Pictures of Charlestown

in the county of Cornwall

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About Charlestown

This lovely little port hugs the rugged south Cornish coast overlooking picturesque St. Austell Bay. There has long been a settlement in the area, but the village did not develop until the late 18th century when it was expanded by Charles Rashleigh, a local mine owner. The area had seen an explosion in the mining industry and Rashleigh though it necessary to build a harbour for the shipment of copper and the china clay hauled from the mines at St. Austell. He instructed John Smeaton, builder of the Eddystone lighthouse, to design and build the port and in 1791 work began to both the port and pier. Later the work was extended to include a basin cut out of solid rock, thus ensuring safety for the fishing fleet.

Charlestown soon became busy, the harbourside bustled with coasters discharging coal from which black dust rose, mingling with the white dust of the china clay. Today, this lovely Georgian town is no less busy, its harbourside often thronged with visitors gazing at vessel's moored there, some are gaily painted fishing boats and sometimes there are handsome "tall-ships" to be seen.

The local inn, The Rashleigh Arms is named for Charles Rashleigh, the man who did so much to expand the area, and behind the old dock the Charlestown Shipwreck and Heritage Museum, tells the story of Charles Rashleigh and the history of the region.

Visitors will find this a gorgeous place, its harbour still operates as a working harbour with an active fishing fleet and at low tide this is flanked by attractive sand and shingle beaches.

In the town visitors will find plenty of pleasant inns, restaurants, cafe's, a variety of excellent holiday accommodation and a fine selection of shops.

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Hotels & Accommodation in Charlestown

	Porth Avallen Hotel Sea Road, Carlyon Bay, Cornwall, England (0.6 miles, 0.9 km) The Porth Avallen Hotel - our country house hotel by the sea. The only thing that we overlook is the bay. All rooms are en-suite and well appointed. Children's tariff available - please contact reserv... More info and book online.. Price from £74.00
	Cliff Head Hotel Sea Road, Carlyon Road, St. Austell, Cornwall, England (0.9 miles, 1.4 km) If you are looking to explore this picturesque county and visit the highly acclaimed Eden Project, then look no further. The Cliff Head is also ideally situated for the glorious Lost Gardens of Heliga... More info and book online.. Price from £70.00
	The Carlyon Bay Hotel Sea Road, St Austell, Cornwall, Cornwall, England (0.9 miles, 1.5 km) Occupying a stunning cliff-top location, this refined hotel boasts AA Rosette-winning cuisine, an 18-hole Championship Golf Course and an exclusive Beauty Room. During their stay, guests can unwin... More info and book online.. Price from £90.00
	Wisteria Lodge Boscundle, Tregrehan, St Austell, Cornwall, England (1.0 miles, 1.5 km) Wisteria Lodge and Country Spa is a small, elegant hotel offering a relaxed atmosphere & high level of personal service. The hotel enjoys an idyllic location set in an acre of lovingly tended private ... More info and book online.. Price from £125.00
	The Fowey Hotel The Esplanade, Fowey, Cornwall, England (5.3 miles, 8.5 km, direction E) Established in 1882, the 4-star Fowey Hotel is a haven of tranquillity resting on the bank of the Fowey River Estuary. Each of the thirty-seven bedrooms has been individually furnished with an emphasi... More info and book online.. Price from £70.00

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Nearby travel help

St. Austell Station	(1.5 miles, 2.4 km, direction NW)
Par Station	(2.8 miles, 4.5 km, direction NE)
Newquay (Cornwall) Airport	(13.2 miles, 21.2 km, direction NW)
Plymouth City Airport	(29.4 miles, 47.2 km, direction E)
M5 Junction 31	(59.9 miles, 96.3 km, direction E)
M5 Junction 30	(62.9 miles, 101.2 km, direction NE)
Charlestown to London	(218.1 miles, 350.9 km, direction E)