Camelford
OS Grid ref:- SX101831
The small market town of Camelford, known in ancient Cornish as Ryskammel, lies north west of Launceston on the edge of Bodmin Moor and around six miles from the spectacular Cornish coast. The town makes an excellent base for touring the surrounding area. Camelford has been claimed to be the site of King Arthur's legendary fortress of Camelot. Nearby Slaughterbridge is said by some sources to be the location of Arthur's last battle against Modred in 542AD. The Arthurian Centre has a 'Land of Arthur'exhibition and features brass rubbing, the 'Grail Trail' , video and shop.
Slaughterbridge- the Battle of Camlann
The medieval writer, Geoffrey of Monmouth, in his famous 'History of the Kings of Britain' informs us that the legendary King Arthur's last battle, known as the Battle of Cammlann, which legend states was fought against against his nephew and mortal foe, Mordred, took place at a site beside a river in Cornwall.
No river with such a name exists in modern day Cornwall, but the reference is understood by many to refer to the River Camel. Local legends abound that the Dark Age battle was fought in a water meadow beside the Slaughterbridge.
On the stream bed lies a sixth century inscribed stone, said to mark the spot were Arthur fell after meeting Morded in battle.
Discrepancy exists as to the actual date of the battle. The Annals of Wales claim it was fought in 539 A.D. , whilst the Annals of Ulster record it by another name, the Battle of Manann, and date its occurence as 582 A.D. Adomnal, a monk who wrote in the seventh century, describes Arthur's death in the battle. Later accounts of the battle occur in Geoffrey of Monmouth's 'History of the Kings of Britain' and the thirteenth century Welsh tale 'The Dream of Rhonabwy'.
The name Camelford derives from the old Cornish for a curved river 'Cam pol'. The town offers a wide range of shops, accommodation, amenities and an excellent riverside walk. It boasts 3 golf courses, a sports centre, tennis courts and indoor heated swimming pool. Bridge House dates from the seventeenth century, a bridge has occupied the location since before 1521. Just south of the town is a footpath that leads onto Bodmin Moor.
Camelford Town Hall was built in 1806 by the Duke of Bedford and sports a weather vane in the shape of a golden camel. The building was originally the market hall.
Enfield Park has recently undergone extensive restoration and offers excellent walks along the River Camel down to Slaughterbridge.
Nearby Rough Tor, now owned by the National Trust, has over a hundred Bronze Age round houses with many burial cairns.
Places to visit in Camelford
* North Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery,The Clease, privately owned. Represents country trades and recreation of life in country villages more than a century ago. Displays on different facets of industrial and agricultural history. The gallery has exhibitions of arts and crafts. Open:- 1April - Sept, Mon - Sat, April - Sept, 10am - 5pm.
* Camelford Museum of Historic Cycling, Britain's foremost collection of cycling memorabilia housed in an old Victorian railway station. Over 300 bicycles on display, exhibits include bicycles from 1818 to the present day along with posters, medals and fobs. Open:- All year, Sun - Thurs, 10am - 5pm.
*The Arthurian Centre 'Land of Arthur' exhibition and a great trail. Open:- 10am - dusk