National park · United Kingdom
Bodmin Moor
Visit Bodmin Moor for a day hike: climb Brown Willy (3.6 km (2.2 mi), moderate) before 11:00 for sunshine, or walk the Cardinham Woods loop (2 h, easy) any time; no entry fee, but car parks charge up to £7.Visit Bodmin Moor for a day hike: climb Brown Willy (3.6 km (2.2 mi), moderate) before 11:00 AM for sunshine, or walk the Cardinham Woods loop (2 h, easy) any time; no entry fee, but car parks charge up to £7.Visit Bodmin Moor for a day hike: climb Brown Willy (2.2 mi (3.6 km), moderate) before 11:00 for sunshine, or walk the Cardinham Woods loop (2 h, easy) any time; no entry fee, but car parks charge up to £7.Visit Bodmin Moor for a day hike: climb Brown Willy (2.2 mi (3.6 km), moderate) before 11:00 AM for sunshine, or walk the Cardinham Woods loop (2 h, easy) any time; no entry fee, but car parks charge up to £7.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
208 km² (80 sq mi)80 sq mi (208 km²)
approximate
Established
1986
Best months
Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 13Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
- Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
- United Kingdom ↗Most visitors who do not need a UK visa now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling; this includes EU nationals. Irish citizens are exempt. Check the UK government site for your passport.
- United Kingdom ↗The UK is outside the EU and the Schengen area; a Schengen visa is not valid for the UK.
- United Kingdom ↗Driving is on the left; London has congestion and emissions charges for most vehicles, so do not drive in the city.
- Cornwall ↗Transport for Cornwall tickets work across operators; the Cornwall All Day bus ticket is about £8 adult, £5 under-19, singles about £3 (2026 estimate).
- Cornwall ↗Buy a train ticket before boarding; the Cornwall Ranger day ticket covers trains in Cornwall and Plymouth (about £14 adult, 2026 estimate — check).
- Cornwall ↗GWR's Cornwall Pay as you Go smartcard is valid on trains within Cornwall.
- North Cornwall ↗A car is the practical way to see the coast; narrow lanes mean you may have to reverse to a passing place.
- North Cornwall ↗Check tide times before walking to any cove; several are cut off at high tide.
At a glance
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Area
- 208 km² (80 sq mi)80 sq mi (208 km²)
- Approximately 208 km² of upland granite moorland (check).
- Established
- 1986
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- Not needed
Bodmin Moor is a remote, heather‑covered upland in North Cornwall, offering open moorland, granite tors and historic stone circles, with no entry fee but car‑park charges.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national siteDesignated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Size and age
208 km² (80 sq mi)80 sq mi (208 km²) · national park since 1986
Approximately 208 km² of upland granite moorland (check).
Why go
- Open, remote moorland with granite tors and historic stone circles.
- Brown Willy is Cornwall’s highest point, offering wide views.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanCool, quiet; short days.
- FebCool, low crowds.
- MarMilder, early wildflowers.
- AprLonger days, blooming heather.
- MayBest walking weather, low rain.
- JunWarm, long daylight.
- JulHigher rain, occasional fog.
- AugRainy, occasional fog.
- SepClear, fewer crowds.
- OctCool, dry, good visibility.
- NovCool, quieter, occasional snow.
- DecCold, low visitor numbers.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heather‑dominated flora, ground‑nesting birdsMay–Sep | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Red deer, foxesApr–Sep | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Brown Willy Car Park | Access point for the highest‑point hike; parking and toilet facilities. | Open; car‑park fee applies. |
| Cardinham Woods | Woodland loop with marked trails, tea room and toilets. | Open; free parking (pay £2‑£7 depending on duration). |
| Rough Tor | Short ascent to a historic WW2 memorial. | Open; free parking nearby. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from official visitor information and OS maps; approximate for orientation.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | person | No charge; car parks may charge up to £7. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Car park fee no permit
Park rules
- Dogs
- Allowed on leads in most areas; not permitted on the Brown Willy summit path during breeding season (check).
- Camping
- Not permitted in the moor; use designated campsites nearby.
- Firearms
- Prohibited.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish.
- Off‑road vehicles
- Restricted to marked roads only.
Where to stay
Near the park
Bodmin town
Hotels, B&Bs and hostels 15 km (9.3 mi) south of the moor.Hotels, B&Bs and hostels 9.3 mi (15 km) south of the moor.
Near the park
Camelford
Small hotels and guesthouses close to the Brown Willy car park.
Safety
Fog and sudden rain medium
Heathland fire risk in dry summer low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Car parks have short, level paths to parking areas.
- Trails vary; Brown Willy is steep and not wheelchair‑friendly.
Visiting lightly
- Use the free car‑park fee to support local maintenance.
- Leave no trace; stay on marked paths to protect fragile heather.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Bodmin Moor?
There is no entry fee for the moor itself; car parks charge £2‑£7 depending on duration.
What are the best hikes in Bodmin Moor?
Brown Willy (3.6 km, moderate), Cardinham Woods loop (2 h, easy) and Rough Tor (1.2 km, easy) are the most popular.
When is the best time to visit Bodmin Moor?
Late spring to early autumn (May–October) offers the best weather and daylight for walking.
Can I camp on Bodmin Moor?
Camping is not allowed in the AONB; stay in nearby towns or designated campsites.
Are dogs allowed on the trails?
Dogs are allowed on leads on most paths, but may be restricted on the Brown Willy summit during breeding season.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go