Charlestown

Charlestown is a Georgian harbour village in central Cornwall, just south of St Austell, built in the 1790s by Charles Rashleigh for china clay export. Tall ships are moored in the harbour year-round, and the port has been used as a filming location for BBC’s Poldark, Treasure Island and other period dramas. It is the last intact 18th-century working harbour in the UK and sits within the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Things to Do

The Shipwreck Treasure Museum - formerly the Charlestown Shipwreck & Heritage Centre, now revamped under Sir Tim Smit’s company - holds over 8,000 artefacts from 165 shipwrecks, including items linked to the Titanic and HMS Victory. Beneath the museum, a network of old china clay tunnels has been reopened to visitors. The South West Coast Path runs along the cliffs on both sides of the harbour, with walks east to Par and west to the Gribbin Head daymark. The harbour itself is compact enough to explore in an hour, with a couple of cafes and a gallery.

Where to Stay

Nearly 50 holiday properties are available in and around Charlestown, from harbour-view apartments to larger family homes on the outskirts. St Austell town centre is less than 2 miles north, and the Lost Gardens of Heligan are roughly 5 miles along the coast road. The Eden Project is a 10-minute drive inland.

Getting Here

St Austell station on the main London Paddington to Penzance line is the nearest rail stop, under 2 miles from Charlestown harbour. By road, the village is just off the A390. Newquay Airport is about 20 miles north-west. Parking in Charlestown is limited in summer, so arriving early or using the park and ride from St Austell is worth considering.