Jamaica Inn, Cornwall


The Jamaica Inn is situated in the middle of Bodmin Moor, Cornwall. It can be spotted and accessed from the A30 which is the main road passing through the county. The usually bleak Moor sets the perfect scene for the famous Inn, which is bursting with history and atmosphere. The Inn is well known for being one of the most haunted buildings in the UK with its many tales of ghosts and smugglers from years gone by. Jamaica Inn was built in 1750 as an Inn for travellers. Due to the isolated location of the Inn, in the middle of the Moor, it was an attractive stopping point for travellers and was a great place for smugglers to hide anything illegal. It is thought that Jamaica Inn got its name from smugglers who loved to store and hide rum there. Years and years of history fill the Inn with character and visitors love to soak up the atmosphere and hear about its past tales.


Many tourists flock to the Inn each year to visit the location of Daphne Du Maurier's classic novel, Jamaica Inn. I first read the novel after visiting the Inn and it definitely put a new perspective on it for me and fuelled my mind with ideas and a new interest in the Inn. When I read the book, I could almost see it playing out at the Inn and I could imagine the bleak Moor which made the book a lot more enjoyable and realistic. I definitely recommend reading the book to get an idea of how life possibly could have been at the Inn.


I have never stayed overnight at Jamaica Inn, mainly because I daren't. I imagine that I would get no sleep whatsoever staying in one of its allegedly haunted rooms. There are plenty of en-suite rooms available though for the braver visitors. There is a museum at the Inn where you can learn everything you need to know about the history of the place, Daphne Du Maurier and smuggling. There is an impressive collection of smugglers artefacts to be seen, some of which date back 300 years. The museum is incredibly interesting and educational; anybody interested in the Inn would definitely enjoy browsing around here. The museum is not very big but it sure has a lot packed into it but unfortunately it isn't free to enter. As the Inn lies only a few minutes off the A30 it is within great reach and is the perfect place to stop for a drink or something to eat. The Inn serves drinks, meals and snacks in its bars and it is a pleasant place to dine. I have stopped at the Inn a few times for food and I would say that the quality is pleasing but not outstanding. The food is quite expensive and from what I remember, the menu is very traditional. Jamaica Inn caters for all kinds of celebrations and has function rooms to hire for weddings, christenings, parties and conferences. There is a lovely gift shop at the Inn also where you can buy all sorts of memorabilia to remember your visit such as; playing cards, pencils, books etc. There is a good variety of treats available to buy. Special events are held at the Inn such as paranormal investigations which sound fantastic but terrifying.


I have visited the Inn many times. It became a tradition when I was younger to stop at the Inn for a quick drink and nosey around every time we ever drove past it. When I was a kid, it was exciting to stop at the Inn then when I got a little bit older and I found out more information about it I used to dread stopping as I was freaked out by how haunted it appeared. When I was about 17 years old, I read the novel by Daphne Du Maurier and I was eager to visit Jamaica Inn again with fresh eyes. Ever since then I have always been interested in the Inn and have enjoyed spending time there. The atmosphere of the Inn is quite special, I always feel curious wandering around there, as if I am going to see something or experience something spooky. I would definitely recommend Jamaica Inn as a great place to visit. I do not think the Inn is suitable for family stays but there is a play area for children. The Inn is definitely thought provoking and you can really get lost in the history of it. When you visit the Inn remember that nothing is better than Jamaica Inn itself; the expensive prices reflect its reputation. I definitely would not recommend going for just the food or the museum, the best thing about the Inn is the Inn itself and all that has happened there over the years. I have always experienced very good customer service at the Inn, in the bar, shop and museum. The Inn is very old and this is obvious when you first enter the building as there is a certain smell, which could only be found in a very old pub.


Jamaica Inn is open all year round to dine and stay at and the museum is open all year except January.
You are looking at a minimum of £100 per night for a double room at the Inn.
There is a small charge to enter the museum also.


Address: Jamaica Inn, Bolventor, Launceston, Cornwall, PL15 7TS
Telephone: 01566 86250
Website: www.jamaicainn.co.uk


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