About Launceston

Relax and soak up the atmosphere of this quaint historic town with its surprising array of shops and businesses situated amongst narrow medieval streets that are dominated by an imposing Norman castle. Experience a town steeped in history, surrounded by rolling countryside, ideally situated to explore North Cornwall, its dramatic coastline and fascinating heritage.

Launceston offers specialty shops selling local produced foods through to unique and unusual gifts all situated within the towns narrow streets.The indoor Friday Market at St Mary's Hall offers more locally produced food, plants and an assortment of local crafts or visit the bustling Butter Market, held in the Town Square (on the site of the original Market) on the first Saturday of each month. Here you can browse the numerous stalls offering local crafts, gifts and locally produced food and drink.

Follow the town trail, winding past St Mary's Church, famed for its extravagantly carved exterior, visit the award winning Lawrence House Museum sited in a fine example of Georgian architecture. Up to the castle keep where you can enjoy panoramic views stretching far beyond Dartmoor and Bodmin Moor.

Alternatively sit on the castle green on a warm summers day and admire the intricate pattern of the townscape looking down to St. Thomas and Newport, then up to St. Stephens and its Church, high on a hill.  Enjoy a ride on the Launceston Steam Railway, through the beautiful Kensey Valley countryside to the hamlet of Newmills. At the end of a leisurely walk why not stop at one of Launceston's many cafés, or  for something more substantial there are restaurants serving a variety of cuisines both during the day and in the evening. 

Launceston Castle is the starting point for two further walks, The Two Castles Trails between Launceston and Okehampton Castle, and the Tamar Valley Discovery Trail between Launceston and Plymouth