Places to visit
Launceston Castle: getting there and nearby beaches
Photograph to come Launceston Castle.
Launceston Castle is a castle in the town of Launceston, cared for by English Heritage (description based on Wikidata). This page covers how to get there, the nearest beaches with their dog rules and water quality, and council parking nearby.
- Cared for by
- English Heritage
- Cornish name
- Kastel Lannstevan
- Official information
- English Heritage page
- Nearest railway station
- Gunnislake station (16.8 km (10.4 miles))
- Nearest beach in our guide
- Widemouth Bay (22.1 km (13.8 miles))
- Heritage listing
- National Heritage List entries 1017575, 1297840
Before you go
Opening days, times, prices and on-site parking change through the year, and some places close in winter or for repairs. We do not copy them here: check the official English Heritage page on the day you plan to visit.
Beaches near Launceston Castle
None of the beaches in our guide are within 10 km. These are the nearest.
| Beach | Distance (straight line) | Council dog rule | Water quality 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Widemouth Bay | 22.1 km (13.8 miles) | No dogs 10am–6pm, 15 May – 30 September | Excellent |
| Crackington Haven | 22.4 km (13.9 miles) | No dogs 10am–6pm, 15 May – 30 September | Excellent |
| Summerleaze | 25.4 km (15.8 miles) | Dogs on leads 10am–6pm, 21 May – 30 September | Excellent |
| Crooklets | 25.9 km (16.1 miles) | No dogs 10am–6pm, 15 May – 30 September | Excellent |
Council car parks nearby
Cornwall Council car parks within 2 km (straight line). Launceston Castle may have its own car park: the official English Heritage page says where to park.
| Council car park | Postcode | Distance (straight line) | Spaces | Open | Council page updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Castle Street, Launceston | PL15 8BA | 80 m (0.1 miles) | 23 | 24 hours | 6 August 2026 |
| Walkhouse, Launceston | PL15 8BQ | 130 m (0.1 miles) | 62 | 24 hours | 4 August 2026 |
| Duke Street, Launceston PL15 8HD (season tickets only) | – | 150 m (0.1 miles) | 20 | 24 hours a day | 6 August 2026 |
| Tower Street, Launceston PL15 8BQ (season tickets only) | – | 160 m (0.1 miles) | 22 | 24 hours | 6 August 2026 |
| Pannier Market, Launceston | PL15 7BA | 250 m (0.2 miles) | 36 | 24 hours | 6 August 2026 |
| Cattle Market, Launceston PL15 9BA (short stay) | – | 280 m (0.2 miles) | 166 | Entry permitted between 7am – 6pm (car park locked from 6pm) Monday to Saturday, excluding bank holidays Exit unrestricted 24 hours a day | 6 August 2026 |
| Cattle Market, Launceston PL15 9BA (long stay) | – | 350 m (0.2 miles) | 269 | – | 7 August 2026 |
| Fair Park Close, Launceston (season tickets only) | – | 530 m (0.3 miles) | 11 | 24 hours a day | 6 August 2026 |
Getting there by train
There is no National Rail station within 5 km of Launceston Castle. The nearest stations in Cornwall are below; from there you would need a bus, taxi or lift. The official page may list bus options.
- Gunnislake station: 16.8 km (10.4 miles)
- Calstock station: 18.9 km (11.7 miles)
- Liskeard station: 22.5 km (14.0 miles)
Straight-line distance, our own calculation from OpenStreetMap station locations (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL). It is not a walking or road route.
Other historic places and gardens nearby
National Trust and English Heritage places in our guide, by straight-line distance.
- The Hurlers Stone Circles (English Heritage): 15.1 km (9.4 miles)
- Dupath Well (English Heritage): 16.3 km (10.1 miles)
- Penhallam Manor (English Heritage): 16.5 km (10.3 miles)
Map
Photos
Planning when to go? Cornwall month by month covers daylight, average weather and school holidays.
Sources and checks
- Wikidata: Launceston Castle – CC0; description, operator, coordinates, Cornish name, heritage list numbers
- English Heritage: Launceston Castle – official page, checked 1 November 2026
- Cornwall Council: dogs on beaches – last updated 23 October 2026
- Cornwall Council car parks – pages checked 1 November 2026
- Environment Agency bathing water data – Open Government Licence v3.0
- OpenStreetMap: railway stations – ODbL; distances are our own calculation
- National Rail: station information – linked for times and facilities
Last checked: . Published by Oaknest Media. How we check: editorial policy.