Charlestown

Travel Guide

Charlestown featuring heritage architecture
Charlestown which includes flowers
Charlestown showing general coastal views and rocky coastline
Charlestown showing signage
Charlestown showing signage
Visit this pretty Georgian harbor town, once an important port for china clay and now a popular filming location for period TV shows and movies.

Charlestown is one of Cornwall’s most picturesque villages, known for its well-preserved late-Georgian working port. Browse the town’s galleries, check out tall ships moored in its harbor and cool off with a drink at a restaurant overlooking its sandy beach.

Charlestown was built between 1791 and 1801 byCharles Rashleigh, an entrepreneur and local landowner, to facilitate exporting china clay from nearby St. Austell. Remarkably, the town continues to serve as a working port and small amounts of china clay are still exported today. Look around the harbor for one of the town’s impressive old square-riggers. The harbor is often used as a filming location for TV shows and movies, including Doctor Who, Mansfield Park and Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland.

Visit the Charlestown Shipwreck & Heritage Centre, which exhibits artifacts collected from more than 150 shipwrecks, dating as far back as the early 18th century. Set in a historic clay building, the museum houses one of England’s largest collections of underwater diving equipment. Look for artifacts from the Titanic and other failed White Star Liners, as well as memorabilia relating to Admiral Nelson.

Walk along the town’s small beach, which is located just beyond the harbor. Covered with a mix of sand and pebble, the beach is a fine spot for bodyboarding or snorkeling depending on the tide conditions. You’ll also find a few restaurants and cafés where you can sip a drink overlooking the shore. Head to nearby St. Austell Bay to enjoy golden sand beaches and even more watersports opportunities.

The town has several small galleries. The Atishoo Gallery exhibits the work of more than 80 artists, many from southwest England. Check out the gallery’s ever-changing exhibition of paintings, jewelry, pottery and crafts.

Charlestown is located 7 miles (12 kilometers) from Fowey and 2.2 miles (3.5kilometer) from St. Austell. To get here, follow the highway from the Mount Charles roundabout in St. Austell or use local bus services.

Pier House
Pier House
3.5 out of 5
Harbour Front, Charlestown, St Austell, England
The price is €153 per night from 19 Feb to 20 Feb
€153
includes taxes & fees
19 Feb - 20 Feb
Stay at this 3.5-star beach B&B in St Austell. Enjoy free WiFi, daily housekeeping, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Eden Project and Charlestown ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (316 reviews)
"Honestly one of the best places I have stay while away for work. i booked the wrong dates but the staff were more than happy to accommodate us, the rooms are spotless and beautifully decorated! i would definitely stay again (even in my own time) its a wonderful location steeped in history. I honestly ..."

Reviewed on 27 Jan 2025

Pier House
Rashleigh Arms
Rashleigh Arms
4 out of 5
Charlestown Road, Charlestown, St Austell, England
The price is €132 per night from 17 Feb to 18 Feb
€132
includes taxes & fees
17 Feb - 18 Feb
Stay at this 4-star inn in St Austell. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and room service. Popular attractions Eden Project and Charlestown Shipwreck and Heritage ...
9/10 Wonderful! (184 reviews)
"Lovely place to stay, amazing room, great food and excellent service, thank you👍👍"

Reviewed on 4 Jan 2025

Rashleigh Arms
OYO Newquay Beach Hotel
OYO Newquay Beach Hotel
3.5 out of 5
1 Narrowcliff, Newquay, England
The price is €63 per night from 20 Feb to 21 Feb
€63
includes taxes & fees
20 Feb - 21 Feb
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Newquay. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (135 reviews)
"Everything was really good, especially the breakfast"

Reviewed on 15 Feb 2025

OYO Newquay Beach Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
SeaSpace
SeaSpace
4.5 out of 5
Watergate Rd, Newquay, England
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Newquay. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Watergate Bay Beach and Fistral ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (10 reviews)
"Nice location, dog-friendly hotel, great cafe with delicious breakfast and brunch menu. Walking distance to the beach."

Reviewed on 30 Dec 2024

SeaSpace
Beach Cottage - Porthcothan -  a cottage that sleeps  7-11 guests  in 6 bedrooms
Beach Cottage - Porthcothan - a cottage that sleeps 7-11 guests in 6 bedrooms
Porthcothan
Book a stay at this beach cottage in Padstow. Enjoy a beach locale, a garden, and a pool table. Popular attractions Padstow Harbour and Watergate Bay Beach are ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (13 reviews)
Beach Cottage
"Great place for a family get together. Plenty of room to spread out. Hot tub and games room were well used. The house is bright, modern and comfortable. Some of the double bedrooms were smaller than expected but fine overall. Beds were very comfortable. It was useful to have extra living space in ..."

Reviewed on 27 Oct 2023

Beach Cottage - Porthcothan - a cottage that sleeps 7-11 guests in 6 bedrooms
Bay Retreat Villas
Bay Retreat Villas
4 out of 5
St Merryn Park, St Merryn, Padstow, England
Stay at this 4-star apartment in Padstow. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Padstow Harbour and Watergate Bay Beach are located ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (56 reviews)
"Very cosy property, would happily stay here again."

Reviewed on 4 Nov 2024

Bay Retreat Villas
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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