Camelford

Camelford is a small market town on the edge of Bodmin Moor, and it makes no secret of its Arthurian connections. The River Camel runs through town, and some identify the nearby Slaughter Bridge as the site of King Arthur’s final battle. Whether or not you buy the legend, the landscape around here feels suitably ancient — granite tors, open moorland and big skies stretching out in every direction.

The town itself is compact and unpretentious, with a handful of independent shops, pubs and cafes. The North Cornwall Museum gives a good overview of rural life in this part of the world. But the real reason to base yourself here is access to the moor. Rough Tor and Brown Willy, Cornwall’s highest points, are within easy reach. The walking is superb — empty, windswept and nothing like the crowded coastal paths. Davidstow airfield and the cheese factory are nearby, and the dramatic Atlantic coast at Boscastle and Tintagel is only fifteen minutes by car.

Camelford works well as an affordable, quiet base for walkers and anyone who wants to experience inland Cornwall. The moor has a mood of its own — wild ponies, standing stones, and a silence that you won’t find anywhere near the coast in summer.