Pictures of Launceston

in the county of Cornwall

Take a picture tour of Launceston

Launceston Picture Tour Launceston Hotels Submit a history of Launceston Launceston Attractions Nearby Towns Launceston Reviews Submit Pictures Launceston Map Add to favourites

About Launceston

This pretty, hilly market town has picturesque narrow streets which are fortunately by-passed by the motorist, thus the town retains its old-world character.

Launceston possess remnants from its medieval era. It has arches from the South Gate of the old wall, the ramparts of a 13th-century castle, and relics of the 12th-century Augustinian priory. Strolling through the town reveals a wealth of interest, shops have mostly retained their original shop-fronts, and there is a wonderful variance in architecture, ranging from Tudor to elegant Georgian, and rambling Victorian properties. The town museum is housed in Lawrence House, it can be found in eye-catching Castle Street, and shows not only the history of Launceston but has a display of romantic Victorian costume.

One of the treasures of the town is the beautiful Church of St.Mary Magdalene, it is famous for the lavish carvings completely covering the exterior walls. The date of the church is thought to be around 1524.

The imposing White Hart Hotel can be found in the attractive Square, and the architecture of the Eagle House Hotel is worthy of note. In the old Medieval part of the town you can find the atmospheric Bell Inn, the Westgate, and the Launceston Arms. All are full of character and are warmly welcoming.

Away from the town the countryside is mostly traditional farming country and rolling moor-land. Valley woods, streams, hills and hedgerows, flecked in summer with vibrant poppies, the fragile pink flowers of the sturdy foxglove and many other wild and beautiful sweet scented plants, are a feature of the countryside.

Launceston is but a mile away from the Devon border, in a region famous for its many quiet little hamlets and glorious villages, aglow with the cottages of yester-year. It is a peaceful, tranquil area, close to the dramatic scenery of Bodmin Moor, and Daphne du Mauriers' Jamaica Inn.

There is a restless beauty about this stunning region, it has constantly changing vista's, the beautiful stone of enchanting houses glows in the warmth of the sun, yet the isolated moors covered by swirls of mist reveal a dramatic landscape that has been the inspiration of writers and artists for centuries.

Launceston and its beautiful region offers an ideal base for exploring this lovely part of Cornwall and Devon.

Planning a visit? Please see below for other recommended towns, attractions and recommended hotels nearby.

Distances and directions below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Launceston

Launceston Castle	(0.3 miles, 0.5 km)	Pictures
Bodmin Moor	(9.6 miles, 15.4 km, direction SW)	Pictures
Lydford Gorge	(10.1 miles, 16.2 km, direction E)	Pictures
Jamaica Inn	(10.6 miles, 17.0 km, direction SW)	Pictures
Lydford Castle	(10.8 miles, 17.3 km, direction E)	Pictures
Tavistock Abbey	(11.3 miles, 18.1 km, direction SE)	Pictures
Golitha Falls	(12.4 miles, 19.9 km, direction SW)	Pictures
Dobwalls Family Adventure Park	(14.0 miles, 22.5 km, direction SW)	Pictures
Buckland Abbey	(14.5 miles, 23.3 km, direction SE)	Pictures
Merrivale Prehistoric Settlement	(15.2 miles, 24.5 km, direction SE)	Pictures
The Rocky Valley	(16.4 miles, 26.4 km, direction W)	Pictures
Okehampton Castle	(16.6 miles, 26.6 km, direction E)	Pictures
Tintagel Old Post Office	(17.3 miles, 27.8 km, direction W)	Pictures
Tintagel Castle	(17.9 miles, 28.8 km, direction W)	Pictures
Merlin's Cave	(17.9 miles, 28.9 km, direction W)	Pictures

All attractions in Launceston
All attractions in Cornwall
Complete A to Z of attractions in England

Recommended towns near Launceston

Callington in the county of Cornwall (9.7 miles, 15.6 km, direction S)
The little town of Callington can be found a short distance from the River Tamar and is close to the River Lynher, in a quiet region which was once known for its prosperous tin mines.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Watergate in the county of Cornwall (13.4 miles, 21.6 km, direction W)
Watergate occupies a lovely location between the picturesque fishing harbour of Padstow and the exciting surfing beaches of Newquay.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Stratton in the county of Cornwall (14.8 miles, 23.9 km, direction NW)
Stratton is a short distance inland from the resort of Bude and was the scene of a Civil War battle in 1643.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Boscastle in the county of Cornwall (15.0 miles, 24.2 km, direction W)
Boscastle is favoured with the only natural harbour along a rugged rock strewn twenty mile stretch of North Cornish Coast.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Bude in the county of Cornwall (15.3 miles, 24.6 km, direction NW)
Backed in parts by grassy downs, the wide sandy sweep of Bude Bay with creamy waves flowing in endless procession from the Atlantic make this a perfect summer place for surfers.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Yelverton in the county of Devon (15.7 miles, 25.3 km, direction SE)
Yelverton, by-passed by the picturesque River Meavy is situated on the south-western fringes of Dartmoor. It is a quaint little town surrounded by fine scenery with easy access to some of the loveliest places on Dartmoor.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Okehampton in the county of Devon (17.0 miles, 27.3 km, direction E)
There has been a settlement at Okehampton since the Bronze-Age, later it became a prosperous Saxon town with the Saxon Lords being overthrown at the time of the Conquest.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Saltash in the county of Cornwall (17.2 miles, 27.7 km, direction S)
Famous for its two great bridges than span the River Tamar, this little town, known as 'the gateway to Cornwall' is both pretty and interesting.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Tintagel in the county of Cornwall (17.3 miles, 27.8 km, direction W)
Legendry seat of King Arthur, graced with spectacular cliff scenery and the ruins of a castle built for the Earl of Cornwall in...
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Princetown in the county of Devon (17.6 miles, 28.4 km, direction SE)
Princetown is the highest village within the Dartmoor National Park, some call it the bleakest centre of the moors which is probably largely due to the town being the home of notorious Dartmoor Prison.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Two Bridges in the county of Devon (18.3 miles, 29.5 km, direction E)
Two Bridges is the junction of the two major routes across central Dartmoor, and thus attracts a lot of visitors in the summer.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Millendreath in the county of Cornwall (18.4 miles, 29.5 km, direction S)
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Bodmin in the county of Cornwall (19.7 miles, 31.7 km, direction SW)
Historically fascinating and naturally beautiful, this area of North Cornwall has so much to offer. Equidistant from both the...
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Looe in the county of Cornwall (20.1 miles, 32.3 km, direction S)
In far off medieval times both East and West Looe were granted a charter and each retained its own identity for several centuries.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Postbridge in the county of Devon (20.2 miles, 32.5 km, direction E)
Postbridge is a tiny hamlet, yet this richly wooded area, at the heart of the moor has become a natural starting point for the thousands of visitors who annually come to explore the splendour and wonders of the moor.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

All towns in Cornwall
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Nearby travel help

Gunnislake Station	(10.7 miles, 17.2 km, direction SE)
Calstock Station	(11.9 miles, 19.1 km, direction SE)
Plymouth City Airport	(18.6 miles, 29.9 km, direction SE)
Newquay (Cornwall) Airport	(31.6 miles, 50.8 km, direction SW)
M5 Junction 31	(37.2 miles, 59.8 km, direction E)
M5 Junction 30	(39.6 miles, 63.8 km, direction E)
Launceston to London	(193.8 miles, 311.8 km, direction E)

Hotels & Accommodation in Launceston

Hotel Name	Approximate distance from Launceston center
Lifton Hall Hotel	(3.4 miles, 5.4 km, direction E)
The Coachouse Hotel & Restaurant	(9.1 miles, 14.7 km, direction SE)
Browns Tavistock	(11.2 miles, 18.1 km, direction SE)
Bedford Hotel	(11.3 miles, 18.2 km, direction SE)
Fox & Hounds Hotel	(12.1 miles, 19.4 km, direction E)
The Bickford Arms	(12.8 miles, 20.5 km, direction N)
Widemouth Manor	(13.1 miles, 21.1 km, direction NW)
Nebula Hotel	(13.5 miles, 21.7 km, direction S)
The Lord Eliot	(13.6 miles, 21.9 km, direction S)
Elements'	(14.4 miles, 23.1 km, direction NW)
All hotels in Launceston