Experience Bodmin

As we move towards the festive season, a range of exciting affordable cultural events are taking place across Bodmin, helping residents and visitors connect with the town's rich heritage, creativity and community spirit. Supported through the Experience Bodmin Event Grant Programme, these events showcase the diverse organisations, venues and individuals that make Bodmin such a vibrant place to live, work and visit.

Shadow Lounge Returns to St Petroc's Church

One of Bodmin's most atmospheric venues will once again provide the backdrop for an unforgettable evening as Shadow Lounge returns to St Petroc's Church (30th & 31st October). Blending live performance, music and a unique immersive setting, the event offers audiences the chance to experience one of Cornwall's finest historic buildings in a fresh and engaging way.

Creative Workshops at Discovering42

On 1st November, local Science Museum Discovering42 will host Make Time, a free clock-making workshop celebrating the legacy of John Arnold, the pioneering clockmaker born in Bodmin in 1736. Participants will have the chance to design and create their own working clock while learning about Arnold's extraordinary contribution to precision timekeeping and maritime navigation. Alongside the workshop, visitors will be able to explore Discovering42's growing makerspace and take part in hands-on activities that combine creativity, science and practical skills.

St Petroc's Heritage Event

Experience a Snapshot of Bodmin During the 40s and 50s, presented as part of St Petroc's Heritage Event, invites audiences to explore how the town was shaped by war, recovery and social change. Through photography, stories, fashion, music and dance, the event brings the mid twentieth century vividly to life. The event draws inspiration from the remarkable archive of local photographer George Ellis, whose images captured everyday life in Bodmin and across Cornwall during the wartime and post-war years. Visitors will discover stories of a community adapting to extraordinary times, while gaining a deeper appreciation of the people and places that helped shape modern Bodmin.

Supporting Culture, Heritage and Community

These events form part of Experience Bodmin's ongoing commitment to supporting place-based cultural activity that celebrates Bodmin's unique identity. By providing grants to local organisations and event organisers, the programme helps bring new experiences to residents and visitors while strengthening community connections and showcasing the town's rich cultural offer.

Lasting Legacy

More than a series of standalone events, these grant-supported projects are designed to leave a lasting legacy for the town, helping organisers test the long-term sustainability of new cultural ideas while encouraging local creatives, residents and visitors alike to take a chance on Bodmin. By supporting innovation, collaboration and community participation, the programme aims to build confidence in Bodmin as a place where culture can thrive, grow and inspire future opportunities.

Bodmin's cultural calendar continues to thrive, with Experience Bodmin event grants helping local artists, performers and community organisations deliver exciting new experiences. By supporting creative projects and community-led events, the grants are enhancing the town's growing cultural offer, attracting visitors and celebrating the heritage and talent that make Bodmin unique.

Among the projects receiving support are the new Bodmin Art Trails, curated by Bodmin Gallery & Creative Studio and led by local artists Karen Howse and Lisa Cooper. The trails invite participants to explore Bodmin through art, from sketching historic landmarks around Mount Folly Square and St Petroc's Church to capturing the natural beauty of the Camel Trail and the striking architecture of Bodmin Jail.

The art trails showcase how cultural funding can encourage creativity, wellbeing and community connection. Open to both beginners and experienced artists, they provide accessible opportunities for people to engage with Bodmin's heritage while developing new skills.

Another project benefiting from grant support is TIMEPIECE: Tempus Fugitives!, an immersive outdoor theatre experience that turns Bodmin town centre into a journey through time. Audiences follow clues, meet historical characters and uncover stories from Bodmin's past, creating a fun and engaging way to experience the town's heritage.

Together, the Bodmin Art Trails and TIMEPIECE demonstrate how event grants support cultural innovation, helping artists and organisations bring new ideas to life while creating memorable experiences for residents and visitors alike.

As Bodmin's cultural offer continues to grow, these initiatives are strengthening the town's reputation as a destination where heritage, creativity and community come together. Experience Bodmin remains committed to supporting projects that celebrate the town's identity and inspire people to get involved.

To discover more about upcoming events and activities, visit the More to Bodmin website.

Our team has been working in partnership with IntoBodmin to bring new life to a previously vacant shop unit at 79 Fore Street (next to McAuley’s Barber Shop) on Bodmin High Street, marking an exciting milestone in our mission to revitalise the town centre.

The space has already been successfully activated, launching with a vibrant art exhibition featuring a community-led collective of talented local makers and artists who came together through the Bodmin Art Circle initiative.

Coordinated by artist Aimiee Swatton, Bodmin Art Circle was created as a welcoming space where people can simply enjoy making art—free from pressure or expectation. The group offers a friendly and supportive environment where individuals can connect with others, build confidence, and develop their artistic skills while strengthening community ties.

Running until 28 June and open every day from 10am to 2pm, the exhibition invites visitors to immerse themselves in the creativity on display. Guests can enjoy the artwork or purchase beautiful, unique pieces—all locally made and affordably priced. With artists staffing the shop on a weekly rota, visitors also have the opportunity to meet them, learn more about their work, and hear about their connection to Bodmin.

Following the exhibition, the space will be reimagined as a working studio for professional artist Emma Digerud-White.

Over the coming months, it will continue to evolve into a dynamic, community-focused hub—showcasing Bodmin’s identity through creative displays, hosting inclusive activities, and testing new ideas to support high street regeneration. Take a virtual tour of the shop.

By bringing fresh energy and meaningful experiences into the town centre, Experience Bodmin aims to increase footfall, strengthen community connections, and play an active role in the town’s ongoing regeneration. Other recent initiatives supporting this goal include the launch of the More To Bodmin campaign and the Murals of Bodmin trail.

Photos: Emma Digerud-White (bottom left) - Open Circle Youth Forum (top right)

Powered and supported by our team, the session was organised by Access Cornwall in partnership with organisations including Cornwall Mobility, iSight Cornwall and Equally ABLED, inviting decision-makers to step directly into the lived experiences of people with disabilities. Participants took on everyday journeys through the town centre—routes many of us take for granted. Yet when approached in a wheelchair or with restricted vision, those same journeys quickly became far more challenging. Cornwall Council leader Cllr Leigh Frost travelled a short 0.3-mile stretch along Fore Street—something that would normally take just a few minutes. However, the experience revealed how navigating Bodmin can feel more like negotiating a maze when accessibility is limited. And when an unexpected downpour set in, the reality of those challenges became even more apparent.

While tools like wheelchairs and impairment goggles provided a glimpse into accessibility barriers, organisers were clear: nothing can fully replicate the real, daily experiences of disabled residents. Still, even this brief insight proved eye-opening. Councillors described feelings ranging from frustration to fatigue and even anxiety—emotions many people with mobility or vision impairments encounter regularly. The goal wasn’t to “replicate” disability, but to build empathy, awareness, and urgency for change.

Leadership Backed by Lived Experience

The day was supported by Deputy Mayor Cllr Peter Skea and Cornwall Councillor Steven Webb, both wheelchair users and strong advocates for accessibility. For them, this wasn’t just an exercise—it was a chance for colleagues to experience first-hand the barriers they navigate every day. Their message was simple: understanding leads to better decisions.

Building a More Accessible Bodmin

According to Access Cornwall Director Viki Carpenter, there is strong momentum behind efforts to make Bodmin more inclusive, with accessibility now a clear priority for the town council.

This work forms part of the wider Experience Bodmin project—an initiative led by Cornwall Council to position the town as a vibrant, year-round destination. Through events like this, alongside free accessibility training for local businesses, the project is shining a spotlight on the need for greater inclusivity and helping to ensure Bodmin works for everyone—residents, visitors and businesses alike.

Planing a visit? Check out More To Bodmin Website

Photos: Bodmin Mayor and local councillors engaging throughout the day (top right and bottom right)

Bodmin is gearing up to welcome back one of Cornwall’s most treasured traditions, as the Bodmin Riding & Heritage Festival returns next month – bringing with it centuries of history, colour, and community spirit. Taking place over the first weekend in July (Friday 3rd and Saturday 4th in 2026), the festival promises a lively mix of heritage, performance, and family-friendly fun, continuing a legacy that stretches back hundreds of years.

Bodmin Riding is widely regarded as one of Cornwall’s oldest living traditions, with the earliest written reference dating back to 1469—though even then it was already described as an established custom, suggesting much older origins. At the heart of the festival lies a powerful piece of local history: the story of St Petroc, Bodmin’s patron saint. In 1177, his relics were stolen and taken to Brittany, only to be recovered and triumphantly returned. Today, the symbolic procession of St Petroc’s casket remains a central and moving element of the celebrations.

What to Expect in 2026

The festival weekend begins on Friday evening, bringing people together for a shared feast with local food, live music, and the traditional ‘Riding Ale’—a chance to gather and celebrate ahead of the main event.

On Saturday, Bodmin town centre transforms as roads close and the streets fill with life:

- A grand procession led by Bodmin Town Band

- Children performing the traditional Furry Dance

- Medieval costumes, bringing history vividly to life

- Craft stalls, local traders, and artisan displays

- Historical re-enactments and interactive experiences

- Live entertainment and activities for all ages

Visitors are encouraged to dress up and get involved, helping to create a festive atmosphere that feels both historic and joyfully contemporary.

As the streets once again fill with music, colour, and centuries-old tradition, Bodmin invites residents and visitors to come together and celebrate its unique heritage.

Find out more

Photos: Kindly provided by Bodmin Camera Club from the 2019 festival -Roy Reynolds (top right) -Peter Hicks (bottom left)

We’re delighted to share the launch of the More to Bodmin blog – a new space dedicated to exploring the people, places and stories that make Bodmin such a distinctive and welcoming town. The blog brings together features, insights and updates that shine a light on what makes Bodmin special. From local creativity and culture to heritage, landscape, community life and new developments, each post offers a deeper look at the town and the experiences it has to offer. Whether you live in Bodmin, work locally, run a business, or are planning a visit, the blog is designed to help you discover more – more stories, more connections and more reasons to feel proud of this place.

What you’ll find on the blog

Stories from local people, organisations and businesses

Highlights of events, projects and initiatives in and around Bodmin

Reflections on the town’s heritage, culture and natural environment

Ideas and inspiration for exploring Bodmin in new ways

The blog forms part of the wider More to Bodmin initiative, which aims to celebrate the town’s strengths, challenge outdated perceptions and encourage people to look a little closer at everything Bodmin has to offer.

Explore the blog

You can read the latest posts and explore past articles on the More to Bodmin website:

👉 https://moretobodmin.co.uk/blog/

We invite you to take a look, share posts that resonate with you, and join the conversation about what makes Bodmin a place full of stories worth telling.

We have partnered with Access Cornwall to offer free Disability Awareness Training for businesses and organisations in and around Bodmin.The training is designed to help local businesses and community organisations become more accessible, inclusive and welcoming for disabled customers, visitors and colleagues.

Why inclusion benefits your business

Becoming more inclusive helps businesses to access the Purple Pound by making it easier for disabled people to shop locally, visit venues, and recommend services to others. Inclusive businesses are more likely to:

- Attract new customers and retain existing ones

- Increase repeat visits and customer loyalty

- Receive positive reviews and recommendations

- Strengthen their reputation as welcoming and community‑focused

- Support local economic growth while meeting social responsibilities

Accessibility improvements often benefit many other customers too, including older people, families with pushchairs, and people with temporary injuries.

What the training covers

The CPD‑accredited session provides practical guidance to help participants:

- improve confidence when supporting disabled customers and colleagues

- Understand and reduce barriers in customer‑facing and workplace environments

- Create a more welcoming and inclusive experience for everyone

- Strengthen your business by reaching a wider customer base

The training is suitable for shops, cafés, hospitality venues, offices, attractions, and community organisations in and around Bodmin.

Training dates and formats

Two delivery options are available:

Online (Zoom)

📅 Tuesday 9 June

⏰ 12:00pm

🕒 Approx. 1–1.5 hours

Face to face

📅 Thursday 11 June

⏰ 10:30am

📍 The Old Library, Bodmin

🕒 Approx. 1.5–2 hours

Both sessions are free to attend and cover the same core content.

Book your place

Places are limited and booking is essential.

👉 Book online

📞 Call: 01326 350805

✉️ Email: hello@accesscornwall.org.uk

By taking part, you’ll be helping to make Bodmin a more accessible and inclusive place for everyone.

When Experience Bodmin began, residents told us they wanted to see more colour and creativity brought into the town centre. In response, we worked closely with talented artists, local landlords, Cornwall Council and Bodmin Town Council to deliver mural artworks that everyone can enjoy.

We’re delighted to mark the completion of the first stage of an exciting new public art programme in Bodmin, with three large‑scale murals now unveiled across the town. Drawing on Bodmin’s heritage and creative energy, the artworks celebrate local identity while adding colour, character and a renewed sense of place to key locations.

Together, the murals create new visual landmarks, transforming everyday spaces into engaging points of interest for residents and visitors alike.

At Dennison Road Car Park (Stillmoor Surgery), Cornwall‑based street artist Koe One has created a striking, photo‑realistic mural depicting wildlife found across Cornwall. Rich in detail and atmosphere, the artwork reflects the natural environment that surrounds Bodmin while adding a vibrant splash of colour to the space.

On Crockwell Street, at the Cornwall Hospice building, artist Claire Prouvost has delivered a bold, cubist‑inspired mural that references the site’s Art Deco cinema heritage. The dynamic design brings contemporary energy to the street while honouring the building’s cultural history and its place within the town.

As the murals appear throughout the town, they invite people to pause, look again and experience familiar streets in a new way. The artworks form part of a wider creative programme using public art to enrich Bodmin’s streetscape and strengthen its sense of place.

This work was made possible thanks to Cornwall Council’s Town Centre Revitalisation Fund.

Look out for the artworks as you explore the town over the coming weeks — and watch this space for what’s still to come.

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 and website 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!