Experience Bodmin

Saturday 16th May | From 09:30

Starting and finishing at Bodmin Leisure Centre

Experience Bodmin is proud to support Bodmin Cycle Quest through the Experience Bodmin Event Grant, organised and coordinated by The Cornwall Bicycle Project. This event forms part of a wider programme of local activities powered by Experience Bodmin, designed to encourage residents and visitors alike to discover what Bodmin town and its beautiful surroundings have to offer. The programme aims to activate spaces through creativity, community spirit, and shared experiences.

This fully guided cycling adventure starts and finishes at Bodmin Leisure Centre and offers participants the opportunity to explore Bodmin, travel along the Camel Trail, and experience the stunning landscapes of Bodmin Moor.

A Guided Cycling Adventure

Bodmin Cycle Quest takes riders along local cycle paths, through the beautiful Camel Trail, and out into the Cornish countryside. With experienced ride leaders and a friendly, supportive group atmosphere, the focus is on enjoying the journey together, with no one left behind.

Choose Your Challenge – Medals for All

Participants can select the route that best suits their ability and goals:

- 10 Mile Ride

A relaxed, fully guided ride through Bodmin and onto the Camel Trail, returning to the Leisure Centre.

This route is perfect for: Families, New cyclists, Adapted cyclists, Anyone looking for a fun, friendly ride

- 20 Mile Ride

Follow the Camel Trail to Wadebridge before heading towards the moors and looping back to Bodmin.

Ideal for riders wanting to build confidence or increase their mileage.

- 40 Mile Ride

The ultimate Bodmin Cycle Quest challenge. Riders follow the route to Wadebridge, continue towards the coast, and then loop back inland to Bodmin.

Designed for participants seeking a longer and more challenging ride.

Everyone Welcome

The event is open to:

• Families
• New cyclists
• Adapted cyclists
• Regular riders
• Anyone who enjoys a friendly, supported group ride

What to Bring

Please ensure your bike is roadworthy and bring:

• A suitable cycle
• Helmet
• Snacks or lunch
• Drinks
• Weather‑appropriate clothing
• Spare inner tube (recommended)

Entry Fees

The Cornwall Bicycle Project Members: £2.00 (sign up via Spond)

Non‑members: £3.50 (pay on the day)

Bodmin is a town full of stories, skills and surprises. From independent shops and cafés to cultural venues, attractions, services and events, there is far more happening here than many people realise.

The More to Bodmin campaign has been launched to change how the town is seen — locally and beyond — by collectively celebrating what Bodmin already does well. Customer‑facing businesses in the local area (PL31 and PL30) have a vital role to play.

Why does your business matter?

People often form their impression of a town through its businesses. Shop windows, cafés, hospitality venues, studios, attractions and service providers are the everyday touchpoints that shape how Bodmin feels.

When visitors and residents see businesses proudly associated with a shared message — that there is more to Bodmin — it builds confidence, curiosity and pride. It helps challenge outdated perceptions and encourages people to explore further, stay longer and support locally.

Getting involved is simple

You don’t need to overhaul your branding, redesign your website or follow strict rules. More to Bodmin is designed to be flexible, practical and inclusive.

Here are a few easy ways to take part:

1) Make the campaign visible

One of the simplest ways to show your support is by displaying campaign materials in your physical space.

2) Add More to Bodmin online

You can also show your involvement digitally.

You can choose to co‑brand (your logo alongside the campaign) or simply use the logo as an association mark. Either approach is welcome.

3) Start using the language

You don’t need to copy campaign wording word‑for‑word. Instead, you can weave the idea of “More to…” into your existing marketing in a way that feels natural to you.

For example: More to explore, More to eat and drink, More creativity, More heritage, More community

4) Talk about why you’re involved

You might mention More to Bodmin in:

• Social media posts
• Email newsletters
• Blog posts
• Event promotions
• Printed brochures

Tell people why Bodmin matters to you, what you love about working here, or what makes your offer part of the town’s wider story. Using the hashtag #MoreToBodmin helps link everything together.

More to Bodmin marketing toolkit has been developed to make participation even easier. It includes ready‑written social posts, downloadable posters, simple templates, imagery and guidance for co‑branding alongside your existing look and feel.

You can use as much or as little as you want. The campaign is designed to support you — not restrict you.

Together, those small, consistent actions will build something far bigger than any one business could do alone.

TIMEPIECE: Tempus Fugitives! -The Crew

Several of vibrant cultural, creative and community events have recently taken place in and around Bodmin, some supported through Experience Bodmin’s Events Grant scheme. Designed to boost footfall and local livelihoods while showcasing the town’s creativity, history and independent spirit, the programme aims to encourage residents and visitors alike to explore the town during a traditionally quieter time of year. By investing in live music, illuminated arts, outdoor activities and creative workshops, Experience Bodmin has helped animate the town centre, attract new audiences and offer fresh reasons to visit, stay longer and discover more of what the area has to offer.

TIMEPIECE: Tempus Fugitives! – An Illuminated Journey Through Time

- Bodmin town centre came alive on the Spring Equinox with TIMEPIECE: Tempus Fugitives!, an immersive, free, roving arts event that invited audiences to step into a playful world of time travel. Taking place across multiple town‑centre locations, this experimental performance blended storytelling, light and local heritage into a sequence of short pop‑up moments, all linked by an illuminated trail and guided map. Participants followed the “Tempus Fugitives” - accidental time travellers lost in Old Bodmin — uncovering clues and discovering famous and lesser‑known characters from the town’s past along the way. Delivered by a small team of local artists and performers, the event offered a fresh and imaginative way to experience Bodmin’s relationship with time, history and place, while encouraging people to explore the town on foot and see familiar spaces in a new light.

Battle of the Bands– A Soundtrack to Spring in Bodmin

- Live music was firmly in the spotlight with Battle of the Bands Bodmin, a multi‑round competition hosted at The Beat. Held across four dates — 25 January, 1 February, 8 February and the grand finale on 22 March - the event brought together 21 bands from Bodmin, across Cornwall and even further afield. Over the course of the competition, around 360 audience members attended in person, with many more reached through radio broadcasts and online promotion. Spanning genres from grunge and spoken word to acoustic and easy listening, the event created an energetic and inclusive atmosphere where musicians could connect, collaborate and share their stories. Beyond the music, Battle of the Bands had a strong community focus, helping to raise awareness of mental health through performances and personal journeys shared by participating artists. The success of the event - both creatively and socially - has laid strong foundations for future live music activity in Bodmin and reinforced the town’s growing reputation as a hub for grassroots talent.

Cotton Wood Easter Downhill Race - part of Cornwall Bicycle Project special events programme

- Outdoor adventure was also high on the agenda, thanks to The Cornwall Bicycle Project’s special events programme, which continues to provide inclusive and accessible cycling opportunities for people of all ages and abilities. Recent and upcoming activities near Bodmin have included friendly, entry‑level downhill races at Cotton Wood near Nanstallon, alongside family‑focused and adaptive cycling sessions designed to build confidence and encourage participation. With a strong emphasis on inclusivity, sustainability and enjoyment, these events support healthier lifestyles while helping people connect with Cornwall’s outdoor spaces. By combining sport, community engagement and environmental awareness, The Cornwall Bicycle Project is creating welcoming pathways for more people to get active and explore the landscape around them.

Bodmin Gallery Heritage Workshops

- Creativity took a more hands‑on form at Bodmin Gallery with a series of workshops exploring the town's history and heritage. From silver jewellery to felting, calligraphy and willow weaving, participants have been able to develop new creative skills. The grant has funded equipment that have been used in 10 workshops so far with many more planned and to come in future months. Make sure to check out their programme and book yourself into a creative workshop to learn something new.

St Petroc's Heritage Adventures

-Bodmin Way recently invited families and visitors to explore one of Bodmin’s most important historic spaces in a fun and engaging way. Through interactive storytelling, creative activities and guided discovery, the event brought the history of St Petroc’s Church to life, encouraging people of all ages to connect with local heritage in an accessible and playful setting. It offered a fresh way to experience the building, while inspiring curiosity about Bodmin’s past.

The Shadow Lounge Brings Town Untold Stories to Life

The Shadow Lounge recently transformed St Petroc’s Church in Bodmin into an atmospheric, multi‑sensory experience, offering audiences a unique way to engage with heritage, storytelling and place. This immersive promenade event combined shifting light, shadow, sound and spoken word to re‑imagine local myths and untold stories within the historic setting of Cornwall’s largest parish church. Guided through a series of evocative installations, visitors experienced the building in a completely new way, as architecture, imagination and performance came together to create moments of surprise, reflection and connection. The event showcased how historic spaces can be activated through contemporary creative practice, drawing in new audiences and encouraging people to see familiar landmarks afresh.

A Town Full of Ideas and Energy

Together, these events reflect the breadth of activity happening in and around Bodmin - from large‑scale, town‑wide arts experiences to intimate creative workshops, from live music to outdoor adventure. Each one plays a part in building a vibrant, connected community and reinforcing Bodmin as a place where culture, creativity and participation are thriving.

And there’s more to come, so watch this space!

Nicola Bealing's Hanging Baskets at Bodmin Railway General Station

When Flamm, Cornwall’s contemporary visual arts festival, arrived in Bodmin at the end of February, it did far more than bring exhibitions and installations to town. For one vibrant weekend, it reshaped how Bodmin was seen – by visitors, by national media, and, perhaps most importantly, by its own community.

Writing in The Guardian, Steven Morris described Flamm as an “eclectic festival” bringing high‑quality contemporary art to a town often bypassed by tourists on their way to Cornwall’s coast. The article highlighted how Bodmin’s most characteristic buildings and public spaces were reimagined as places of creativity and encounter – from sound installations on station platforms to sculptural works inspired by Bodmin Jail’s folklore and the archives of Bodmin Keep.

But behind the headlines was a deeper impact: Flamm helped Bodmin see itself differently.

A Town Alive With Creative Energy

Delivered across 15 venues, Flamm 2026 featured 28 free exhibitions, installations and events, making contemporary art accessible to all and embedding it directly into the everyday life of the town. Historic landmarks such as Bodmin Jail, Bodmin Keep, St Petroc’s Church and Bodmin Railway became cultural stages, while shops, pop‑up spaces and community venues welcomed new audiences.

Over the festival weekend, more than 3,100 visits were recorded across Flamm activity sites, with Discovering42, IntoBodmin and Bodmin Keep among the busiest locations. Crucially, many attendees moved organically between multiple venues, exploring areas of the town they might not usually visit.

Flamm’s reach extended well beyond the weekend itself. The festival website attracted over 6,000 new users and more than 23,000 page views, while social media activity reached tens of thousands across Instagram and Facebook, amplifying Bodmin’s cultural story far beyond Cornwall.

Local Stories, National Attention

A defining strength of Flamm was its grounding in local narratives. Artists worked closely with Bodmin’s collections, histories and communities – from reinterpreting objects held in Bodmin Keep’s archives to drawing on legends associated with Bodmin Jail, railway workers and the town’s watery past.

This approach resonated nationally. The Guardian coverage explicitly framed Bodmin as “unsung” rather than lacking, positioning art and culture as catalysts for pride, wellbeing and renewed confidence in place.

Bodmin Speaks, Bodmin Open Circle at The Pop Up

Building a Legacy, Not Just a Moment

Flamm 2026 was never intended as a one‑off spectacle. Conceived and delivered by Creative Kernow and its network of creatives, with the support of the Experience Bodmin team and local partners, the festival forms part of a wider, long‑term vision for Bodmin.

That vision is now taking clearer shape through Captain Culture – Bodmin’s emerging narrative and bid framework for UK Town of Culture 2028. Captain Culture positions creativity not as an “add‑on”, but as a foundational tool for regeneration, participation and confidence‑building across the town.

Flamm demonstrated this in practice:

- Empty or overlooked spaces animated with people and ideas

- Young people and local communities collaborating directly with artists

- Increased footfall supporting local businesses and venues

- A strengthened sense of pride in Bodmin’s identity and potential

These are exactly the conditions Captain Culture seeks to grow – showing that culture in Bodmin is already happening, and that with sustained investment, its impact can multiply.

Looking Ahead

The legacy of Flamm 2026 is visible in new partnerships, renewed confidence and a growing recognition of Bodmin as a place of creative ambition. It showed that when contemporary art meets local story – and when culture is made open, welcoming and embedded – change feels possible.

Flamm lit the spark. What happens next is about keeping that flame alive.

We’re delighted to announce the launch of our brand‑new website, www.moretobodmin.co.uk - a one‑stop hub designed to help you discover everything Bodmin has to offer.

Whether you’re looking for what’s on, planning a day out, or simply want to explore your town in new ways, More to Bodmin brings it all together in one easy‑to‑use place. From upcoming events and activities to local places to visit, scenic trails, and things to do in and around town, the website is your go‑to guide for staying connected and inspired.

More to Bodmin also celebrates Bodmin’s rich heritage, sharing stories that highlight the town’s history while shining a spotlight on the warm, welcoming community that makes it such a special place to live and visit. It’s a platform created for residents, visitors, families, creatives, and anyone curious to explore more.

We encourage everyone to take a look, bookmark the site, and check back regularly - new events, discoveries, and opportunities will be added all the time. With More to Bodmin, you’ll never miss out on what’s happening in your town again.

Start exploring today and discover just how much there is to love about Bodmin.

The first of three large-scale artworks set to sprinkle colour and creativity across Bodmin has officially been unveiled—earning heaps of love from residents!

On Stillmoor Surgery (Dennison Road car park), Cornwall-based street artist Koe One has transformed an ordinary wall into a stunning, photo-realistic celebration of Cornish wildlife.

Andy “Koe One” is a well-known name in Cornwall’s street art scene. His work is collected internationally, and he’s painted murals for some of the world’s biggest brands—so Bodmin is in truly expert hands.

Photos of the completed piece, shared by the White Hart Inn, Bodmin Town Council, and Bodmin Mural Facebook pages, quickly racked up thousands of likes and hundreds of glowing comments.

One local said:

“I got stuck in morning traffic outside Stillmoor and this was so lovely to see. Brilliant artwork!”

Another commented:

“Had the pleasure of watching this mural come to life over the last week or so. It is fantastic—so realistic, especially the fox. Well done.”

The Team Behind the Scenes

While the mural may have appeared like magic, months of careful planning happened behind the curtain. Our team has been working closely with the local community and collaborating with Jack Tierney of Slapdash Studio, who coordinated this first installation and will also lead the creation of the two upcoming murals on Honey Street and Crockwell Street.

Jack is a Cornwall-based artist with sixteen years of professional mural experience. His client list includes Alexander McQueen, Gucci, and Nike, and his paintings have been exhibited across the UK—including Liberty London.

Part of a Bigger Vision for Bodmin

This mural is just one piece of a wider programme of public realm improvements delivered by Cornwall Council and supported by Experience Bodmin, which plays a key role in celebrating Bodmin’s cultural identity and making the town an even more inviting place to visit.

Why Experience Bodmin Is Supporting These Murals

Experience Bodmin is proud to help deliver these vibrant installations as part of its core mission:

• Enhancing Bodmin’s appeal to visitors
• Promoting Bodmin as a must-visit destination

These murals bring that mission to life—using creativity and public art to strengthen our sense of place, boost footfall, and spark community pride. Experience Bodmin has supported both the mural design process and the installation to ensure each piece reflects the stories and spirit that matter most to local people.

Two More Murals Arriving by Early April

Once all three artworks are completed, they will create a colourful trail through Bodmin Town Centre—adding beauty, interest, and a renewed sense of identity. And this is only the beginning. More cultural, creative, and collaborative improvements are on the way.

Experience Bodmin will continue to share updates as the next murals take shape and as further enhancements across the town centre unfold.

We’re pleased to share that Access Cornwall is working with us to support accessibility across the town and help make it easier for disabled people to enjoy activities in and around Bodmin .

This programme will focus on improving accessibility insight, supporting local businesses with funded training and strengthening the information available to residents and visitors — helping more people who are disabled and neurodivergent feel confident exploring what Bodmin has to offer.

Want to Be Part of This?

We’re keen to connect with disabled and neurodivergent people who would like to share their lived experience and help inform this work.

Your insight can help shape practical, realistic improvements that make a real difference.

Get in touch!

hello@accesscornwall.org.uk 01326 350805