Discover Launceston

Launceston lies just over the border into Cornwall and close to the A30. Bus services run to Plymouth, Exeter, Bude and Liskeard, as well as to numerous surrounding villages. As routes can change, check your connection before travelling. When choosing where to stay, the town offers several clearly distinct themes: medieval buildings, a ride on a narrow-gauge railway, and walks through the town or along the riverbank.

Castle and medieval streets

Launceston Castle is Cornwall’s most significant medieval fortress. Visitors can climb the tower and enjoy views over the town and surrounding countryside. The castle’s sights also include a rare whale vertebra. If you would like to explore the town on foot, a town walking guide available at the VIC leads through the maze of medieval streets. This offers a different focus from the view from the castle tower: here, the town’s streets are the main attraction.

The first eastbound stage of the Two Castles Trail begins at Launceston Castle. Trail conditions can vary; take this into account when planning. The trail and the town walking guide offer different ways to explore Launceston on foot: the former is part of a longer route, while the guide leads through the town’s medieval streets.

Narrow-gauge railway and riverside walk

The Launceston Steam Railway offers 2½-mile rides on a narrow-gauge railway through the unspoilt countryside of Cornwall’s Kensey Valley. Its stations are in Launceston and Newmills. From Launceston station, visitors can take the train to Newmills station, where they can go for a walk along the riverbank. This makes a ride through the valley and a walk by the water two distinct parts of the outing.

The route through the Kensey Valley and the stations in Launceston and Newmills give your visit a clear framework. If you are more interested in a guided introduction to the town, the town walking guide offers one; if you want to experience the Kensey Valley countryside, you can follow the railway ride described here.

Churches, priory and Charles Causley

The Church of St Mary Magdalene is distinguished by its elaborate carved decoration on the exterior. Its furnishings also include an exceptionally fine 16th-century octagonal pulpit made of painted and carved oak. The exterior ornament and the pulpit showcase different aspects of ecclesiastical architecture.

Launceston Priory was founded in 1127 as a house of Augustinian canons. At the priory, visitors can see surviving walls, carved stones and the burial place of some of the priors. These traces give the site its own historical significance, alongside the church’s architecture.

Cyprus Well was Charles Causley’s home for 50 years. A private visit can be arranged by email, provided no guest is staying there and a volunteer guide is available. These conditions are important for your planning: a visit depends on both the accommodation situation and the availability of a guide.

Market and regional setting

The covered Friday market at St Mary’s Hall sells locally produced food. If you would like to plan a visit to the market, check before travelling whether it is currently taking place. This will help you distinguish this recurring market event from the town’s permanently described sights.

For a view beyond Launceston, the Tamar Valley National Landscape offers a distinct regional perspective. It straddles the border between Cornwall and Devon and covers around 75 square miles of the lower River Tamar below Launceston. This description covers a landscape that extends beyond the town. Together with its location close to the A30 and the bus services mentioned above, it helps you put Launceston in context as a destination and choose the attractions that interest you during your stay.

Discover more destinations: Saint Cleer, Antony, Carbis Bay, Truro, Colan, Porthleven, St Wenn, Trevone.

For the broader travel overview: Cornwall.