Jamaica Inn, Cornwall

...where you will find the Jamaica Inn.


~HISTORY~

Jamaica Inn is Georgian slate hung building with cobbled courtyard. It was built in 1750, as a coaching inn where tired travellers crossing the dangerous moors between Launceston and Bodmin would stay for a welcome rest.

Not all the travellers were respectable travellers though, as the Inn was often used to hide away the contraband that had been ...
...as being steeped in history Jamaica Inn is reputed to be home to a number of ghosts, you may have seen it featured on TV's 'Most Haunted!' programme.

On moonlit nights people have alleged to have heard the sound of horses' hooves and the metal rims of wheels turning on the rough cobbles of the courtyard, but could see nothing.

The Jamaica Inn is rumoured to have several ghosts, including that of Demon Davey, the vicar ... more

Think of Cornwall and you think of beaches and surfing, but away from the coastal beauty of Cornwall there is another beautiful area - vastly different from the beaches and coves- Bodmin Moor.

Bodmin Moor is a Cornish Area of Outstanding Natural The moor offers incredible views from craggy hills, vast areas of bracken, heather and yellow gorse. This whole area is unspoilt with clear streams tumbling over stones and boulders as they pass grazing horses and sheep

Near to the centre of the moor, and now bypassed by the busy A30 is the tiny hamlet of Bolventor where you will find the Jamaica Inn.

~HISTORY~

Jamaica Inn is Georgian slate hung building with cobbled courtyard. It was built in 1750, as a coaching inn where tired travellers crossing the dangerous moors between Launceston and Bodmin would stay for a welcome rest.

Not all the travellers were respectable travellers though, as the Inn was often used to hide away the contraband that had been smuggled ashore to the Cornish coast. In fact it is thought that the Inn may have got its name because the amount of trade it did in the rum that made it's unofficial way there.

In 1778 the Inn had a coach house, stables and a tack room added in a large extension.

In the early 1900s the Inn was used as a temperance house.
The inn was owned for a time by the novelist Alistair McLean.

Perhaps the most famous feature of the inn is that it was the setting for the novel 'Jamaica Inn' by Daphne du Maurier, who spent just one night there in 1930, after getting lost on the moors.
The atmosphere, history and legends that surrounded the inn inspired her work.

Look for the plaque on the floor informing you of some of the inn's colourful past.

~THE GHOSTS~

As well as being steeped in history Jamaica Inn is reputed to be home to a number of ghosts, you may have seen it featured on TV's 'Most Haunted!' programme.

On moonlit nights people have alleged to have heard the sound of horses' hooves and the metal rims of wheels turning on the rough cobbles of the courtyard, but could see nothing.

The Jamaica Inn is rumoured to have several ghosts, including that of Demon Davey, the vicar of the parish of Altarnun who lived in the old schoolhouse opposite the inn, as well as that of a local man who was summoned outside by a smuggler he'd betrayed for his own financial gain. The man apparently left his half-finished ale on the bar, only to be shot with a pistol out in the courtyard. He now, seemingly, regularly appears at the bar to "finish" his ale!!
In 1911 there was much interest and press coverage about a strange man who had been seen by many people, sitting on the wall outside the Inn. He neither spoke nor moved nor acknowledged a greeting but it is said that
His appearance was uncannily like the murdered man.
Could this be the dead man's ghost?

For years there have been many stories of hauntings at Jamaica Inn and recently the Ghost Society has made investigations and compiled a report based on their findings. The main areas of interest to the investigation were, The Smuggler's Bar, The Stable Bar, the restaurant and upstairs in Bedroom Four.

Who can explain the footsteps heard pacing up and down the corridors in the dead of night?

Who is the anguished young woman and baby and what is there story?

Who is the strange man in a tricorne hat and cloak who appears and then walks through solid doors?

On my visit to Jamaica Inn I must say that the only spirit I saw was in the optics in the bar, and I wonder if it is perhaps too much off this type of spirit that has led the above mentioned tales!!!

The owners of Jamaica Inn have cashed in on these tales of spooky goings on by holding 'Paranormal Investigation Nights'.
The 2009 dates for these tours are
30th October
21st November
18th December

For the, not insignificant, cost of £70.00 per person guests are given the opportunity to join a team led by two paranormal investigators.
The pricey ghost tour will investigate the main haunted bedrooms, the courtyard, the museum and bar areas. The price includes a meal before the investigation starts.

Not for me, I can think of far better ways of spending £70!!

~THE MUSEUM~

The Smugglers Museum
Demon Davey, the vicar of Altarnun is your virtual host telling the story of Jamaica Inn with a theatrical presentation about Du Maurier's novel Jamaica Inn and the smuggling legends of the area, all done with the aid of a display of tableaux, light and sound.

While this is a great idea and in theory really good, on my visit I found that the sheer number of visitors hindered your viewing of the exhibition and stopped you hearing all the details with each display.

After the tableaux (which includes the story of Du Maurier's 'Jamaica Inn') there is a fascinating display of smuggling memorabilia dating from today to centuries past.
This display is actually very interesting and worth the entrance to the museum on its own.

The Daphne du Maurier Room
The reason for my visit to Jamaica Inn was because of its association with Ms Du Maurier - one of my favourite writers so I was very interested in visiting this display.
It was here that as a young author she was inspired to write her novel,, the local rector is supposed to have entertained her with ghost stories and tales of smuggling; he would later become the inspiration for the character of the Vicar of Altarnun

The room is full of memorabilia from the author. The main feature of the room is her Sheraton writing desk on top of which is her typewriter and a packet of du Maurier cigarettes named after her father, and a dish of Glacier Mints which were Ms Du Maurier's favourite sweets.

I found this room very interesting, there were lots of manuscripts, letters etc to read.

Opening times:

Low season 11am to 4pm
Mid season 10am to 5pm
High season 10am to 6pm

Museum prices:

Adult: £3.95
OAP/ Child: £3.45
Family saver ticket (based on 2 Adults / 2 Children: £9.95
Single family saver ticket (based on 1 Adult / 2 Children: 8.95

~EATING AT JAMAICA INN~

From breakfast until late evening, you can enjoy home cooked food for all the family in the lovely surroundings of the inn, with its beamed ceilings, roaring log fires and real ale.
Hot and cold food - much with a Cornish theme like delicious Cornish Pasties to Cornish Cream Teas - is available from the Pedlars Bar - a selfservice restaurant.
The food and service was very good in this restaurant despite the fact that it was very busy.

The Smugglers Bar offers a selection of bar snacks and cold food or you can choose from a range of hot meals including steak, chicken, fish and vegetarian options

There is also an a la carte restaurant - The Du Maurier Restaurant ( beware though in high season you will need to book), this serves some wonderful steaks and local fish dishes.

Meals are served 12 noon until 9.00 pm seven days a week, and they are pen for breakfast and mid-morning snacks from 9.00 am until 11:00 .am throughout the year.
Outside there is a lovely children's play area and Pirates ship.

~THE HOTEL~

If you are brave enough to spend the night in such a haunted place there are 17 rooms available, some with four poster beds.
The rooms are all very old and you can see how imaginations could run wild with the creaky floorboards!!
The price for bed and breakfast at the hotel ranges from £65.00 to £100.00
Baby up to 3 years £10.00
Child 3 - 11 years £17.00
Bunk bedded room per child £17.00

~CONCLUSION~
The Jamaica Inn is an inteeresting place to visit, unfortunatly I feel that they have gone a little too far down the commercial path; I'm not sure what Daphne du Maurier would make of it all !!!!

~CONTACT INFORMATION~
Jamaica Inn
Bolventor
LAUNCESTON
Cornwall
PL15 7TS
Tel: 01566 86250
Fax: 01566 86177
Email: enquiry@jamaicainn.co.uk
Or visit
Wedsite: www.jamaicainn.co.uk

Summary: A place of charm, character and imagination

 

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