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

Cottages

The Thatch Cottage, sleeps 4, Launceston (11 km)

Sundowners, sleeps 4-6, Calstock (16 km)

Former Cider Press, sleeps 2, Callington (12 km)

Byre, sleeps 5-6, Camelford (20 km)

Smithy Cottage, sleeps 2, Launceston (15 km)

Hilltop, sleeps 2, Tintagel (20 km)

Dairy Cottage, sleeps 4, Bodmin Moor (11 km)

Captains Ground, sleeps 4, Bodmin Moor (11 km)

The Stables, sleeps 2, Callington (12 km)

Rivendell Cottage, sleeps 3, Bodmin Moor (11 km)

The Dairy, sleeps 2, Callington (12 km)

The Hayloft, sleeps 4, Callington (12 km)

Manor Barn E3745, sleeps 2, Saltash (12 km)

Lower Trethinna Cottage, sleeps 4, Launceston (11 km)

The Shippon, sleeps 10, Callington (12 km)

Home Park Cottage, sleeps 2, Camelford (20 km)

Golf holidays

Bowood Park (20 km)

Trethorne Golf Club (11 km)

Holiday Parks

Juliots Maple 8, sleeps 8 (20 km)

Manor Combe Premier 6, sleeps 6 (12 km)

Juliots Maple 6, sleeps 6 (20 km)

Tamar Standard, sleeps 8 (12 km)

Chestnut Premier, sleeps 2 (11 km)

Juliots Beech 6, sleeps 6 (20 km)

Juliots Yew Cottage, sleeps 6 (20 km)

Juliots Azalea, sleeps 6 (20 km)

Valley Lodge 4 Premier, sleeps 10 (12 km)

Manor Combe Premier, sleeps 8 (12 km)

Dartmoor VIP, sleeps 8 (12 km)

St Annes Premier, sleeps 6 (12 km)

Juliots Jasmine, sleeps 4 (20 km)

Valley Lodge 3 Premier, sleeps 8 (12 km)

Avallon Lodge WF, sleeps 4 (11 km)

Juliots Camellia VIP, sleeps 6 (20 km)

Juliots Camellia, sleeps 6 (20 km)

Valley Lodge 3 Standard, sleeps 8 (12 km)

Valley Lodge 3 VIP, sleeps 8 (12 km)

Manor Combe Standard, sleeps 8 (12 km)

Avallon Lodge 5, sleeps 5 (11 km)

Juliots Beech 8, sleeps 8 (20 km)

Dartmoor Premier, sleeps 8 (12 km)

Tamar Premier, sleeps 8 (12 km)

Valley Lodge 4 VIP, sleeps 10 (12 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)

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.

Local attractions

Pubs

The Kings Head (11 km)

Darlington Hotel (20 km)

White Horse Inn (11 km)

The Coachmakers Arms (15 km)

The Boot Inn (19 km)

Launceston, Cornwall should not be confused with the city of the same name in the north of Tasmania, Australia.