Launceston Castle, Cornwall

Launceston castle is a Norman motte and bailey earthwork castle raised by Robert, Count of Mortain, half-brother of William the Conqueror around 1067.

Launceston became the administrative headquarters for the powerful Earls of Cornwall where they could control the vast estates that they owned throughout the area.

The castle had little development carried out apart from an inner keep added in the 12th century. During the 13th century, Richard, Earl of Cornwall, a younger brother of Henry III began to rebuild the castle in stone. The tower was constructed from a darker stone than the rest of the castle, with two rooms. A new great hall was constructed within the confines of the 12th century bailey, which remained in use until the early 17th century as an Assize Hall.

In 1548, before the Prayer Book Rebellion, 28 Cornishmen were rounded up and taken at gunpoint to Launceston Castle, (also referred to as Castle Terrible), where many were hanged, drawn and quartered following the killing of one of Thomas Cranmer's men, William Body. The castle then fell into disrepair, despite still holding the local Assizes and the jail. George Fox, founder of the Quakers, suffered harsh confinement here in 1656.

During the Civil War, the castle's walls and defences were in such a poor state of repair that the Parliamentarian army did not bother to damage them when they gained control of the castle from the Royalists. In 1646 the castle was used as the base for the Cornish Royalist defence of Cornwall.

After this only the north gatehouse was habitable. It was partially demolished in 1764 to provide stone for an impressive new house which was built immediately outside the north gate. In 1838 the assizes and the seat of county government were moved from Launceston to Bodmin. The jail, the last remaining building in the castle grounds, was demolished and the Duke of Northumberland had the castle landscaped and turned into a public park and garden.

A display traces 1,000 years of history, with finds from site excavations. Visitors can climb the battlements for impressive views of the surrounding country side. There is a souvenir shop.

(Photographs courtesy of Trish and Chris Seymour.)

Opening Times

Open daily April to October at 10:00.

Closing times vary - please check the website.

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Ticket Prices

Adults: £3.40
Children: £2.00 (5-15 years)
Concessions: £3.10

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Disabled Facilities

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