Lower Bradford Farm Bodmin Moor Cornwall — Self-catering Bodmin Moor at Lower Bradford Farmhouse

WHAT? WHERE?

Think of a holiday in Cornwall and you probably think of the coastline, but National Landscape (previously AONB) Bodmin Moor should not be overlooked for a self-catering stay. Quiet, peaceful, rugged and beautiful, these moors in North Cornwall are littered with ancient standing stones and circles, piles of rocky outcrops and are also home to two of Cornwall’s highest points, Roughtor and Brown Willy. At Bradford, near to the villages of St Breward and Blisland stands Lower Bradford Farmhouse, a restored 1850s farmhouse fusing Victorian charm with modern industrial design, and just right for a moorland self-catering family holiday.

Bodmin Moor is divided by the A30, Cornwall’s main road, which means it is super easy to access, and, bonus, means you can easily get to both the north and south coast for days out, so no need to choose, just see what the weather is doing. Bodmin Moor has been designated an International Dark Sky Landscape by the International Dark-Sky Association, which means very low light pollution and plenty of stars.

THE VIBE

Wholesome Cornish fun for creating family holidays is the vibe here. The walls are lined with photos of the owners and friends doing just that, reminding you that there is fun of every kind to be had in Cornwall; from beach outings to heritage sites, campfire fun to boat trips (check out my guides for things to do in Cornwall here for more ideas).

Cabin interior Lower Bradford Farm Bodmin Moor Cornwall

The property is pretty typical of a moorland Victorian farmhouse, but it is the beautiful mature Cornish gardens that are the real draw here. They stretch to 2.5 acres complete with lawn, sun bed area, pond, water features and woodland. There is also a Scandinavian-Inspired Log Fire Cabin ready for year-round use. Stocked with unlimited supply of logs, glasses, mood lighting, and even a bottle carrier, it is a memorable place to spend an evening. Outside is a ready made campfire area which my children absolutely loved – there’s a woodpile and logs to sit on and it was totally magical.

garden loungers Lower Bradford Farm Bodmin Moor Cornwall

SCOFF & QUAFF

Self-catering is easy here, with a well-equipped kitchen, including oven and aga, Nespresso machine and even a Nutribullet. A BBQ is built into the courtyard and with seating outside for up to 10, and also full table inside as well as stools at the breakfast island, there’s plenty of space for everyone to eat comfortably.

Guests are welcomed with a luxury hamper of Cornish goodies (tea, coffee, chocolate, plus Champagne to get your first night off to a great start) and there are plenty of coffee capsules ready, but other than that you’ll need to come prepared as this property is beautifully remote. Not to worry though, despite being on the moor, supermarket deliveries are totally possible here if you book in advance (aside from Ocado, who don’t deliver in Cornwall) or a local delivery from Lobster Box delivering foodies in Cornwall and across the country up to a three-course meal. Or, there are also lovely local shops and farm shops at Wadebridge, Padstow, Launceston and Lifton. Bodmin has the nearest physical supermarkets and petrol stations.

interiors Lower Bradford Farm Bodmin Moor Cornwall

If you were so inclined, you could also arrange for a private chef to come over, so that you could sit back and enjoy the evening. Josh & Georgie at Kaloura’s Kitchen are based in nearby Wadebridge or there are other recommendations from owner Wendy in the guide she sends out to guests which I have not tried personally.

Even if you don’t get a private chef, this is a great place for a celebratory gathering. There’s a stand alone wine fridge, and plenty of glasses, plates and so on, to enough cutlery and crockery for both lunch and dinner. This is not one of those holiday houses where you have to run the dishwasher after every meal just so everyone has a clean fork.

PILLOW TALK

Bedroom at Lower Bradford Farmhouse Bodmin Moor

Five spacious bedrooms sleep up to ten guests. Four have double beds, and the fifth can be made up as a twin or double, but it is on the ground floor. Rooms are comfortable, the beds have white Egyptian cotton sheets and rooms have everything you need – like bedside lights, tables and hanging space. The bathroom has a roll-top bath, and two bedrooms are en-suite with walk-in shower cubicles. Soap is provided but remember to bring the rest of your toiletries.

bedroom at Lower Bradford Farmhouse Cornwall

The property also has a sitting room / lounge with original features including exposed granite walls, Victorian tiles, slate flagstones, and traditional fireplaces plus a wood-burning stove with unlimited logs.

lounge interior at Lower Bradford Farm Bodmin Moor Cornwall

SPA

No spa, pool, or hot tub on the premises, but nearby at the village of St Breward is Muddy finalist, Delphy Pool – it is a free diving centre in a flooded quarry where you can also swim. We didn’t get a chance to pop over while we were there but friends who live locally enjoy wild swimming and using the sauna / hot tub – book ahead for this one.

river at Lower Bradford Farmhouse Cornwall

For a cheaper alternative to get your feet wet, the river at Bradford Bridge just by the house is shallow and inviting, above, and local kids love Delphi Bridge just down the river a little for the wide sandy beach and shallows for splashing.

KID-FRIENDLY?

Yes. My kids loved the massive garden and the rocking horse in the hallway was a hit with my son. There is no play equipment in the garden as such, nor a trampoline, but there is plenty of grass to explore and play on.

Upstairs is a bookcase full of books and games – perfect for rainy evenings, and there are also board games in the cupboard downstairs, plus a speaker, and TV with Neflix, Prime and iPlayer, and wifi too, your teens will be pleased to hear.

campfire at Lower Bradford Farmhouse Cornwall

The highlight for my kids was playing in the stream by the bridge just nearby, and then being allowed to help light the campfire in the campfire area at the end of the extensive gardens – listening to music and toasting marshmallows as the light faded out of the day was really memorable.

OUT & ABOUT

cabin in garden at Lower Bradford Farm Bodmin Moor Cornwall

The fully enclosed gardens with the log cabin, above, are safe for children and dogs, with moor ponies, sheep, lambs, and a nearby river on the doorstep. A south-facing courtyard with built-in BBQ, large dining table, and seating for 10 makes this the perfect inter-generational holiday home.

garden in spring at Lower Bradford Farm Bodmin Moor Cornwall

Tons to do locally here, with such a central location the whole of Cornwall is super accessible. It is as easy to access the north coast, with beaches like Trebarwith Strand, Polzeath, and Rock, as it is the south coast, for Fowey, Looe, Mevagissey and more – like the Lost Gardens of Heligan.

Roughtor and Brown Willy Bodmin Moor Lower Bradford Farmhouse Cornwall

The moorland locations means walks, rivers, and trails can be accessed on foot from the property; the peaks of Brown Willy and Roughtor are both nearby, above, and you could also find King Arthur’s Hall just outside St Breward, or The Hurlers and the Cheesewring nearer to Launceston. Also don’t miss Colliford Lake, Cornwall’s largest inland water, with plenty of lovely walking paths, and the newly installed Cornish hedge labyrinth, Kerdroya, below, on its banks.

Kerdroya - The Cornish Landscape Labyrinth — Kerdroya – The Cornish Landscape Labyrinth

The market towns of Bodmin and Wadebridge are nearby where you’ll find restaurants like winner of Best Casual Dining at the recent Muddy Awards (Native Burger Bodmin) and then there are recommended restaurants in Boscastle (The Rocket Store), Rock (Four Boys), Fowey (North Street Kitchen) as well as foodie Padstow and Port Isaac for finer dining thanks to Rick Stein, Paul Ainsworth and Nathan Outlaw. The Blisland Inn is a proper traditional moorland pub in the nearby village of, you’ve guessed it, Blisland.

The nearest airport is at Newquay, and the nearest railway station at Bodmin, an easy taxi ride away (it’s Cornwall though, so pre-book). For those driving, and unless you spend your entire trip walking from the property, you’ll want a car to explore, Bradford is not far off the A30 and there’s parking for an enormous number of cars on the driveway – you could fit at least one per bedroom likely more!

DOG-FRIENDLY?

garden at Lower Bradford Farmhouse Cornwall

Yes, dogs are allowed although not upstairs (there is a stair gate) and the garden is fully enclosed. Moorland animals are literally outside the gate though, so bring a lead.

ACCESSIBILITY

One bedroom is downstairs but all the bathrooms are upstairs, so the property is not really suitable for guests with disabilities.

THE MUDDY VERDICT

sheep graze on Bodmin Moor near Lower Bradford Farmhouse Cornwall

Solid and dependable, a moorland farmhouse is cool in summer and cosy in winter. We had a fantastic weekend together just four of us, and I could imagine returning here with a group of friends for a proper break too. Spend the days walking on the moor, we’d then enjoy the cabin and fire pit by evening, safe in the knowledge we’d be disturbing only the horses and sheep.

Good for: A great place for an inter-generational holiday, with enough space for everyone and plenty of outside areas for the children to roam wild. The little river and bridge is just perfect for hot summer days and the walking from the property is excellent. No need to choose between your coasts either, as you can reach them both easily.

Not for: Last minute decision makers might struggle here. There’s literally nothing here aside from a couple of houses and then miles of moorland, so you need to be organised, and either arrange in advance for deliveries, bring it with you, or be prepared to drive for all your nutritional needs – or a combination of all three. And obviously, being in land, there’s no beach access either, but the river is beautiful.

The damage: From £365 per night, plus AirBnB cleaning and services fees.

Lower Bradford Farmhouse, Bradford, Bodmin Moor, Cornwall, PL30 4LF

Review: Lower Bradford Farmhouse, Bodmin Moor, Cornwall

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