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Pencuke Farm Holiday Cottages & Yurts Pencuke St Gennys Bude Cornwall EX23 0BH tel 01840 230360 email info@pencukefarm.co.uk web www.pencukefarm.co.uk
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out and about / visiting towns and villages / launceston

Launceston

Launceston is the ancient capital of Cornwall. It has been a market town since the time of the Normans and stands almost on the Cornish border with Devon. Just off the main A30, at the eastern end of Cornwall it is proud to be known as the ‘Gateway to Cornwall’.

It is quintessentially Cornish, with its Georgian houses, intricately carved church, narrow streets and market square. It offers specialty shops selling local produced foods right through to unique and unusual gifts. Choose either the indoor Friday Market at St Mary's Hall, or the bustling Butter Market, held in the Town Square on the first Saturday of each month for even more locally produced food, plants and local crafts.

The town trail takes you on a tour of Launceston, winding past St Mary's Church - famed for its extravagantly carved exterior, beyond the award winning Lawrence House Museum - sited in a fine example of Georgian architecture, and up to the castle keep where you can enjoy panoramic views.
Launceston still boasts a medieval south gate and the ruins of a castle. In one direction is the expanse of Bodmin Moor whilst in the other, just across the River Tamar, is the wildness of Dartmoor. The castle, built so long ago to guard this border offers views of both moors.

Alternatively relax on the castle green on a warm summers day and admire the intricate pattern of the townscape looking down to St. Thomas and Newport, then up to St. Stephens and its Church, high on a hill. Enjoy a ride on the Launceston Steam Railway, through the beautiful Kensey Valley countryside to the hamlet of Newmills. At the end of a leisurely walk why not stop at one of Launceston's many cafés, or for something more substantial there are restaurants serving a variety of cuisines both during the day and in the evening.

Launceston Castle is the starting point for two further walks, The Two Castles Trails between Launceston and Okehampton Castle, and the Tamar Valley Discovery Trail between Launceston and Plymouth.