Bodmin Keep - Cornwall's Army Museum

The Victorian fortress sitting on Bodmin Moor isn't some crumbling ruin - it's a proper working museum dedicated to Cornwall's military history. Built in the 1880s as a defensive stronghold, the Keep now houses exhibits on local regiments, uniforms, weapons and the stories of soldiers who actually served. You can walk the ramparts, get decent views across the moor, and the interior takes you through different periods of conflict with a fair bit of detail.

It's the sort of place that appeals most to military history enthusiasts and those with a genuine interest in Cornwall's past. Families with younger kids might find an hour's browse enough before the stone corridors start feeling repetitive, though older children studying wartime history would get more from it. The setting itself - perched on that bleak moorland above Bodmin town - makes the visit worthwhile even if the exhibits aren't your main draw.

If you're camping at Mena Farm or The Camping Field, both just a few miles away, it's a realistic half-day outing. The town of Bodmin itself has other attractions nearby if you want to string together a longer day out. Check before you visit though - opening hours and admission fees aren't always straightforward with smaller museums like this. Worth ringing ahead to avoid a wasted trip up that steep approach road.