Stannon Lake

The walk around Stannon Lake near Bodmin is one of those Cornish surprises that catches you off guard. You're expecting moorland and granite, and you get both - but there's also this proper body of water, surrounded by heather and gorse, that feels oddly peaceful given how exposed everything is up here. The lake itself sits on the moor at decent altitude, so the views open out in all directions. On a clear day you can see for miles across Bodmin Moor. The circuit walk is straightforward - maybe 45 minutes to an hour depending on pace - and it's the sort of thing families with kids aged eight upwards will actually enjoy rather than merely endure. Younger ones might find the terrain a touch boggy in places, and there's not much shade if the sun's beating down. The real draw is the space and the quiet. You won't fight crowds here. Access appears to be free, though there's minimal infrastructure - bring water and proper footwear. Best tackled in dry weather when the paths aren't sodden. If you're staying at any of the nearby glamping spots - Ekopod, Trewithen Farm, or Camp De Lank - this is a natural morning outing before heading into Bodmin itself for lunch. It's not a destination on its own, but as part of a moorland day it works well. Go when the weather's settled rather than banking on luck.