Bodmin
Bodmin blends moorland wilderness, gripping history and grand country estates at the heart of Cornwall — and a relaxing coach tour is the easiest, most comfortable way to enjoy it all.
Nestled right in the heart of the county, Bodmin sits perfectly between Cornwall's rugged north coast and its sunny southern shores. As the former county town, it's a place that wears its history on its sleeve, from the charming cobbled streets and grand parish church to the wild expanse of Bodmin Moor.
If you're looking for a thrill, Bodmin Jail is a must-visit; this 18th-century prison has been transformed into an immersive experience where the town's dark secrets really come to life. For those who prefer the great outdoors, the moor offers Cornwall's highest peaks, ancient stone circles, and the legendary Jamaica Inn. Throw in the Victorian elegance of Lanhydrock House and the nostalgic charm of the Bodmin & Wenford Railway, and you have a destination brimming with personality.
Getting here is a breeze. Choosing a coach tour takes all the stress out of the trip, leaving you free to relax and watch the landscape drift by while someone else handles the driving and the logistics. Once you've arrived, the possibilities are endless: you can wander through the stunning National Trust gardens at Lanhydrock, ride the heritage railway through lush valleys, cycle along the scenic Camel Trail, or simply breathe in the wild beauty of the moor. Many of our coach holidays also pair Bodmin with other Cornish gems, so you can see the best of the region without any effort.
Ready for an adventure? Compare coach tours to Bodmin from our trusted operators and find the perfect trip for you.
Coach tours visiting Bodmin
Newquay and Cornish Treasures
by Shearings
From tales of pirates and smugglers to beautiful coastal towns, enjoy a combination of rich history and stunning scenery on this Cornish escape.
Where you’ll stay
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Kilbirnie Hotel ★★★
Escape to the Cornish coast with a stay at the Kilbirnie Hotel in Newquay, a warm and welcoming home-from-home just moments from the sea. Perfectly placed on Narrowcliff, this friendly hotel puts seven stunning beaches right on your doorstep, so you can swim, surf or simply soak up the sunshine. All 66 bedrooms have been beautifully refurbished with modern décor, upgraded bathrooms and thoughtful touches, and you can choose anything from a cosy Standard Room to a spacious Family Room or a breathtaking Sea View Room overlooking the ocean. Dive into the indoor and outdoor pools, unwind on the terrace, or enjoy a relaxing drink in the spacious bar.
When hunger calls, the Sunset View Restaurant serves wonderful homemade food made from locally sourced ingredients. Whether you're travelling solo, with friends or as part of a group, the Kilbirnie Hotel makes the ideal base for exploring everything Newquay has to offer. Book your coach tour today and discover why guests return year after year to this much-loved Cornish gem.
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🧳 Arrival
Local departure by coach or Home Connect service, then on to Newquay and our hotel for four nights.
Meals: Dinner
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📸 Excursion
St Ives and Penzance
Today, we enjoy included excursions to two of Cornwall's most popular towns. St Ives is considered the dazzling jewel in Cornwall’s crown with its picturesque fishing harbour, maze of narrow cobbled streets, independent shops and fisherman’s cottages. We then journey to Penzance, known for its majestic cliffs, rocky coves and sandy beaches.
Why not try the local food, such as a traditional Cornish Pasty, or browse the shops along Chapel Street?
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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📸 Excursion
Day at leisure or Looe and Polperro
Enjoy a day at leisure in vibrant Newquay.
Alternatively, join our optional excursion to visit two more of Cornwall's treasures – Looe and Polperro. Looe is a picturesque fishing harbour situated on the South East coast, and with one of the largest fishing fleets in Cornwall, it is an ideal place to enjoy fresh seafood.
From here, we’ll head to Polperro, a picture-postcard Cornish fishing town with whitewashed cottages and a pretty harbour dotted with cafés and gift shops.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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📸 Excursion
Bodmin Moor and Jail, Jamaica Inn and Port Isaac
Today, we explore Cornwall's myths and legends with an interesting visit to Bodmin Moor, where the beast is supposed to roam!
A stop at the imposing Bodmin Jail is next, where we’ll learn about life in the Georgian and Victorian penal system.
From here, we’ll continue to the Jamaica Inn, which is Cornwall's most famous smugglers haunt and the inspiration for Daphne du Maurier's best-selling novel.
Our final visit of the day is to pretty Port Isaac. Once a hang-out for the notorious Cornish pirate, it is now a fishing village with olde-world charm, and some may also recognise it from the well-known TV series Doc Martin, which is filmed here.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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🏡 Departure
Return home.
Meals: Breakfast
Places of Interest
Bodmin Jail
Bodmin Jail is a former prison on the fringes of Bodmin Moor in Cornwall. Now a hotel and visitor attraction, it features the immersive Dark Walk, old cell wings and a grim execution pit. Visitors can explore the haunting granite site during the day or join paranormal events and ghost walks after dark.
Bodmin Jail is one of Cornwall's most haunting landmarks, set in a bleak granite prison first established in 1779 on the fringes of Bodmin Moor. Built for King George III, it was one of the first UK prisons aimed at prisoner reform, housing thousands of inmates and seeing dozens of public executions before finally closing its doors in 1927. Much of the site fell into ruin over the years before eventually being saved and restored.
After a significant investment, the jail reopened in 2021 as a hotel and an immersive visitor attraction. The highlight is the Dark Walk, which uses theatrical sets and projections to transport guests into the brutal world of Georgian and Victorian punishment. Visitors can also wander through the old cell wings and visit the grim execution pit where Cornwall's final hangings occurred. Known for being haunted, the jail also runs popular ghost walks and paranormal events after dark.
Image Attribution
- Bodmin — (Photo by Greg Willson on Unsplash )
- Bodmin Jail — (Photo by focal insight photography on Unsplash )
- St Ives — (Photo by BEN ELLIOTT on Unsplash )
- Looe — (Photo by Nik on Unsplash )