Penhargard Castle Hillfort

The Iron Age ramparts of Penhargard Castle still command the landscape above Bodmin, their earthen walls cutting dramatic curves across the hilltop. What you're standing on is roughly 2,500 years of Cornish history - the defensive stronghold of someone important enough to warrant multiple rings of fortification, though exactly who remains pleasantly mysterious.

It's a walker's attraction more than a sit-down one. You'll find yourself tracing the perimeter of those ancient ditches, trying to imagine the wooden palisades that once crowned them, and getting properly rewarded views across the moorland. The climb is moderate but it does require actual effort - this isn't a casual stroll. Allow an hour if you're thorough, less if you're just after the views and a quick photo.

History types and serious walkers will get the most from it. Kids might find it interesting for twenty minutes before asking when you're heading back to the car. The lack of signage or interpretation means you're really just looking at lumps in the ground unless you've read up beforehand or brought a guidebook.

Free to visit, as far as anyone can tell - it's just there on the moorland. Perfect if you're based at Camp De Lank or Mena Farm and fancy a half-day detour from the caravan park. Pair it with a walk across Bodmin Moor itself rather than treating it as a standalone stop. The views matter more than any single structure here.