Colin Crosby Heritage Tours

Launceston

Launceston is an ancient market town in Cornwall, close to the River Tamar and 20 miles from Plymouth. It dates back to the Dark Ages and was the county town until 1838.

The pronunciation is "Launce-ton".

St. Mary Magdalene`s Church dates from the 15th century, and features decorative carving on the hard granite outer walls.

St. Thomas` Church is also 15th century, and has a large Norman font.

Launceston Castle, with its shell keep, dominates the town on its high mound, as it has done since Norman times. George Fox was imprisoned here in 1656.

There is a mediaeval gateway surviving from the castle, and another from the Town Walls.

The White Hart incorporates a Norman doorway from the nearby Augustinian priory.