Bodmin Moor
Although Bodmin Moor is not large compared with
other areas of moorland, just over 100 square miles, it is exceptionally
rich in archaeological remains from prehistoric, medieval and post-medieval
times.
It is covered in prehistoric barrows and stone hut
circles, reaching its highest point n Brown Willy at 1375 feet.
The largest stone circle consists of the Hurlers,
men turned to stone for playing the Cornish game of hurling on the Sabbath.
Nearby is the dramatic stack of stones known as the Cheesewring, which
William Borlase believed was built by the Druids, but has been created
by miners stacking stones and natural erosion.
At one time almost the whole moor was covered in
trees but from around 10,000BC the people, who wandered the land hunting
and gathering began clearing the area.
These early farmers created fields - long strips of land with boundaries of low
stony banks known as reaves.They form blocks of land which became a territory
or estate for a particular group of people living in a settlement or village.
Dotted around in these fields, which are still visible, are the remains of hut
circles which are round dwelling houses where the farmers lived.
Bodmin Moor also plays host to Jamaica Inn, which
is an 18th century coaching inn famous for its tales of smuggling and
skullduggery. Today it is a major tourist attraction where visitors can
imagine days gone by when travellers would stop off at the Inn before
resuming their journey across the barren moor. The Inn is located between
Bodmin and Launceston just off the A30 at Bolventor.

Bodmin Moor Sheep