Pictures of Charlestown

in the county of Cornwall

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.

Take a picture tour of Charlestown or book Charlestown accommodation

Other nearby recommended towns & villages..

Mevagissey (243 Pictures)

a Picturesque Village in the county of Cornwall

(4.6 miles, 7.5 km, direction S of Charlestown)

One of a ribbon of picturesque fishing villages dotting the fabled Cornish coastline. Mevagissey has ancient buildings flanking steep and extremely narrow streets which during.....

Fowey (101 Pictures)

a Picturesque Village in the county of Cornwall

(5.5 miles, 8.9 km, direction E of Charlestown)

The picturesque harbour town of Fowey has a history as colourful as some of the pretty boats sailing in and out of its waters...

Bodmin (126 Pictures)

in the county of Cornwall

(9.6 miles, 15.4 km, direction N of Charlestown)

Historically fascinating and naturally beautiful, this area of North Cornwall has so much to offer. Equidistant from both the north and south coasts, Bodmin is an excellent base.....

Portloe (5 Pictures)

a Picturesque Village in the county of Cornwall

(9.7 miles, 15.7 km, direction SW of Charlestown)

"One of the least spoiled and most impressive of Cornish fishing villages" - Sir John Betjeman (famous poet 1906-1984)..

Polperro (212 Pictures)

a Picturesque Village in the county of Cornwall

(10.4 miles, 16.7 km, direction E of Charlestown)

Jagged rocks rise as if to guard the entrance to the picturesque harbour of this enchanting fishing village which has for decades been a magnet for tourists and a mecca for artists from all over England...

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

Nearby attractions..

Pine Lodge Gardens (2 Pictures)

(0.8 miles, 1.2 km)

..

The Eden Project (182 Pictures)

(1.9 miles, 3.1 km, direction NE)

This is a joyous celebration of precious plant life established as a millennium project to mark the birth of the 21st century. .....

Lost Gardens of Heligan (148 Pictures)

(4.0 miles, 6.4 km, direction SW)

..

World of Model Railways

(4.6 miles, 7.3 km, direction S)

..

St. Catherine's Castle (18 Pictures)

(4.9 miles, 7.9 km, direction E)

..

Restormel Castle (45 Pictures)

(6.4 miles, 10.2 km, direction NE)

Built around 1300, once home to Edward, the Black Prince, the great circular shell-keep survives in good condition and is the.....

Lanhydrock House (67 Pictures)

(8.0 miles, 12.8 km, direction N)

Magnificent late Victorian country house with extensive servants' quarters, gardens and wooded estate...

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