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Local Information for Bodmin

Bodmin is a town in Cornwall in the United Kingdom, with a population of 12,778 (2001 census). It was formerly the county town of Cornwall, but that is now Truro.

Bodmin is an ancient trading place. It lies on a route that crosses Cornwall North to South called the Saint's Way. In the past it was sometimes called the Mariner's Way because merchants from Wales, Ireland and Northern France often crossed Cornwall overland from the Camel to the Fowey rather than pass Lands End by sea.

During the Iron Age the Celts built a hill fort, which is now known as Canyke Castle. Later the Romans built a fort to defend a strategic river crossing. In the 6th century St Petroc, the patron saint of Cornwall, established a monastery at Padstow. In the 10th century it moved to Bodmin. In the 12th century it was changed to an Augustinian priory. The name of the town 'Bodmin' may mean 'house of monks'. Certainly, for centuries the priory dominated the town. Henry VIII closed the priory i...More