iKnow Cornwall
All East Cornwall Accommodation
Launceston Castle, East Cornwall. One a Power Centre within Cornwall
The Cornish Poet Charles Causley - Spent most of his life in Launceston
Golitha Falls, Bodmin Moor - Woodland Family Walks
The Hurlers, Ancient Standing Stones on Bodmin Moor
The Cheesewring - granite rock formations on Bodmin Moor, Cornwall
Beautiful Looe Harbour
Flying High on Looe Beach
Launceston Castle GatesTourist Information Launceston Looe Bodmin Moor East Cornwall
East Cornwall is an altogether gentle affair of ancient Cornish history, idyllic market towns, Cornish Mining history, moorland and prehistoric remains on Bodmin Moor and towards the coast stunning historic fishing villages such as the ever popular Looe and nearby Polperro.
South East Cornwall Tourist Board, Caradon District Council, Luxstowe House, Liskeard, Cornwall. PL14 3DZ. Tel: 01579 341 032.
Launceston Cornwall History
Ancient market town Laucestron was once the capital of old Cornwall, the Royal Mint was located here, and the town is marked by it's historic roots. Once called Duneved, meaning summit of the hill, Launceston is indeed a hilly town with character and charm, with it's castle keep high on a mount. The centrepiece is Launceston Castle, parts of which date back to the 11th century. History is everywhere - duing the Napoleonic Wars Launceston was a designated parole town and french prisoners of war were billeted here. View fascinating arts and relics made by prisoners at the superb Lawrence House Museum. It's true what they say, Launceston is a friendly town - Lanson folk always give a warm welcome to visitors.
As well as visiting the castle take time to do the town trail, taking in numerous historic churches, pubs and architecture, as well as a superb selection of arts and crafts shops, restaurants and tea rooms. Launcestron is often referred to as the gateway to Cornwall, and it serves as an excellent base for easy access into both Bodmin Moor and Devon's Dartmoor National Park. Launceston retains it's ancient market roots, and still holds regular farmers markets. Local produce and the environmental is important here - you get a sense of it taking the Launceston town trail as you pass numerous family run bakery shops, butchers and bookshops - Warrens the butchers is renowned and you can find their steaks on many a fine menu in pubs, inns and restaurants in Launceston and it's surrounding villages. A sense of community is strong here and Lanson folk are the friendliest in Cornwall!
Bodmin & Bodmin Moor
Bodmin on the southern edge of Bodmin Moor, just off the A30 makes the perfect base for exploring not just Bodmin, but also cycling on the Camel Trail, visits to Wadebridge and the John Betjemin Centre, and it's only a 20 minute drive from the Eden Project and the South Cornwall Coast. Bodmin itself is a Cornish town with an interesting history, and there are plenty of attractions within the town to keep you busy, including the fascinating Bodmin Jail built in 1779, Shire Hall (Assizes) and it's reinactment of a court case and St Petroc's Church containing a 12th century casket which is thought to hold the remains of the saint.
Bodmin Moor's small size as compared to Devon's Dartmoor National Park makes it more manageable somehow, allowing you to really get to grips with the variety of landscapes, prehistoric sites, copper mining heritage, pretty villages and woodland walks. One of the most popular attractions on Bodmin Moor, made famous by Daphne du Maurier's 1930s novel of the same name - is Jamaica Inn. Its conveniently situated just off the A30 too, and near Colliford Lake Leisure Park which is a good one for the tots!
For excellent coverage of the geological history and prehistoric stone circles and standing stones on Bodmin Moor check the superb Bodmin Moor Pages weblink right. Visit the highest village in Cornwall - Minions with nearby 3 stone circles, the Hurlers. Note the mining remains and take a walk upto the Cheese Ring. The highest Tors on Bodmin include Rough Tor at 1,311 feet and Brown Willy at 1,375 feet. Both are easily walked to from Camelford or Bolventor near Jamaica Inn (about 3 miles from Brown Willy). Alternatively walk 1 mile south of Jamaica Inn to Dozmary Pool, supposed resting place for the Lady of the Lake and Arthur's swod Excalibur! Golitha Falls to the south of Bodmin is one of the most beautiful woodland walks in the moors, and for CAMRA real ale pub of the year head for delightful Blisland to the west of Bodmin Moor.
Looe Holidays
Beautiful Looe in South East Cornwall is extremely popular with holiday makers, especially families on a budget. It's all here - a holiday seaside feel, a stunning fishing harbour, numerous arts and crafts shops, tea rooms, pubs, Looe hotels and cottages, opportunities for scuba diving and fishing or pleasure boat trips (particularly out to off shore Looe Island), sailing on Looe River and glorious coastal walking and beaches not just around Looe but in the surrounding picture postcard villages of Polperro. Looe caters for families well, with a choice of Looe Caravan Parks, great beaches and a choice of local museums and attractions - easily missed if you don't know the area, Looe is a pleasant surprise and more!
Looe Tourist Information Centre, The Guildhall, Fore Street, East Looe, Cornwall. PL13 1AA. Tel: 01503 262 072. Looe is great for parking, with a mammoth car park provided on the West Quay side of Looe within easy walking distance of the harbour and East Looe Beach - just follow the parking signs as you reach Looe.
Saltash & Isambard Brunel Bridge
Saltash is on the up and up in terms of celebrating and marking it's own history. With the opening of the little Saltash Local History Museum with shop and new exhibition on Brunel - situated on Lower Fore Street and plans afoot to convert the derelict railway station into a local history and information centre, it's now easy to get information on the town's historic buildings and sites, including the one time cottage of Sir Francis Drake's wife Mary Newman and of course the structural marvel - the Royal Albert Bridge.
Liskeard
Liskeard on the southern edge of Bodmin doesn't generally feature much in tourism guides - it's a shame as this old stannary town makes an excellent attractive base for exploring both Bodmin Moor and the South East Cornish Coast. It's little centre has much appeal, with a well stocked tourist information centre and old markings of it's stannary past with the guildhall and marvellous heritage museum which holds considerable information on the area's mining history. There's a few choice attractions nearby too including Carnglze Slate Caverns, the pretty village of St Neots and the Yarg Cheese Farm.
Liskeard Tourist Information Centre, Foresters Hall, Pike Street, Liskeard, Cornwall. PL14 3JE. Tel: 01579 349148.
Click Search
