Visitor information

From adventure and exercise to peaceful strolls and stunning scenery, share moments of relaxation and exertion alike at Cardinham Woods

The perfect location to recharge and relax, Cardinham Woods is found in central Cornwall and has everything you could want from an outdoor woodland adventure. The diverse woodland is full of secret glades, allowing you to take a step back from the hustle and bustle of life into a haven of natural beauty.

Stream-side paths, fresh air and stunning viewpoints make Cardinham Woods a wonderful spot for all. If you’re a thrill seeker searching for your next adrenaline rush, our cycling trails are not to be missed.

At a glance

Making a long drive through Cornwall? Why not break your journey at Cardinham Woods, only 5 minutes from the A30?
09/06/2023 09:51
Help us prevent wildfire. Never light a BBQ, fire, or camp stove in the forest.
28/06/2023 11:00
Tramper user and walker on a forest road

Explore Cardinham Woods with an off-road mobility vehicle

Visitors with limited mobility (short or long-term, for any reason) can hire our Tramper through the Countryside Mobility Scheme. You do not have to be registered disabled to hire a Tramper. The Tramper is an off-road mobility scooter, which is easy to use and able to tackle a range of surfaces and gradients come rain or shine.

Food and drink

Mountain bike riders site at a picnic bench in front of a stone cottage

Woods Cafe

Refuel at beautiful Woods Cafe, serving a range of freshly prepared light bites and drinks every day.

Cardinham is famed for its walking trails, from easy routes to longer walks that include steep valley climbs and fantastic views. With four way-marked routes and miles of tracks to explore, Cardinham Woods offers a great day out.

For visitors with reduced mobility (short or long-term, for any reason), we have a Tramper off-road scooter for hire that can access the Lady Vale Walk, Callywith Wood Walk, and Lidcutt Loop.

Get ready to join Zog on his latest forest adventure with a brand-new family activity trail and free app!

How does it work?

1. Download the new ‘Zog: A Forest Adventure’ app before you visit

Point the brand new app at special markers along the trail and access all sorts of exciting challenges as you go.

Thanks to amazing augmented reality technology, you’ll be able to collect golden stars, just like Zog and have the chance to take a photo with everyone’s favourite dragon at the end of the trail!

Capture the fun by saving videos and photos as you complete the bonus activities!

Get it on Google Play     Get it on the App Store

2. Get your claws on a Zog trail activity pack 

Grab the Zog trail activity pack for £4 from the Ranger's Hut.

Inside you’ll find: 

kraft bag to colour in. 

dragon wings to decorate and wear. 

Zog glasses. 

stickers. 

trail leaflet. 

pencil and crayon. 

3. Follow the trail

Collect golden stars as your little dragons learn how they can help care for the forest, and how the forests can care for them.  

The Zog Trail is getting a festive twist!

Pick up your Zog Christmas clue leaflet at the Ranger's Hut for just £1.50 (or free if buying a Zog Trail pack) and go in search of festive clues along the Zog Trail. Once you've cracked Zog’s Christmas code, return your clue leaflet to pick up your prize, a special Zog Christmas decoration.

Share your Zog fun using the #ZogTrail hashtag.

Zog © 2010 & TM Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler. Licensed by Magic Light Pictures Ltd.

Badger Forest School run a range of informal sessions at Cardinham Woods, designed to generate curiosity, build independence and develop a love for nature.

Come along to Cardinham Woods for:

Badger Cubs, designed for parents and children up to five. Little Explorers, for families to attend together. Woodland Skills, a drop-off session for home-educated children. Badger babes for parents and babies under two. Dangerous Dads, a monthly session for dads and male carers and their children. Badger Holiday Club, during the school holidays.

More information and booking

Visit the Badger Forest School website via the button below for detailed information about these sessions and instructions on how to book. 

Cardinham Woods offers a fantastic opportunity for off-road cycling for anyone with basic off-road cycling skills.

A female cyclist sitting on her bike and smiling over her shoulder with a map board in the background

Trail maps at Cardinham Woods

Plan your visit to Cardinham Woods with our free map downloads.

Nearby forests

Rough tor

Roughtor (sometimes known as Rough Tor) boasts a wealth of natural beauty. Its peaks provide a manageable and enjoyable 3-4 mile walk complete with stunning views.

The keen eye will spot not only stunning views, but also Iron Age remains, Bronze Age hut circles and even a Neolithic tor enclosure. Perfect for explorers who like to stumble across remnants of history!

Davidstow Woods

Located by Davidstow airfield and north of Bodmin Moor, Davidstow Woods is a coniferous forest perfectly placed for a walk to Crowdy reservoir or Showery Tor.

Pack a lunch and take in the historic views across the moors.

Generic woodland

Located approximately two miles north of Truro, Idless Woods is a stunning woodland with a diverse range of wildlife. 

Shaded walking trail in Stoke Woods, Exeter

Once part of the area’s industrial past, this diverse woodland now supports a wide variety of plant and animal life including some of the UK’s rarest butterfly species. Come and see what you can spot! 

 

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