail open all year. The woods are popular with walkers, cyclists, runners, horse riders and dog walkers.
At the main car park, the family-run Woods Café serves freshly prepared food and drinks every day, and there are toilets (including an accessible toilet), a picnic area, a play area and a dog wash. All-terrain mobility scooters can be hired.
Forestry England – Cardinham Woods
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VISITOR INFORMATION
Parking & EV Charging
Cardinham Woods has a pay car park (charges apply around the clock; card, contactless and RingGo only – no cash), with accessible spaces. Parking in the village is limited.
Electric vehicle charging: no public charge points at Cardinham Woods or in the village – the nearest are in Bodmin:
- Bodmin Retail Park, Launceston Road – ultra-rapid chargers (InstaVolt), PL31 2GA
- Berrycoombe Road car park, Bodmin – rapid charger (Evolt), PL31 2NS
Getting Here
Cardinham is about 3½ miles from Bodmin, off the A30/A38. The nearest railway station is Bodmin Parkway.
Facilities & Supermarkets
Woods Café, toilets, picnic and play areas at Cardinham Woods. Bodmin, about 3½ miles away, has a full range of shops and services, including the supermarkets:
- Asda – Launceston Rd, Bodmin PL31 2AR
- Morrisons – Priory Rd, Bodmin PL31 2ST
- Lidl – Priory Rd, Bodmin PL31 2AA
- Sainsbury's – Dennison Rd, Bodmin PL31 2SS
Cafés & Restaurants
Woods Café at Cardinham Woods serves breakfasts, lunches and cakes. Bodmin has a wide choice of cafés, pubs and restaurants.
Health
The nearest Minor Injury Unit is at Bodmin Community Hospital. Call NHS 111 for urgent advice and 999 in an emergency. The nearest major A&E departments are the Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, and Derriford Hospital, Plymouth.
Disabled Access
Cardinham Woods has accessible parking, an accessible toilet and all-terrain mobility scooter (Tramper) hire – you do not have to be registered disabled to hire one.
Vets
There is no vet in the village; the nearest practices are in Bodmin. Use the RCVS directory to find the nearest practice and out-of-hours care.
National Trust & English Heritage
The National Trust’s Lanhydrock is just south of Bodmin. English Heritage cares for Restormel Castle near Lostwithiel, and The Hurlers and Trethevy Quoit on the far side of the moor.
Attractions
Bodmin Jail, the Bodmin & Wenford Railway and the Camel Trail are all close by, with Jamaica Inn on Bodmin Moor and Lanhydrock just south of Bodmin.
STAY & EXPLORE NEAR CARDINHAM
Accommodation
Nearby Attractions
Trails
Five waymarked walking trails and a mountain bike trail in Cardinham Woods, plus running routes. Dogs are welcome but keep them close – the woods are surrounded by farmland and livestock.
Historic Sites
St Meubred’s Church and its early crosses. The site of Cardinham Castle is on private land.
Back to the South East Cornwall area guide – all Caradon towns & villages
Cornwall Online | South East Cornwall Towns and Villages | Looe | Talland Bay | Polperro | Polruan | Fowey | Lostwithiel | Mevagissey | Whitsand Bay & The Rame Peninsula | Kingsand | Cawsand | Mount Edgcumbe Country Park | Torpoint | St Germans | Saltash | Liskeard | Siblyback Lake - Water Park | Minions - Hurlers - Bodmin Moor | St Neot | St Cleer | Callington | Gunnislake | Calstock | Cardinham Woods - Walking & Cycle Trails | Launceston |