Vale of Avalon / Arthurian Centre

The mist rolling across Bodmin Moor takes on a different character once you know the stories attached to this corner of Cornwall. The Vale of Avalon and its associated Arthurian Centre sit right here on the edge of legend - this is where locals reckon King Arthur himself might have retreated after his final battle, where Avalon wasn't some distant island but rather this very stretch of moorland.

What you're actually looking at is a landscape steeped in medieval folklore, with the centre itself serving as your jumping-off point for understanding why Arthurian legend took root so firmly in this part of Cornwall. The moor itself is free to explore - proper atmospheric walking country with sight lines that stretch for miles. The centre provides context, though I'd warn you upfront that opening hours can be sketchy and it's worth ringing ahead before making the journey from Bodmin.

Historians and Arthur enthusiasts will find genuine intrigue here. Families with young kids might manage an hour or so, but it's not a theme park - this is contemplative stuff, best appreciated when you can take the time to absorb the moorland's mood. The walking is excellent if you've got decent boots; the views are genuinely sweeping.

If you're basing yourself at nearby Rosebud Farm - a decent adults-only touring park - the Vale makes for a proper morning's outing. Combine it with other Bodmin attractions and you've got a solid day rather than anything you'd travel miles for alone.