Launceston (Cornish: Lannstevan) is a town of 9,200 people (2011) in North Cornwall. Visitors come to see the 11th-century Launceston Castle, and the Launceston narrow-gauge heritage steam railway.

Get in

Launceston is on the A30 (the main trunk road running though the center of Cornwall). It is about 45 minutes (41 miles) from Exeter.

Get around

This small town of around 12,000 people is easy to cover on foot. Taxis are inexpensive but not required in the town centre.

See

• 1 Launceston Castle, Castle Lodge, PL15 7DR, ☏ +44 1566 772365. Built in the 11th century by Brian de Bretagne, the first Norman Earl of Cornwall adults £3.60, children £2.20, concessions £3.20.  
• 2 St. Mary Magdalene. a 16th-century church with one of the most lavishly carved exteriors of any Church in England  
• 3 Lawrence House, 9 Castle Street, PL15 8BA, ☏ +44 1566 773277, lawrencehouse@nationaltrust.org.uk.  

Do

• 1 Launceston Steam railway, St. Thomas Road, PL15 8DA, ☏ +44 1566 775665. Open during the summer months.  

Eat

• Tinhay Mill Restaurant, Lifton (a couple of miles to the east of the town). a good reputation 
• La Bouche Creole (centre of town). offers great Louisiana cuisine. 

There are various Indian restaurants in the town, but no dine in Chinese.

• Launceston Fryers (in the centre of town opposite the post office). offer good quality, fresh, fish and chips 

Drink

• The White Horse. pub - live music on Fridays. 
• The Bakers Arms. pub - lively, full of younger generation. 
• The White Heart. pub - Busy on Saturdays. 

Sleep

• The White Hart Hotel, ☏ +44 1566 772013. Offers the best accommodation in town. 
• Eagle House Hotel. Very popular. 
• Lots of B&Bs in the area.
• 1 Arundell Arms, Fore St, Lifton PL16 0AA, ☏ +44 1566 784666. Just across the boundary east into Devon, this is a country house hotel with great dining. Dog friendly. B&B double £160. (updated Jun 2020)
• 2 Coombeshead Farm, Lewannick PL15 7QQ, ☏ +44 1566 782009. Restaurant with five rooms in 16th C farmhouse, delightful cuisine. No children under 16. B&B double £130. (updated Aug 2020)

Go next

Plymouth and Exeter are connected by a daily bus service. Tavistock is a Devon based market-town.

Routes through Launceston

Land's End ← Bodmin ←

W  E

→ Okehampton → Exeter