Visitor information

Embrace the best of autumn in Bodmin's stunning forest

Cardinham Woods is a Cornish hidden gem, nestling in a beautiful valley with a bubbling stream. The mixed woodland rolls across the valley sides of Cardinham water with waymarked trails guiding you among the trees. Discover stunning viewpoints, local wildlife, and a slice of Cornish history with the remnants of a former lead mine and an ancient clapper bridge.

Walk, run, cycle, or simply pause to reconnect with nature this autumn. And there's no better place near Bodmin for leaf peeping!

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At a glance

Please keep dogs close by and in sight at all times to make sure they don't stray out of the forest onto farmland.
16/05/2024 09:51
Tramper user and walker on a forest road

Explore Cardinham Woods with an off-road mobility vehicle

Visitors with limited mobility (short or long-term, for any reason) can hire our Tramper through the Countryside Mobility Scheme. You do not have to be registered disabled to hire a Tramper. The Tramper is an off-road mobility scooter, which is easy to use and able to tackle a range of surfaces and gradients come rain or shine.

Food and drink

Mountain bike riders site at a picnic bench in front of a stone cottage

Woods Cafe

Refuel at beautiful Woods Cafe, serving a range of freshly prepared light bites and drinks every day.

Dive in to discover the amazing life of the forest with our specially chosen games and activities!

Find out more about wonderful wildlife, towering trees, and all the ways you can...

2024 is The Gruffalo’s 25th birthday year and to celebrate, everyone is invited to take part in a brand-new forest adventure, available  until 5 January 2025.

What to expect

The...

Explore the running trails at Cardinham Woods

With miles of off-road routes for you to enjoy, escape the stuffy gym, embrace the fresh air and get fit where you can be inspired by...

Cardinham Woods offers five waymarked walking trails with something for every ability and interest. Choose an easygoing stroll along the valley bottom, suitable for pushchairs and...

A female cyclist sitting on her bike and smiling over her shoulder with a map board in the background

Trail maps at Cardinham Woods

Plan your visit to Cardinham Woods with our free map downloads.

Nearby forests

Rough tor

Roughtor (sometimes known as Rough Tor) boasts a wealth of natural beauty. Its peaks provide a manageable and enjoyable 3-4 mile walk complete with stunning views.

The keen eye...

Davidstow Woods

Located by Davidstow airfield, north of Bodmin Moor, Davidstow Woods is a coniferous forest perfectly placed for a walk to the special habitats at Crowdy reservoir or Showery Tor.

Generic woodland

Located approximately two miles north of Truro, Idless Woods is a stunning woodland with a diverse range of wildlife. 

Shaded walking trail in Stoke Woods, Exeter

Once part of the area’s industrial past, this diverse woodland now supports a wide variety of plant and animal life including some of the UK’s rarest butterfly species. Come and...

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