Bellamins Tor Car Park – The Ultimate Bodmin Moor Parking Guide 🚗
Free 24/7 moorland parking on the A30 – Gateway to Bodmin's wild landscapes, hiking trails & ancient monuments. Your adventure starts here!
🚗 Type: Free Rural Layby
🕒 Open: 24/7 (ungated)
🌟 Rating: 4.5/5 (hikers’ favourite, noted for basic facilities)
💰 PRICING & PERMITS
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Cost: Free (no time restrictions)
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Payment: Not required
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Permits: None (public highway)
📊 CAPACITY & PHYSICAL FEATURES
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total Spaces | ~15 (informal gravel bays) |
| Surface | Compacted gravel (potholes after rain) |
| Lighting | None (remote location) |
| Security | None (regular police patrols on A30) |
| Height Limit | None (HGV-friendly) |
♿ ACCESSIBILITY
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Disabled Access: Rough terrain – not wheelchair-friendly
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Nearest Adapted Parking: Bodmin Town Centre (4 miles, 8x bays)
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Drop-Off Zone: Possible at layby entrance (no formal markings)
🔌 EV INFRASTRUCTURE
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On-Site Charging: None
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Nearest Options:
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Gridserve (Bodmin Services PL30 5AA – 6x 50kW) – 10-min drive
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Pod Point (Lidl PL31 2AG) – 15-min drive
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📅 PEAK TIMES & OCCUPANCY
| Timeframe | Occupancy | User Profile |
|---|---|---|
| Summer Weekends 8AM-6PM | 90% | Hikers & tourists |
| Weekdays | 30% | Local farmers/commuters |
| Winter Evenings | 10% | Occasional overnighters |
| Pro Tip: Arrive before 9AM in summer or use Colliford Lake Car Park (5 miles east) if full. |
🚶 KEY WALKS & ATTRACTIONS
| Destination | Walk Time | Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Bellamins Tor Summit | 20-min | 360° moorland views |
| Jamaica Inn | 45-min | Famous smuggling haunt |
| Colliford Lake | 1-hour | Scenic reservoir circuit |
| Dozmary Pool | 1.5-hour | Legendary Arthurian site |
🛒 NEARBY AMENITIES
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Essentials:
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Nearest toilets: Jamaica Inn (3 miles)
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Emergency phone: A30 call box 500m west
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Food/Drink:
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Jamaica Inn – Historic coaching inn
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Altarnun Village Shop – 4 miles north
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🅿️ ALTERNATIVE PARKING COMPARISON
| Site | Distance | Cost | Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jamaica Inn Car Park | 3 miles | Free (customers only) | Smugglers’ museum |
| Bodmin Beacon | 5 miles | Free | Panoramic town views |
| Colliford Lake | 5 miles | £2 all-day | Waterside walks |
⚠️ IMPORTANT NOTICES
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Overnight Parking: Tolerated but no facilities
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Weather Warnings: Can fog over rapidly – check forecasts
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Livestock: Moorland animals may roam near cars
📌 EXPERT TIPS
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Dawn Advantage: Best light for photography at Bellamins Tor
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Hiker Hack: Leave no trace – no bins on site
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Safety Note: Tell someone your route – mobile signal patchy
🔮 FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS
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2025: Possible heritage trail markers (Cornwall Council proposal)
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2026: Feasibility study for emergency phone installation
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