Launceston - Gateway to Cornwall

Launceston, gateway to Cornwall is a former capital of Cornwall. Pronounced as Lanson or Launson by the Cornish, the name of the town originates in the Celtic period - known as Lanstephan - meaning 'Church (lands) of St Stephen'. It became Dunheved under the Saxons. The town is overlooked by its Norman castle - built by Brian of Brittany in the 11th Century and is the only walled town in Cornwall.

The town now lies atop the A30 trunk road and has pivotal connections north towards Bude, west towards Bodmin and Wadebridge and south towards Liskeard and south-east Cornwall. The rugged north coast and gentler south coast of Cornwall are within easy reach as are the main towns of Devon to the east. Launceston was formerly the site of the Royal Mint, established by Henry III in the 13th century.

Launceston today has a unique charm and is an excellent introduction to Cornwall for the first time visitor. It is a busy Market Town of just over 7000 people and offers a number of shopping opportunities in the square. Its most famous son would be Charles Causley, the poet (1917-2003).

Some may ask why such a strategically placed town does not have a railway. The answer is that it did have one from 1865 to 1962 with the main line now running through Plymouth to Liskeard. There is however a small steam railway in the town as a visitor attraction.

Accommodation

B & Bs

Primrose Cottage (5 km)

Trevadlock Farm (9 km)

Cadson Manor Farm (17 km)

Old Solomon's Farm (14 km)

Hornacott (6 km)

Lower House (15 km)

Middle Tremollet (9 km)

Te Chy (15 km)

Bangor's House (19 km)

Caravans and Camping

West Prince Farm, Callington (15 km)

Little Wenfork Camping, Launceston (7 km)

Chapmanswell Caravan Park, Launceston (9 km)

Belle Tents, Camelford (18 km)

Cottages

The Thatch Cottage, Launceston (11 km)

Sundowners, Calstock (16 km)

Former Cider Press, Callington (12 km)

Byre, Camelford (20 km)

Smithy Cottage, Launceston (15 km)

Haybarn, Liskeard (15 km)

The Coach House , Launceston (7 km)

The Old Granary, Launceston (5 km)

Demelza, Launceston (2 km)

Honeysuckle Lodge, Launceston (11 km)

Oaklee Barn, Liskeard (20 km)

Lower Hopworthy Cottage, Bude (18 km)

Meadow Barn, Bude (17 km)

Treforda Cottage, Bude (17 km)

Pump Room, Launceston (4 km)

Toad Hall, Tavistock (17 km)

The Old Granary, Okehampton (10 km)

Badger Cottage, Tavistock (14 km)

Little Fern, Camelford (20 km)

The Snug, Tavistock (20 km)

Clearbrook Cottage, Tavistock (20 km)

Passion Flower Cottage, Tavistock (10 km)

Poachers Lodge, Holsworthy (13 km)

The Old Parlour, Holsworthy (13 km)

The Tall Barn, Holsworthy (13 km)

Stable Cottage, Holsworthy (13 km)

Fishermans Cottage, Holsworthy (13 km)

Miners Dry, Tavistock (15 km)

Wheelwright Cottage, Holsworthy (18 km)

Coachman's, Liskeard (18 km)

Hayloft, Liskeard (18 km)

Stable, Liskeard (18 km)

The Dairy, Callington (13 km)

Corbets Tey, Liskeard (19 km)

The Hayloft, Callington (13 km)

Woodpecker, Launceston (12 km)

Kingfisher, Launceston (12 km)

The Stables, Callington (13 km)

Rivendell Cottage, Launceston (12 km)

Dairy Cottage, Bodmin (16 km)

The Shippon, Callington (11 km)

Captains Ground, Launceston (11 km)

Heron, Liskeard (18 km)

Lower Trethinna Cottage, Launceston (9 km)

Natalie Jane, Liskeard (18 km)

Lakeview, Liskeard (18 km)

Riverview, Liskeard (18 km)

Riverbank, Liskeard (18 km)

Manoach, Liskeard (15 km)

Trevallen, Launceston (6 km)

Manor Barn, Callington (11 km)

Wisteria Cottage, Liskeard (17 km)

Pond Cottage, Tavistock (20 km)

Stowford Linhay, Holsworthy (10 km)

The Granary, Tavistock (15 km)

Barnestock, Liskeard (19 km)

The Old Stables, Tavistock (20 km)

Ivybank, Launceston (7 km)

Meadow Lea, Liskeard (16 km)

Owl Barn, Callington (11 km)

Swallow's Nest, Launceston (13 km)

Barn Owl Cottage, Launceston (13 km)

Miller's Rest, Bude (19 km)

Number 27, Okehampton (17 km)

Kirkside Barn, Dartmoor (18 km)

Holmdene, Barnstaple (12 km)

Primrose Cottage, Launceston (10 km)

Rosebank Cottage, Launceston (10 km)

Swallows Nest, Okehampton (14 km)

Dovecote, Okehampton (14 km)

Woodcock, Okehampton (14 km)

Danescombe Mine, Calstock (18 km)

Dozmary Pool Barn, Bodmin (17 km)

Littleworth Barn, Bodmin (16 km)

The Old School, Launceston (4 km)

Greenscombe House, Callington (13 km)

Lornace Cottage, Calstock (19 km)

Holiday Parks

Redwood Lodge, Bude (11 km)

St Annes Premier, Callington (16 km)

Valley Lodge 3 Premier, Callington (16 km)

Valley Lodge 4 Premier, Callington (16 km)

Chestnut Premier, Launceston (8 km)

Valley Lodge 3 VIP, Callington (16 km)

Dartmoor Premier, Callington (16 km)

Manor Combe Standard, Callington (16 km)

Nordic Lodge, Bude (11 km)

Tamar Premier, Callington (16 km)

Manor Combe Premier, Callington (16 km)

Valley Lodge 3 Standard Plus, Callington (16 km)

Woodlands Cottage, Bude (11 km)

Ashwater Lodge, Bude (11 km)

Avallon Lodge, Launceston (8 km)

Tamar Standard Plus, Callington (16 km)

Dartmoor Premier Plus, Callington (16 km)

Valley Lodge 4 VIP, Callington (16 km)

Woodovis Cottage, Tavistock (14 km)

Finch, North Devon (14 km)

Deluxe Finch, Tavistock (14 km)

Finch 4, Tavistock (14 km)

Robin, Tavistock (14 km)

Super Finch, Tavistock (14 km)

Local hotels

Juliots Well Cottages and Lodges (20 km)

Trethorne Golf Club (11 km)

Lanteglos Country House Hotel (20 km)

Juliots Well Holiday Park (20 km)

Bowood Park Hotel (20 km)

Liskeard Premier Inn (16 km)

Eagle House Hotel (0 km)

There are excellent facilities in Launceston including a sports centre, two golf courses, 2 bowls clubs, football, rugby and cricket teams as well as the normal hotels and pubs. It is possible to fish for salmon and trout too.