OUR tour of exploration today takes us up on to Bodmin Moor as the Voice continues its serialisation of the travel book, Cornwall Favourites For One And All!: A Quick Guide To Good Places To Visit Across The County.

Voice journalist Andrew Townsend, the author of the book, says: “We have been all around the coast of Cornwall taking in invigorating headlands and quiet creeks and have also followed the inland boundary with Devon along the wonderful Tamar Valley.

“Now we are on the biggest of the granite uplands that form the spine of the county.”

Minions, on Bodmin Moor, is the highest village in Cornwall and was developed in the 19th century to provide homes for workers involved in mining and quarrying.

An old engine house from the mining era now operates as the Minions Heritage Centre.

Today, Minions is best known for the Hurlers, stone circles that date from the Bronze Age. Another ancient relic in the district is the Trethevy Quoit, near Darite.

Minions also has an association with the Minions films, having been used in publicity for the Hollywood franchise.

The village of Minions has an association with the Minions films. (Picture: Andrew Townsend)
The village of Minions has an association with the Minions films. (Picture: Andrew Townsend) (Picture: Andrew Townsend)

The Cheesewring, a natural formation of balancing rocks, is sited on Stowes Hill, near Minions. The formation was given its name because it looked like an old implement used in cheesemaking. There are far-reaching views from the Cheesewring.

Next time we will be exploring more of Bodmin Moor, including the highest point on the moor, and, indeed, in Cornwall – Brown Willy which rises to around 1,378ft (420m).

Our lovely tour around the county, taking in well-known spots but also lesser-known locations, offers something for everyone, from brilliant beaches, rugged moorland, storm-beaten cliffs and scenic rivers to welcoming towns, pretty villages, mining heritage sites and visitor attractions.

• Andrew Townsend is a journalist and writer who has spent his career working in Cornwall and the wider South West. More details of Cornwall Favourites For One And All!: A Quick Guide To Good Places To Visit Across The County, which is also available as an ebook, can be found via this link to Andrew’s author page on Amazon - bit.ly/AndrewTownsendAuthor