Bodmin Moor

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The Cheesewring, a granite tor on the southern edge of Bodmin Moor (Photo by Mick Knapton)

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Bodmin Moor (Cornish: Goen Bren) is a granite moorland in northeastern Cornwall, UK, 208 km² (80 sq mile) in size, dating from the Carboniferous period of geological history.

The name "Bodmin Moor" is relatively recent, being an Ordnance Survey invention of 1813. It was formerly known as "Fowey Moor", after the river which rises here. The Cornish name, Goen Bren is probably even older.

Dramatic granite tors rise from the rolling moorland. During the Bronze Age, Bodmin Moor was densely populated and now many prehistoric stone barrows and circles lie scattered across the moor. Today it is thinly populated aside from the small village of Bolventor. On the southern slopes of the moor lies Dozmary Pool, where, according to Arthurian legend, Sir Bedivere threw Excalibur to The Lady of the Lake.

Bodmin Moor has been officially designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), as part of Cornwall AONB.

The highest point is Brown Willy at 420 m (1378 ft), also the highest point in Cornwall.

Wetland sites on the moor include Colliford Lake, a large reservoir, and Dozmary Pool.

1 History
2 Walks
3 Legends
4 See also
5 References
6 External links

[edit] History

Farming started on Bodmin Moor about 4000 years ago by Bronze age settlers of Bodmin. Bodmin Moor is one of the best preserved areas in Cornwall. Over the years poets, writers and sculptors have been inspired and have write lots of stories about the moor.

[edit] Walks

There are lots of interesting walks and trails on the moor, including a walk to the top of Brown Willy, the biggest hill on Bodmin Moor and in Cornwall at more than 1,300 feet. People like to climb to the top of the second highest hill on the moor, Rough Tor, for it has a magnificent view.

[edit] Legends

There are some famous legends about Bodmin Moor which have inspired people for years. Here are some legends of the Moor:
Beast of Bodmin Moor
King Arthur
The Lady of the Lake