Bodmin

Bodmin (Cornish: Bosvenegh) is a town in Cornwall, United Kingdom, with a population of 12,778 (2001 census). It was the county town of Cornwall, until the Crown Courts moved to Truro, which is also the administrative centre. It is in the North Cornwall district.

Bodmin lies in the centre of Cornwall, along the western edge of Bodmin Moor. St. Petroc founded a priory in Bodmin in the 6th century and gave the town its alternate name of Petrockstow. Bodmin is one of the oldest towns in the county, and the only Cornish settlement of size recorded in the Domesday Book of the late 11th century. In the 15th century the Norman church of St. Petroc was heavily rebuilt and stands as one of the largest churches in Cornwall. Also built at that time was an abbey, now mostly ruined. For most of Bodmin's history, the tin industry was a mainstay of the economy.

Bodmin Gaol, now a semi-ruin, was built in the late 18th century, and was the first British prison to hold prisoners in separate cells (though often up to 10 at a time) rather than communally. Also, during World War I the prison held some of Britain's priceless national treasures including the Domesday Book and the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom.

Other buildings of interest include the former Shire Hall, now a tourist information centre, and the Regimental Barracks of the now defunct Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, now a regimental museum. It includes the history of the regiment from 1702, plus a military library. The original barracks make the regimental museum and it was founded in 1925. There is a fine collection of small arms and machine guns, plus maps, uniforms and paintings on display.

In 1966 the "Finn VC Estate" was named in honour of Victoria cross winner James Henry Finn who once lived in the Town.