Bolventor
OS Grid ref:- SX 184768
The hamlet of Bolventor (Cornish: Bedhasbold) is situated at the heart of Bodmin Moor and lies just off the Bodmin to Launceston road.
The village's name is said to derive from the "Bold Venture", a reference to farming on such difficult moorland, but this is probably folk etymology, as "Bol-" is a common prefix in Cornish placenames. there are excellent views of the moor from Bolventor, including the main tors, Brown Willy and Rough Tor.
The authoress Daphne du Maurier, was a former resident of the hamlet and immortalised Bolventor when she chose it as the setting for her famous novel 'Jamaica Inn', featuring Cornish smugglers. Now Cornwall's most famous inn, it was once a former coaching house, an inn has occupied the main road through the village since 1547, the present building dates to 1750.
Modern visitors to the inn can relive the smugglers’ experience, which boasts one of the finest and most extensive collections of smuggling artefacts in Britain, there is also a display of various items owned by Daphne du Maurier, including her writing desk and typewriter. The inn offers accommodation and serves excellent food. Rumoured to be haunted, the Jamaica Inn featured in an episode of the programme, Most Haunted, on 'Living' TV. Notable apparitions include a malevolent figure of a highwayman in a tri-cornered hat, a distressed young mother and her baby and the spirit of a young smuggler who is believed to have been murdered at the bar and who has been reported to be seen sitting on the wall in the courtyard.
The granite parish church is dedicated to The Holy Trinity, the building was consecrated on 3rd July 1848 and constructed in the Gothic style. The building had ceased to be used by the 1990's.
Jamaica Inn image copyright Stuart Mac Innes
A walk from Bolventor to King Arthur's Hall
Distance 12 miles
*Commencing from Bolventor church proceed in a northeasterly direction along the road which runs parallel and alongside the A30 for around a hundred yards until reaching a footpath sign.
*Follow the footpath downhill to reach a pair of ponds, cross the footbridge and follow the footpath through a garden (which has public right of way). Continue along the path to cross a stile and enter a field. Cross the field to rejoin the footpath.
*Cross over a stile and onto a narrow lane leading to Priddacombe Down. At the end of the track cross a field exiting onto Priddacombe Down. Continue in a westerly direction towards the forestry plantation visible in the distance. On reaching the edge of the wood, proceed along the side of the wood for around a hundred yards before turning right and heading down towards a derelict farm to the east of Butter's Tor.
*Skirt around the base of Butter's Tor finding a permissive path and follow in the direction of Garrow Farm and Garrow Tor , crossing the De Lank River and follow the track up a steep incline to arrive at a disused farm. Proceed along the footpath leading from the farm entrance heading generally west, circling around Garrow Tor.
*Enter a small copse, cross a stile passing through the narrow copse and exit by means of a narrow bridge crossing a brook emerging onto open moorland. Ascend a hill, cross a stile then head west, passing various stone circles, a few hundred yards further will bring you to King Arthur's Hall.
*Retrace your steps to return to Bolventor
*Avoid walking on the moor if weather looks threatening.
*A compass is required for walking on the moor in case the mist descends.
*Carry light waterproof clothing.
*Wear headwear if walking in winter.
*Keep dogs under control, ponies, sheep and cattle graze on the moor.