Step off the A30 and onto the windswept Bodmin Moor, and you’ll find yourself at one of Britain’s most legendary pubs – the Jamaica Inn. This place isn’t just a pub; it’s part of Cornish folklore, literary history, and a must-visit for anyone chasing a pint with a side of ghosts.
A Smuggler’s Haven Since 1750
The inn was built in 1750 as a coaching stop, offering shelter and fresh horses for travellers braving the long, bleak stretch between Bodmin and Launceston. But the remote setting quickly made it the perfect hiding place for smugglers. Rum, brandy, tea, and tobacco would arrive on Cornwall’s rugged coast and find their way across the moor to be hidden within...
Bodmin Moor is one of those places that takes your breath away before you’ve even thought about your first pint. The wide skies, granite tors and rolling mist make it feel wild and untamed. But tucked away across this rugged landscape are pubs and breweries that have been keeping walkers, travellers, and the occasional smuggler refreshed for centuries. On my latest wander across the moor, I ducked into a few of them – and what I found was a mix of history, hearty hospitality, and some brilliant Cornish ales.
Jamaica Inn – Smugglers and Stories
No trip to Bodmin Moor feels complete without a stop at Jamaica Inn, the coaching house turned world-famous pub that’s as famous...