Cardinham Woods
Bodmin, Cornwall
About Cardinham Woods
NEW FOR 2024 - Gruffalo Party Trail!
Immerse yourself in the magic of Cardinham Woods, one of Cornwall’s hidden gems only 5 minutes from Bodmin. Cardinham Woods is bursting with opportunities for the whole family to explore beautiful views, Cornish history, and amazing wildlife. Choose a gentle streamside stroll or a challenging hillside hike. Experienced mountain bikers will love the Bodmin Beast cycle trail’s snaking single track and technical features. No trip to Cardinham Woods is complete without a visit to Woods Cafe to sample the delicious, seasonal menu of homemade treats. Or bring your own picnic and relax by the stream in the picnic meadow. Whether you’re looking to entertain the family, rediscover your connection with nature, or just make unforgettable memories, there is no place quite like Cardinham Woods.
Walking
Waymarked walking routes make the most of Cardinham’s beautiful surroundings with well-maintained trails for all abilities. Choose an easygoing stroll along the valley bottom, suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs, or strike out up the slopes for a challenging hike. Several of the walking trails can be accessed by Tramper – an off-road mobility scooter available to hire.
Play
The whole woodland is a playground. But if that isn’t enough, enjoy our dedicated play area and family activity trail. Check the website for this year’s trail.
Cafe
Recharge at Woods Café with a scrumptious seasonal menu, including vegan and gluten free options.
Outdoor learning and birthday parties
The experienced team at Badger Forest School offers hands-on learning in the great outdoors through regular school sessions, holiday clubs, family sessions and birthday parties.
Dogs at Cardinham Woods
Dogs love the forest and all its sights, sounds, and smells. There is drinking water and a self-service dog wash in the car park, and the stream is the perfect paddling spot on a warm day. Cardinham Woods is surrounded by grazed farmland with vulnerable livestock, so we ask you to keep all four-legged family members in sight at all times and use a lead if their recall isn’t reliable.
Accessible Cardinham Woods
We are continually working to improve access to Cardinham Woods. For help planning your visit, please contact our team on 01208 76787 or cardinam.rangers@forestryengland.uk. Our Tramper is available to hire through the Countryside Mobility scheme. We advise pre-booking to ensure that the Tramper is charged and a ranger is available to deliver a brief safety induction.
Brand New Gruffalo Party Trail!
Join in with an enchanting interactive family trail to mark The Gruffalo's 25th anniversary! Dive into a world of activities and games, all themed around a delightful party in the forest. Along the way, uncover fascinating insights into the lives of the Gruffalo and the forest's other inhabitants. This is a perfect day out for families looking to mix adventure with a touch of education!
Mountain Biking Hotspot
Get your adrenalin fix on the blue grade Bodmin Beast mountain bike trail that winds around the wooded slopes of the Cardinham Valley. Two optional red sections can be added to test your technical skills.
Facilities
Toilets
Changing Rooms
Onsite Parking
Accessible Toilets
Baby Changing
Food Available
Wheelchair Friendly
Dog Friendly
Pushchair Friendly
Card Payments Accepted
Wheelchair Hire
Opening Times
- Monday, 06:00 - 21:00
- Tuesday, 06:00 - 21:00
- Wednesday, 06:00 - 21:00
- Thursday, 06:00 - 21:00
- Friday, 06:00 - 21:00
- Saturday, 06:00 - 21:00
- Sunday, 06:00 - 21:00
The car park and trails are open dawn to dusk every day.
The Ranger's Hut is open 9.30am-3.30pm weekends and bank holidays, and 9.30am-11.30am on weekdays.
Woods Cafe is open every day (please check the cafe website for opening hours).
Pricing & Tickets
- Adult (17-18+) : Free
General AdmissionFree admissionParking ChargesUp to 2 hours £4.00Up to 4 hours £5.00All day £7.00Minibuses/coaches parking costs £10 for the whole day.
Book in advance for cheapest tickets
Find other attractions similar to Cardinham Woods by visiting our attraction tickets section.
Plan Your Visit
Typical visit time 3 - 4 hours
Suitable for Kids and Adults too
FAQs
Parking
Toilets
Family Friendly Options
Food & Drink
Accessibility Information
Tickets & Bookings
Private Hire & Birthday Parties
Contact Details
Transport Information
Travelling by car from Bodmin, take the A38 towards Liskeard. 400 metres beyond the Carminnow Cross roundabout follow the brown tourist signs left and then left again into Cardinham Woods.
Our access road is singletrack with passing places. Please be prepared to give way to other drivers and give walkers and horse riders plenty of space.
From Bodmin take the A38 towards Liskeard. 400 metres beyond the Carminnow Cross roundabout follow the brown tourist signs left and then left again into Cardinham Woods. Our access road is singletrack with passing places. Please be prepared to give way to other drivers and give walkers and horse riders plenty of space."
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