Dominated by the remains of an 11th-century castle, Launceston lies along the River Tamar on the border between Cornwall and Devon. It is notable for being home to the earliest known Cornish mint, with only one coin remaining today. Launceston gave its name to the second-largest settlement in Tasmania, which also lies on the banks of the Tamar River.
Things to do in Launceston
Stroll through the centre of Launceston to admire the Launceston Town Hall, a Gothic-style building that is now Grade II listed. A local history museum occupies Lawrence House, which was built in 1753 in a Georgian style. Spanning the River Tamar is the granite-built New Bridge, which dates back to the early 16th century.
Elevated views across the surrounding countryside can be enjoyed from Launceston Castle, where its round tower is preserved by English Heritage. It was captured by rebels during the 16th-century Prayer Book Rebellion before providing a garrison for Royalists during the English Civil War. While exploring the castle’s scenic grounds, you can learn about its most famous prisoner, the founder of the Quakers, George Fox.
Travelling with kids? Don’t miss Trethorne Leisure Park, a family-friendly destination with ten-pin bowling, bumper cars and an enormous jumping pillow. You can challenge your family and friends to a game of mini-golf, ride a paddle boat around the small lake or let loose in the indoor fun park. Also on-site is a petting zoo that offers pony rides.
Getting around Launceston
Launceston is around 40 minutes’ drive from Plymouth and an hour from Exeter Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe. Regular buses connect to Launceston and the town centre is compact enough to explore on foot.