Welcome to the Cornwall Tourism Magazine - Cornwall Tourism Magazine - Launceston page.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cornwall Tourism Magazine - Launceston

 

Launceston is located just off the main A30 on the northern border with Devon and is a town known as the Gateway to Cornwall. Launceston as it is today, was originally called Dunheved and dates back to Saxon times where the original name Dunheved came from. The later name of Launceston actually came from the nearby monastery called St Stephens of Launceston, although it was called Dunheved well into the 11th Century. Launceston ( nee Dunheved ) was built on the side of a large hill and was expanded after the Norman Conquest and the castle which totally dominates the town, was built in 1070 AD by Robert de Mortain, the half-brother of William 1st ( William the Conqueror ). Launceston then became the capital of of Cornwall until it was eventually replaced by Lostwithiel in the mid 13th century but it became the county town of Cornwall again until it was replaced by Bodmin in 1835, but between those dates it has a very varied history.

 

 

Launceston Castle.

 

When you go to Launceston, you cannot help but notice the castle which totally dominates the town. It dates back to the early years of the Norman Conquest, it was built in 1070, and is unusual in that it is a round castle. Most Norman castles of the day were square with a protecting earth bank with wooden spikes along its banks around them but Launceston castle was built around a motte-and-baily design which made it more difficult to attack and defeat. It also made a huge statement of the Normans authority to everyone in the surrounding area, being clearly visible for miles around. Once built, it also became the administrative headquarters for the Earls of Cornwall where they controlled the many estates they owned throughout the surrounding area,so again, the castle was a very visible representation of their power.

 

Renovations and decline.

 

A new inner Keep was added in the 12th Century. In the 13th Century the castle was extensively rebuilt in stone by Richard, Earl of Cornwall, a younger brother of Henry III, with the main tower being built in much darker stone than the rest of the castle and a new Great Hall being added. The castle never saw any military action as such, although it was used as a goal and site for execution. After the 16th century the castle then fell into disrepair and was so bad that the Royalist Troops defending Launceston in the Civil War, didn't even bother to use it in any of their defensive actions. It fell further into decline and was eventually partially demolished in 1764 to provide stone for a new house that was built immediately outside the north gate. In 1838 the assizes and the seat of county government were moved to Bodmin. The jail was demolished in the late 18th Century and the Duke of Northumberland had the castle landscaped and turned into a public park and garden which is as it is seen today. It is now administered by English Heritage.

 

 

More history - The first Cornish Mint.

 

Before the Norman invasion, St Stephen by Launceston ( the nearby Monastery from which Launceston obtained its later name ) had the earliest known Cornish Mint and produced coinage on a small scale until 994 AD, when it was granted full diocesan jurisdiction by the then Saxon King, Ethelred 2nd. Later, during the reign of William the Conqueror, the mint was moved to Dunheved ( Launceston today - yes we know its a little confusing ) and remained in existence until 1160 AD in the rein of Henry 2nd. However, it then came back to Launceston again in the rein of Henry 3rd. It seem then that the MInt and Launceston were meant to be together.

 

Death in the streets - The execution of Catholic Martyr Cuthbert Mayne.

 

Unfortunately, Launceston has also seen its fair share of blood and oppression and in 1577, the Roman Catholic Martyr Cuthbert Mayne was executed at Launceston during the rein of Elizabeth 1st when there was a very strong anti-catholic movement in England due to the issues with Spain and Rome at the time. Whilst awaiting trial, Mayne was held at Launceston goal and changed to his bed posts. In fact the charges against him were very weak, however, the trial Judge, Justice Sir Roger Manwood was determined to have him executed and directed the Jury to find him guilty,which they did and sentenced him to be hung, drawn and quartered. Another Judge, the infamous Judge Jefferies, did not agree with the proceedings and referred the case to the Privy Council. However, politics entered the affray and the sentence was upheld. Mayne was executed in the market place on 29th November 1577 and as you walk around Launceston, you will see many memorials dedicated to him.

 

Launceston - the English Civil War.

 

During the Civil War Launceston was a Royalist stronghold loyal to Charles I. In 1643, Major General James Chudleigh led a Parliamentarian force to capture Launceston from the Royalists but the Royalist commander, Sir Ralph Hopton, had placed his forces on the summit of Beacon Hill ( now called Windmill Hill ) which lies to the south of the town and overlooks it. Although with greater numbers, the Parliamentarians captured ground around the foot of the hill, they were not able to dislodge the Royalist forces from the top. The Royalist then, under Hopton's command, launched a counterattack down the hill and despite the arrival of reinforcements, beat the Parliamentarians and forced them to withdraw from the battle. Eventually though, the Parliamentarians won the war and Launceston came under the control of Oliver Cromwell's government at the end of the war.

 

 

Launceston - in later times.

 

Launceston is said to have gained its historical importance in the 1690, because it was deemed that it was the furthest into Cornwall Officers of the Crown were safe to venture, however, it is believed that this was mainly because of the state of the roads travelling throughout Cornwall at that time, more than anything else. In deed, things did not really improve until 1835 at which point Bodmin became the county town and Launceston lost its prominence. Today it is a nice market town with some nice shops, pubs and restaurants and you can walk around it and see the old Gate House and of course visit the castle.

 

Around Launceston - Launceston Steam railway.

 

The L.S.R. runs from Launceston through several miles of countryside to the hamlet of New Mills. Trains run throughout the summer, hauled by authentic old steam locomotives built in the late 1800s. On site at Launceston station are a cafe, museum, workshop, well stocked shop and bookshop, and adjacent to the railway at New Mills is a popular farm park. Tickets allow you unlimited travel on the day of your visit, so you can ride up and down as many times as you wish, or break your journey for a riverside picnic at New Mills or to explore the local footpaths. There are also remains of an Augustinian Priory which you can view at Launceston station.

 

The Tamar Otter and Wildlife Centre.

 

Situated in North Petherwin, Launceston, this centre is a haven for British and Asian short clawed otters. You can also see a selection of owl, waterfowl and wallabies. A woodland walk cuts through the 20-acre site and after you’ve worked up a bit of a thirst, there’s a visit to the tearoom which serves food freshly prepared using local produce. It is well worth a visit and you can find out more about the Tamar Otter and Wildlife Centre on this link.

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

Find the towns in Cornwall - by map.

 

Please use the map to locate the town of your choice and click on the appropriate icon and link which will take you to the relevant towns page where you can find out about its history, what to do and see there, local villages, images and other interesting items and facts. Alternatively, you can use the manual selection section below where we have alphabetically listed most of the major towns in Cornwall in their appropriate region. To use it, just click on a Town name button and the link will take you to its relevant page.

 

Using the map.

 

To locate a town, please put your curser on the map face, left click your mouse and then use it to move a scroll around the map. The towns will all have a small white balloon icon so when you wish to view a town page, left click on the towns icon, and then click on the link that will appear with the towns name on it. You will then be taken to the towns relevant page. You will find the map on all town pages so if you want to look up another town, just locate it on the map and click on the appropriate icon as described here.

 

Map of Cornwall - Click on the balloon icon link to a town and click on the link when it opens.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our business methodology is very simple. We are promoting Cornwall as an all year round holiday destination and to do this more effectively, we need your local stories and feed back from your visit to Cornwall which we will post on a dedicated page, so please send us your thoughts and any tourism related local stories or your feedback on your stay in Cornwall. We will publish them on the website every two weeks and we will give the best story of each fortnight a free Cornwall Pass so please send your stories and information to us on editor@cornwalltourismmagazine.com and we will publish them for you.