A Guide to the Best Things to do in Launceston, Cornwall

Last Updated on 27th February 2024 by Sophie Nadeau

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Launceston is a must-see South West town and was even once the capital of Cornwall. Home to a castle, countless antique shops, and a superb town museum, you could easily dedicate an entire afternoon to wandering around the town, soaking up the historic atmosphere, and acclimatising to the slower pace of life to be found there. Here’s your ultimate guide to the best things to do in Launceston, as well as travel tips and what to know before visiting!

Though I’ve spent years living just a few hours away, I always avoided the stop-off and yet now that I’ve been, the market town of Launceston is now a place I’ll surely return to.

For those who are making their way to Southern Cornwall, Launceston is the perfect place to stop off and refuel en route between the rest of the UK and the most Westerly point of England. In Cornish, Launceston is known as Lannstevan.

Where is Launceston?

Launceston is strategically located on the border between the counties of Cornwall and Devon. The town is also located close to the A38 (one of the main roads through Cornwall and Devon) and is also nearby to Bodmin Moor, an open moorland that’s home to granite boulders, sprawling grassland, and grazing animals such as ponies, cattle, and sheep.

What’s in a name?

You may be reading this post and thinking about the city of Launceston in Tasmania, Australia! Indeed, the two towns share a name for a very good reason.

Launceston in Cornwall is the namesake for the city in Australia, meaning that Launceston in Australia is quite literally named for Launceston in Cornwall (and wow, I’m not sure I can type the name Launceston out again today!)

Best things to do in Launceston

Launceston Castle

Of course, the number one historical attraction to see in Launceston is its imposing castle. Founded centuries ago by the Normans, the ruins of this well-preserved Motte and Bailey Castle provide an excellent viewpoint of the town and the Cornish countryside surrounding it.

High and imposing above the town below, the impressive fortified ruins of the town’s castle are well worth wandering around, if only to see the view and spy the Atlantic Sea some fair few miles away.

Launceston Castle is one of the most beautiful castles in Cornwall and is a must-see while in town. Now owned and managed by English Heritage, you’ll have to pay a small fee to enter (unless you’re a member).

With this being said, visiting the castle is well worth it, if only to enjoy the view over the rest of the town and onto the rolling green hills beyond…

Launceston Museum (Lawrence House)

If you make it your mission to see just one attraction in Launceston beyond the castle, make it the town’s museum. Free to visit and rather expansive in size, the National Trust owned property documents the history of Launceston and the surrounding Cornish countryside.

St Mary Magdalene Church

Just beneath the castle, Launceston’s main church is fairly substantial in size and is home to numerous stained glass windows, each more interesting than the last. Of particular interest is the church’s stone carved façade; dating back to the Tudor times there’s nothing else quite like it in Cornwall.

The grade I listed ecclesiastical building is free to enter and is filled with all manner of stained glass windows. Though they all date to around the 18th-19th centuries, all are created with entirely different designs.

The Little Bakehouse @ Launceston:

If you’re hungry and looking for a bite to eat after wandering the cobbled lanes in town, then The Little Bakehouse is a must. For fans of all things sourdough and baked, the Little Bakehouse is a must-visit café and bakery in the heart of town.

Serving some of the best coffee to be found anywhere in this part of Cornwall, I highly recommend the mushrooms on sourdough for lunch! Please be warned that the place is incredibly busy, even during weekdays, and you’ll need to be preared

Abbey Books

Books sit side by side. Tome after tome. Row upon row. Shelf upon shelf. All just waiting to be glimpsed through, purchased, read. Abbey Books is owned by Spencer Magill and has been established for well over a decade in the very heart of Launceston.

Jamaica Inn

The inn which gives its name to the iconic novel of the same name by Daphne Du Maurier is located a few miles from Launceston, on the fringes of the formidable Bodmin Moor. Once thought to have been frequented by smugglers, today the pub welcomes visitors for lunches and dinner.

I’ve been and personally think that the pub is something of a tourist trap, especially the small ‘museum’ area. With this being said, Jamaica Inn is still worth visiting briefly if you’re a fan of all things literature-related, especially if you enjoy du Maurier’s works.

Where to stay in Launceston

Thanks to its status as the gateway to Cornwall, there are a fair few places to stay in Launceston that suit a variety of budgets and needs.

As you only really need an afternoon to explore town, I would probably not recommend staying here as there are far more beautiful places to stay close to the coast. However, if you’re travelling from far away and want to break up your joruney, here are some of the best places to stay in the Cornish town.

The Eagle House Hotel: Set against the backdrop of a gorgeous 1750s Georgian townhouse, this well located hotel offers ree Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and tea and coffee making facilities. Check prices and availability here.

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