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The town of Bodmin lies midway between the North and South Cornish coasts to the south west of Bodmin Moor, close to the Fowey and Camel rivers on the edge of Bodmin Moor the smallest and most accessible of the West Country's great moors. The towns history dates back to the early middle ages and has many landmarks that can be seen that show this rich history.
Bodmin became an important ecclesiastical centre in the 6th century with the establishment of a priory by Saint Petroc and became Cornwalls county town in 1835 but its refusal to accept the Great Western Railway in the 1870's meant much of the administration and local businesses moved away. The Bodmin Parkway railway station is served by the Cornish main line and is on the outskirts of the town. The Bodmin and Wenford heritage railway runs from Bodmin Parkway station that then accesses the Camel Trail.
Bodmin has plenty of historic buildings and museums to explore like the Bodmin Goal that was the first British prison to hold prisoners in separate cells, the shire hall and the chapel of St. Thomas Becket. On Bodmin Beacon a high area of moorland south of the town centre is the Gilbert Memorial a 144 foot obelisk honouring Sir Walter Raleigh Gilbert a distinguished general of the Bengal army.
There are several museums and heritage attractions in Bodmin including the Town Museum which tells the history of Bodmin through its collections and artifacts and Bodmin Jail which once drew crowds on special trains to witness the executions is open to explore parts of the original 18th century structure.
Most of the restaurants and pubs offering the best food and drink tend to be situated around the town centre and the occasional live music events can be found here.
A one-and-a-half mile cycle track and footpath runs from Bodmin to the main route of the Camel Trail along the River Camel. You can also stop off at Boscarne Junction adjacent to the Camel Trail as a passenger on a steam train of the Bodmin & Wenford Railway during the summer months.
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