Strange, tragic, and gory, there’s a darker side to Bodmin’s story. Where the walls hold memories and mist creeps over the moor, there’s a thrill to be found by digging deeper.
From ghostly footfalls to legendary beasts, Bodmin has some wild tales to tell. These dark histories cast an intriguing shadow on local landmarks. Beneath the stones and behind the doors of our imposing buildings, you’ll find secrets lurking. The eerie and uncanny are just another dimension of Bodmin’s character.
This place has stood through centuries of change and conflict, from the Dissolution of the Monasteries and the Civil War, to famous trials and public executions. So, it’s no surprise that Bodmin is reportedly home to some of Cornwall’s most haunted locations.
In one day (and maybe even a night), you can take in a cluster of notorious spots. Whether you believe in ghosts or prefer to stay sceptical, these places conjure atmospheric and evocative stories of Bodmin’s past. A walk to the Shire Hall on Mount Folly Square will take you to the site of the town’s most infamous courtroom dramas. Here, in 1844, local farm worker Matthew Weekes was accused of killing 18-year-old Charlotte Dymond on Bodmin Moor. The crime, and the trial held in this building, prompted a surge of public interest, which reached its peak when Weekes was found guilty and sentenced to death. You can follow his fatal route by walking from the former court to nearby Bodmin Jail, where Weekes was taken to be imprisoned and hanged. A memorial to Charlotte Dymond now stands on the edge of Roughtor, on Bodmin Moor.
Today, the ghost of Matthew Weekes is rumoured to reside in Bodmin Jail, protesting his innocence. But he’s certainly not the only one. The site’s troubled past saw many people arrive, destined never to leave. They include Sarah Polgrean, who murdered her husband with arsenic, and the highway robbers-turned-killers James and William Lightfoot. In fact, the jail is considered so haunted that you can join dedicated ghost experiences – including lantern-lit storytelling tours and overnight paranormal investigations.
Further afield, at Lanhydrock, resident ghosts are said to include a lady dressed in grey, who has been seen in the long gallery – one of the only parts of the original 17th century house to survive a disastrous fire. And, if you smell cigars in the smoking room, there’s a chance this has a spectral source. Others have reported the same scent over the years, too.
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For centuries, the vast and lonely expanse of Bodmin Moor has captivated storytellers. It was here, during her twenties, that the author Daphne du Maurier became hopelessly lost while exploring with a friend. She’d later write that ‘In a moment all was desolation.’ They sheltered from the rain in an abandoned cottage, crossed a ghostly railway line (which she’d never be able to find again), and let their horses eventually lead them towards the ‘gaunt chimneys’ of Jamaica Inn. The eerie memory sparked the creation of her future novel, also named Jamaica Inn, years later.
But Du Maurier wasn’t the only figure to wander through this place. People have lived and worked on the moor since prehistoric times, leaving their traces in stone circles and long-sealed tombs. Trethevy Quoit, for instance, was constructed to house remains during the Neolithic period. The naming of King Arthur’s Hall, an ancient ceremonial site, hints at the figure of this legendary king stalking the moors. According to stories, nearby Dozmary Pool is where his sword, Excalibur, was returned to the Lady of the Lake.
Dozmary Pool is also associated with another Cornish ghost story – the tale of Jan Tregeagle. Versions vary, but it’s popularly told that in the 17th century, Tregeagle pursued a dark path, bargaining away his soul in a pact with the Devil. After his death, he was condemned to empty the waters of Dozmary Pool with a limpet shell – a task that causes such misery, he haunts the moor for eternity. Other shadowy figures include a White Lady, said to wander through the moorland village of Altarnun, and the ghostly spirit of a druid who offers drinks from a golden cup near Rillaton Barrow.
However, it’s not just ghosts that are linked to the landscape here. During the 1990s, the British Government officially investigated sightings of “the Beast of Bodmin Moor”. This large, black, panther-like animal may be the stuff of legend, but some believe it really is a species of wild cat, or an escaped or released creature that lived on the moor. Others point to a paranormal explanation, like a phantom cat. The nineties investigation didn’t find any concrete proof of the so-called beast’s existence – but neither could it rule it out.
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One of Cornwall’s best-loved visitor attractions invited locals, families and railway enthusiasts to join a special anniversary event celebrating four decades of preserved steam on the historic Bodmin branch line.
Bodmin Railway celebrated a milestone 40th anniversary with a special celebration event on Sunday 31 May 2026, marking four decades since the first authorised train movements of the preservation era took place at Bodmin General Station in 1986.
The anniversary celebration brought together live music, heritage vehicles and the timeless spectacle of working steam, offering visitors of all ages the chance to mark a moment in Cornish railway history.
A Line Rooted in Cornwall’s History
The story of the Bodmin branch line stretches back almost two centuries. The Bodmin & Wadebridge Railway first opened in 1834 and was one of the very first in the world to use steam, initially transporting minerals and agricultural sea sand. The line that visitors travel today — between Bodmin Parkway and Boscarne Junction via Bodmin General — has its roots in the 1887 opening of the Bodmin Road (now Bodmin Parkway) to Bodmin section, followed by the extension to Boscarne Junction in 1888.
For much of the twentieth century, the line played a vital role in Cornwall’s China Clay industry. Steam hauled passenger trains between Padstow and Bodmin ended in 1963, while freight traffic continued running between Bodmin Road and Wadebridge until 1978, and the china clay trains kept the line to Wenfordbridge alive until complete closure in 1983. It was the determination of local volunteers that would change everything.
The Bodmin Railway Preservation Society was formed in 1984, and the first Open Day — featuring shunting demonstrations by a small steam locomotive at Bodmin General Station — took place on Sunday 1 June 1986. Those first movements marked the beginning of a remarkable chapter. Regular services between Bodmin Parkway and Bodmin General were restored in 1990, with the line extended back to Boscarne Junction in 1996. Today, Bodmin Railway operates over 6½ miles of heritage track, firmly establishing itself as one of the country’s finest steam railways.
The 40th anniversary celebration on Sunday 31 May was a day of entertainment, nostalgia and community spirit. Highlights included:
Onboard and platform performances by the award winning Loveny Male Voice Choir
Meet & greets with Richard Trevithick actors celebrating the Cornish pioneer of steam
A display of vintage cars alongside the heritage locomotives and carriages
Indian Queens Brass Band
A special Rover Ticket allowing unlimited hop-on, hop-off travel throughout the day
Visitors were able to explore the charming Victorian station at Bodmin General, visit the Wagon Bar and station café serving local coffee, Cornish pasties, cream teas and more, and take the opportunity to chat with the knowledgeable team of volunteers who keep this remarkable railway running.
And BBC Spotlight came along to cover the event! With thanks to Bodmin Railway for the photos used in this article.
“We are incredibly proud to play our part in preserving the legacy of this incredible line that played such an important role in Cornwall’s history, keeping it alive for future generations. This promises to be a fantastic day for enthusiasts, locals and visitors alike.”
Chris Hatton, Operations Manager, Bodmin Railway