famous road
Atlantic Highway (A39)
Spectacular coastal road running through north Devon and Cornwall past dramatic cliffs, surfing beaches and picturesque harbour villages.
25 km · about 30 min drive
England, United Kingdom · Europe
Launceston works well as a base: 10 minutes from Lifton, 25km from Atlantic Highway (A39).
Launceston is a town located in England, United Kingdom. With a population of 8,910, it is an important destination in Europe.
On a road trip, Launceston sits in United Kingdom, where you drive on the left. It's in the Europe/London time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Launceston to your route.
Launceston ( LAHN-stən, LAWN-, locally LA(H)N-sən; rarely spelt Lanson as a local abbreviation; Cornish: Lannstevan) is a town and civil parish in Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. It is 1 mile (1.6 km) west of the River Tamar, which forms almost the entire border between Cornwall and Devon. The landscape of theRead more
town is generally steep, rising from the River Kensey, a tributary of the Tamar, up to the hill on which Launceston Castle stands.
The castle was built by Robert, Count of Mortain, (half-brother of William the Conqueror) c. 1070 to control the surrounding area. Launceston was the caput of the feudal barony of Launceston and of the Earldom of Cornwall until replaced by Lostwithiel in the 13th century. Launceston was later the county town of Cornwall until 1838 when Bodmin replaced it. Launceston's motto "Royale et Loyale" (English translation: Royal and Loyal) is a reference to its adherence to the Cavalier cause during the English Civil War of the 1640s.
The town is known as one of the gateways to Cornwall, being near where the A30 road enters the county. The road historically went through the centre of the town, but now bypasses it to the south. Launceston Steam Railway, a narrow-gauge heritage railway, runs during the summer months. At the 2021 census the population of the civil parish was 10,247 and the population of the built up area as defined by the Office for National Statistics was 8,425.
Compare prices across Booking.com, Airbnb, Expedia, and more. Select your dates to see availability.
Pick your must-haves once: provider links open pre-filtered. Each filter lists which sites it applies to.
Compare before you book!
Prices can vary significantly between platforms. We recommend checking at least 2-3 sites to find the best deal for your stay in Launceston.
Discover famous landmarks, scenic roads, and more near Launceston.
Launceston offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.
Plan your road trip to Launceston with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Launceston as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.
Launceston is located in England, United Kingdom, Europe. The coordinates are 50.6370 latitude, -4.3601 longitude.
Launceston has a population of approximately 8,910 people, making it a town in United Kingdom.
Add to your itinerary
Start planning your road trip with Launceston as a destination. Create a custom route and discover more amazing places along the way.
Start Road TripDiscover destinations like Tinder
Swipe through stunning destinations near Launceston. Save your favourites and add them to your trip.
Essential numbers in United Kingdom
112 also works. NHS non-emergency medical advice: 111. National Highways breakdown assistance on motorways: 0300 123 5000.
Full driving guide for United Kingdom8 notable places within an hour's drive.
famous road
Spectacular coastal road running through north Devon and Cornwall past dramatic cliffs, surfing beaches and picturesque harbour villages.
25 km · about 30 min drive
waterfall
A mystical 60-foot waterfall that bores through a holed rock in a fern-draped wooded glen near Tintagel.
26 km · about 30 min drive
castle
Dramatic clifftop ruins steeped in Arthurian legend, connected to the mainland by a striking modern footbridge above the Atlantic.
28 km · about 35 min drive
natural wonder
Stunted, moss-drowned oaks growing between granite boulders form one of Britain's last high-altitude temperate rainforests, long linked with Druid legend. A 20-minute walk from the Two Bridges car park on Dartmoor.
29 km · about 35 min drive
national park
Wild and ancient moorland dotted with granite tors, Bronze Age settlements and roaming Dartmoor ponies across 368 square miles of Devon.
32 km · about 35 min drive
landmark
The UK's largest aquarium in Plymouth dedicated to ocean conservation with Atlantic Ocean and deep reef exhibits.
34 km · about 40 min drive
landmark
Impossibly steep cobbled fishing village cascading down to a tiny harbour, where donkeys once carried goods and no cars are permitted.
40 km · about 45 min drive
landmark
Spectacular complex of enormous biome domes nestled in a former clay pit, housing the world's largest indoor rainforest.
41 km · about 45 min drive
April to October
Other places to explore near Launceston.
Create your perfect itinerary with our calendar-based planner. Add stops, discover attractions along the way, and share your trip with friends.
Start Planning