Launceston sits at the head of the Tamar Valley in east Cornwall, just inside the border with Devon. Perched above the River Kensey, the town’s hilltop position gives views towards Bodmin Moor and its Norman stronghold, Launceston Castle, still dominates a compact, historic core.
Today Launceston is a busy market town and local service centre with Georgian streets, independent shops, a local museum and regular markets; tourism, agriculture and small businesses underpin the economy, and good road links on the A30 keep connections to Exeter and the rest of Cornwall. Community events and local food and craft producers help maintain a strong Cornish identity alongside a steady stream of visitors.
Postcode districts covering Launceston
Most populated places nearby
- Plymouth 20.4 miles32.9 km
- Saltash 16.8 miles27.1 km
- Bodmin 19.6 miles31.5 km
- Tavistock 11.6 miles18.7 km
Neighbouring places
- Launceston South Ward 0.7 miles1.1 km
- Withnoe Built-up area 1.2 miles1.9 km
- St. Stephens by Launceston Rural Parish 1.3 miles2.1 km
- St. Thomas the Apostle Rural Parish 1.7 miles2.7 km
- South Petherwin Parish 2.1 miles3.3 km
- Lawhitton Rural Parish 2.1 miles3.4 km
- Werrington Parish 2.8 miles4.5 km
- St. Giles on the Heath Parish 3.6 miles5.8 km
- Lezant Parish 3.6 miles5.8 km
- Launceston North & North Petherwin Ward 3.8 miles6.2 km
- Lewannick Built-up area 4 miles6.4 km
- Lifton Built-up area 4 miles6.5 km
Example postcodes in Launceston
PL15 8HY, PL15 9BD, PL15 8EB, PL15 7FY, PL15 7AE, PL15 9GZ, PL15 9DU, PL15 7PJ, PL15 9HL … See all
Transport links
- Newquay Cornwall Airport 30.7 miles49.3 km
- Exeter International Airport 42.3 miles68.1 km
- Gunnislake Railway Station 10.6 miles17 km
- Calstock Railway Station 11.8 miles19 km
Hotels near Launceston Ad
- The Eagle House Hotel 0.3 miles0.5 km
- Trethorne Hotel & Golf Club 4 2.5 miles4.1 km
- The Arundell 3.7 miles6 km
- Hotel Endsleigh 5.5 miles8.8 km
Schools in Launceston
- Launceston College Secondary
- St Catherine's C of E Primary School Primary
- St Stephens Community Academy Primary
- Windmill Hill Academy Primary
Local points of interest
- Hingston Down Hill 9.6 miles15.5 km
- Millook Haven Harbour 13.2 miles21.3 km
- Buckator Beach Beach 14 miles22.5 km
- Bude Haven Harbour 16.1 miles26 km
- Wistman's Wood National Nature Reserve Nature reserve 18.3 miles29.5 km
- Antony Estate Estate 18.4 miles29.6 km
- Boconnoc Estate 18.7 miles30 km
- Brightley Priory Historic site 18.7 miles30.1 km
- Home Park Stadium 19.6 miles31.6 km
- Tregantle Beach Beach 20 miles32.2 km