Bodmin is a place that reveals more the deeper you explore. This September, residents and visitors are invited to uncover new stories, landscapes and historic landmarks through two brand-new Heritage Sketching Trails that bring together art, history and discovery. Inspired by Bodmin’s rich heritage and unique character, these creative experiences offer a fresh way to connect with the town’s remarkable places and people.
Developed through a collaboration between the Experience Bodmin project and Bodmin Creative Studio & Gallery, the trails encourage participants to slow down, look closer and experience Bodmin through an artist’s eye.
Step into the historic heart of Bodmin and discover centuries of stories hidden within its streets, architecture and public spaces. Led by artist Karen Howse, this guided trail explores iconic locations including Mount Folly Square, Bodmin Town Museum and St Petroc’s Church. Along the way, participants will sketch historic details, experiment with creative techniques and gain fascinating insights into the area’s heritage.
Suitable for complete beginners as well as experienced artists, the trail offers a welcoming opportunity to connect with Bodmin’s past while enjoying a creative morning outdoors.
For those who enjoy both natural landscapes and historic landmarks, the second trail offers a unique journey from the scenic Camel Trail to the dramatic surroundings of Bodmin Jail. Guided by artist Lisa Cooper, participants will sketch and paint along the route, capturing everything from woodland views and natural textures to the striking architecture of one of Cornwall’s most famous heritage attractions.
The experience combines gentle walking, observational sketching and watercolour techniques in a relaxed and supportive environment, making it ideal for anyone looking to try something new.
The trails were created following successful pilot sessions, where participants praised the opportunity to discover new aspects of Bodmin, learn creative skills and connect with others in inspiring surroundings. From historic streets and ancient landmarks to the natural beauty of the Camel Trail, each route celebrates the places that make Bodmin unique.
Whether you’re passionate about local history, curious about heritage, love spending time outdoors or simply want to try your hand at sketching, these trails offer a memorable way to experience more of Bodmin.
Places are limited, and all materials are provided.
To find out more and book your place, visit Bodmin Creative Studio & Gallery or keep an eye on the More to Bodmin What’s On pages for upcoming opportunities.
Come and discover the stories, landscapes and creativity that make Bodmin special. You might be surprised by what you uncover.
Take a walk through Bodmin and you’ll find its streets telling stories in bold colour and striking detail and moments captured in time. A series of new murals are bringing the town’s heritage, culture and wildlife to life in unexpected places – why not take a wander and see these new additions to Bodmin’s streets?
A town in motion: Honey Street
On Honey Street, artist Jack Tierney has created a powerful mural inspired by historic photographs from the George Ellis collection, held at Kresen Kernow.
Ellis, a Bodmin-based photographer, documented life across Cornwall from the 1930s to the 1970s – and this artwork weaves together those glimpses of everyday life into a contemporary collage.
Look closely and you’ll spot moments that defined the town: Land Girls heading out to work during the Second World War, community celebrations like Beating the Bounds, sporting triumphs, agricultural shows, and performances at St Petroc’s Church.
Each image captures a piece of Bodmin’s past, reimagined to sit in its present.
Here are some of the images that informed the mural:
A cinematic past: Crockwell Street
On Crockwell Street, artist Claire Prouvost nods to Bodmin’s cultural history with a bold, cubist-inspired mural. Painted on the remaining walls of the former Palace Theatre – an art deco cinema – the piece plays with shape, colour and perspective to evoke the magic of the big screen.
The building’s original façade, long since demolished, is reimagined on the reverse side in a playful way, while stylised figures hint at the glamour and escapism of cinema’s golden age. It’s a striking tribute to a much-loved venue and a reminder of the town’s rich creative past.
Nature up close: Dennison Road Car Park
At Dennison Road Car Park, Cornwall-based street artist Koe One brings the natural world into sharp focus. His photorealistic mural features some of Cornwall’s most iconic birdlife, including the much-loved Cornish chough, alongside a buzzard and fox.
Detailed and lifelike, the artwork offers a moment to pause and admire the wildlife that surrounds Bodmin.
Together, these murals create a trail through Bodmin that invites you to explore a little more slowly. Whether you’re discovering the town for the first time or seeing familiar streets in a new light, they offer a fresh way to connect with Bodmin’s stories of the past, present and natural.
Have you spotted the new murals? What did you think?
For one weekend each year, the ancient county town of Bodmin throws open its streets to a festival so old that even its origins are lost to time – and so vivid that it stops traffic, draws crowds, and conjures a medieval atmosphere like almost nothing else in the south-west.
Bodmin Riding & Heritage Festival takes place on the first weekend of July, and in 2026 that means the festivities kick off on Friday 3 July, with the heart of the celebration on Saturday 4 July.
The earliest written record of Bodmin Riding dates to 1469, when it appeared in the accounts for the rebuilding of Bodmin Parish Church. But even then, it was described as an established custom, suggesting its roots stretch back further still, possibly into the early medieval period.
At its heart, the festival commemorates one of the more dramatic episodes in Bodmin’s long history: the theft of the bones of St Petroc in 1177, when the relics of the town’s patron saint were spirited away to Brittany, before being recovered and triumphantly returned. The procession of St Petroc’s casket, which still survives in St Petroc’s Church, remains a central element of the festival to this day.
Nobody knows when or why Bodmin Riding began. It was an ancient event in 1469 — the first time it was recorded on paper.
Over the centuries, the festival grew to include sports and horseracing, Cornish wrestling, a grand ball, civic feasting, and the Riding Ale – a tradition of communal drinking that remains part of the weekend. The custom faded in the early 19th century, with the last traditional Riding thought to have been held around 1825 but was revived in 1974 and has since developed into the lively event it is today.
What happens on the dayThe weekend begins on the Friday evening with a shared feast – local food and drink, live music, and the ritual Riding Ale, gathering the community in anticipation of the celebrations ahead. On Saturday, the town centre closes to traffic and the streets come alive.
The traditional procession is one of the day’s highlights: led by Bodmin Town Band, with local children performing the furry dance to the centuries-old Riding Tune – a melody first recorded in 1770 under the title Captain Brown’s March.
Attendees are encouraged to come in medieval costume, and many do, lending the streets a fun and chaotic atmosphere. Alongside the procession, you’ll find craft stalls, local artisans and businesses, historical re-enactments, live music, and plenty of children’s activities. It’s a full day out for families and history enthusiasts alike.
No account of the Bodmin Riding festival is complete without mention of its most theatrical element – the Hunting and Trial of the Beast of Bodmin. The Beast, depicted as a large, shaggy, panther-like creature, is pursued through the town by hunters known as “helliers”, before being dramatically captured and put on trial outside the historic Shire Hall.
The Beast tradition links to real-life folklore – in the 1980s and 1990s, Bodmin Moor was the site of numerous reported sightings of a large wild cat, and the legend has never quite gone away. The festival’s mock trial gives it a suitably Cornish twist, part street theatre, part ancient ritual, and very memorable.
Beyond the spectacle, Bodmin Riding is something rarer – a genuinely community-owned festival, run by local volunteers and shaped by local people. It commemorates not just the bones of St Petroc, but also the Cornish Prayer Book Rebellion of 1549 – when Cornish men and women took up arms to defend their language and religious traditions – and the hanging of Mayor Nicholas Bowyer, a figure woven into the town’s civic memory.
Like Padstow’s famous May Day celebrations, Bodmin Riding is a reminder that Cornwall has a living tradition of festival culture stretching back centuries – one that belongs to the people who take part in it.
With thanks to the Bodmin Camera Club for the images from the 2019 festival.
Bodmin is set to take centre stage in Cornwall’s cultural calendar in 2026 as the town prepares to host the annual Esedhvos Festival and Gorsedh Kernow ceremony.
Bringing together music, language, heritage, storytelling and celebration, the event will welcome Bards, performers and visitors from across Cornwall and beyond for several days of cultural activity in and around the town, culminating in the iconic bardic ceremony on Saturday 5 September 2026.
It will mark the first time Gorsedh Kernow has visited Bodmin since 1997 — and organisers say the town’s rich cultural history and central location make it the perfect setting for the event.
Grand Bard Gwythvosen Jenefer Lowe said: “We are delighted that the Gorsedh is coming to Bodmin. Our last visit was in 1997, and it is wonderful to be returning in 2026. Bodmin, the historic capital, lies at the heart of Cornwall and Cornish culture, and we look forward to working with the people of Bodmin to ensure a wonderful event next September.”
Founded to celebrate and protect Cornwall’s Celtic identity, Gorsedh Kernow champions Cornish culture in all its forms — from language, literature and history to music, dance, art and community traditions. Each year, the Esedhvos Festival also recognises achievements in Cornish culture through awards for adults and young people.
For Bodmin, hosting the event is another major moment in the town’s growing cultural story.
As Cornwall’s historic county town, Bodmin has long played an important role in the county’s civic and cultural life. Today, its independent businesses, creative organisations, historic landmarks and year-round events continue to make it a hub for Cornish heritage and contemporary culture alike.
Mayor of Bodmin, Councillor Liz Ahearn, said: “Bodmin is honoured to be chosen as host town for the Gorsedh Kernow in 2026. This is a significant cultural event for Cornwall, and we look forward to welcoming the Bards, performers and visitors to our town to celebrate Cornish culture, language and heritage.”
Over the coming months, a local organising committee will begin working with Gorsedh Kernow and community partners to shape a programme that reflects Bodmin’s identity, creativity and community spirit.
Visitors can expect a vibrant celebration of Cornish culture across the town — from performances and exhibitions to community events and the much-loved bardic ceremony itself.
More details about the 2026 programme will be announced in the months ahead.
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
To mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day, Bodmin Keep – Cornwall’s Army Museum in partnership with Experience Bodmin, Bodmin Town Council and Bodmin Jail, is proud to announce the launch of the VE80 Photography Trail, a town-wide exhibition that brings to life Bodmin’s powerful wartime legacy through the lens of celebrated photographer George Ellis.
The VE80 Photography Trail showcases a curated selection of wartime images taken by Ellis, a London-born freelance press photographer who moved to Bodmin in 1939. The trail also includes a wedding photo taken by Alan Date – a chemist who owned a pharmacy on Honey Street in the 1930s and 40s – who like Ellis, captured many photographs of wartime Bodmin.
Known for his evocative and human-centred photography, Ellis documented life on the Home Front, including Land Girls, evacuee children, and the daily interactions between locals and the British, Commonwealth, and American troops stationed in town.
Once a thriving garrison town, Bodmin played a key role in the UK’s Second World War efforts. From 1939, over 2,000 troops were housed and trained at Bodmin Keep, Walker Lines, and Coldharbour Farm. In 1943, Bodmin Keep was handed over to the US 29th Infantry Division as American GIs prepared for the D-Day landings.
Each photograph in the trail is displayed where it was originally taken, offering a unique “then and now” experience and inviting reflection on how the community — and its resilience — have evolved over time.
The trail will run until Remembrance Sunday, reinforcing the town’s long-standing commitment to honouring service and sacrifice.
Councillor Leigh Frost, Cornwall Councillor Leader and local member for Bodmin St Petroc, said: “The trail is a great addition to Bodmin and offers a new to way explore the town through a different lens. Residents and visitors alike will be able to discover and learn more about the town’s history.”
Helen Bishop-Stephens, Director of Bodmin Keep-Cornwall’s Army Museum, said: “This project reminds us of the vibrancy and diversity of wartime Bodmin. It highlights the contributions of so many — including pioneering Black American GIs and local women in uniform — and we hope it inspires pride and renewed interest in our town’s extraordinary past. This is particularly poignant as right now Cornwall’s Army Museum, housed at Bodmin Keep, is closed and fighting to secure its future. Without the museum, this and countless other stories about Cornwall’s Army history will be lost.”
The entire George Ellis collection, comprising over 90,000 images, is held at Kresen Kernow.
The trail has been possible thanks to the Experience project, run by Cornwall Council, which received funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund through the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Good Growth Programme.
The Experience project aims to enhance visitors’ experience and support local businesses. The project in Bodmin focuses on boosting tourism and economic growth, by promoting unique and sustainable cultural and low-carbon experiences.
Key partners in the town – including the Town Council and major venues and attractions in Bodmin – are collaborating with Experience to develop a marketing campaign for the town, helping to raise awareness of Bodmin as an important destination in its own right.
For full information on the V80 Photography Trail, go to: VE80 Photography Trail – Bodmin Keep: Cornwall’s Army Museum.
