Location: Launceston
Top Things to do in Launceston
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What to do and see in Launceston, England: The Best Budget-friendly Things to do
Launceston west of the middle stage of the River Tamar, which constitutes almost the entire border between Cornwall and Devon. The landscape of the town is generally steep particularly at a sharp south-western knoll topped by Launceston Castle.
Restaurants in Launceston
1. Tamar Otter and Wildlife Centre
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 884 reviews
Reviewed By Jillsonia - Nuneaton, United Kingdom
Visited today and we were so impressed. Such a wonderful place to be if you love animals. All of the staff were friendly, helpful and informative. The birds of prey talk was really interesting, we learned so much and were given the opportunity to stroke and hold the birds. The otter talk taught us so much and the otters were very entertaining and adorable, although rather pongy!! Lots of animals wander around and are very tame, there is a 3 legged muntjac deer who loves to have his chest rubbed and he approaches people to stroke him. Peacocks roam freely and at the start of the woodland are we walked around wallabies and beautiful deer. Many other animals and birds wander around. The cafe was great, reasonably priced and lovely freshly prepared food. I have some mobility issues and there are a few slopes but it is quite manageable. I would recommend this place as a brilliant activity for people of all ages.
2. Charlie Bears
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 126 reviews
***Please note that The Bearhouse Gallery is currently closed due to Covid-19. However, our shop is open with a maximum of 4 people in the shop at one time*** This is your pawfect chance you visit The Bearhouse and immerse yourself in the imagination and whimsy of our creator Charlotte Morris! This is a wonderfully unique experience which allows you to see a variety of bears from the first 14 years of Charlie Bears and you can also adopt a bear cub to take home too! This is a day out which is suitable for all ages and it is sure to make everyone smile!
Reviewed By 219AngelaB - Launceston, United Kingdom
Visited today with my 2year old granddaughters. Held their interest for well over an hour, much helped by the wonderful young lady in the shop/entrance. No sales pressure whatsoever but she directed their attention to countless displays and interacted brilliantly. Visited last year with my elder granddaughter for a bear hunt and that was also excellent and entertaining for any age. Once again the lady we saw was excellent. A wonderful place to visit anytime.
3. The Hidden Valley Discovery Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 980 reviews
Reviewed By solarpurple - Swindon, United Kingdom
We visited here today after passing the sign and wondering what it was. A quick Google and a straightforward booking process later and we arrived at 11am to be greeted by name and welcomed in. We didn’t really know what to expect but had a great day exploring and puzzling. Our three year old loved the Indiana Jones trail, the playground, the train and the Tibbohton houses, while us adults really enjoyed channeling our inner child following the Sherlock Holmes trail and the Forbidden Mansion. Oh, and the cakes and drinks too! We wondered if there would be enough to do, but we were there for nearly 5 hours and didn’t even do the maze or finish the Sherlock trail - it was genuinely challenging and we gave up looking for the clues in the end, opting for a brownie and flapjack break instead! Everything seemed to be done well for COVID precautions and we felt very safe there. All in all, a great day out. Highly recommend and, given the trails change regularly through the year, we’ll definitely visit again!
4. New Mills Farm Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 186 reviews
5. Lawrence House Museum
6. Launceston Tourist Information Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 32 reviews
Tourist/Visitor Centre
7. The Bell Inn
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 51 reviews
Reviewed By J6100IMpaulh - Launceston, United Kingdom
This is an excellent pub where you can get some peace and quiet. No jukebox or tv. 6 Landlord, Ivor keeps 6 real ales flowing and 3 Ciders. His wife Linda is really nice too. Good luck to them, Darren.
8. St Mary Magdalen Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 29 reviews
Reviewed By jollyrobert - Bridgend, United Kingdom
We were visiting this attractive town, once the capital of Cornwall, on a very wet, Saturday afternoon in early November, for no other reason than we had never done so, preferring to rush past on the dualled A30 on our way to Penzance. The town was offering an early Christmas market, but visitors were clearly put off by the damp and chill conditions. It was during this dispiriting weather that we noticed this church, unusually dedicated to Mary Magdalene, by the extraordinary exterior granite walls that had carvings of biblical themes as well as heraldic designs. Inside the church, a living community worshipped as evidenced from its warm and welcoming feel, with areas of activity throughout, not just religious. One standard stood out, "Royale et Loyale" proclaiming loyalty to the Crown during the Civil War. There are so many other features, too numerous to mention, save to say that this church, this town and its people deserve better than being by-passed. One note of discord, having found our way into town, and found parking on the pannier market, we took an inordinately long time to work out the one-way system to escape. Not well-marked or sign-posted Launceston!
9. Launceston Castle
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 277 reviews
Set on a large natural mound with an unusual keep consisting of a 13th-century round tower inside an earlier shell keep. George Fox, founder of the Quakers, suffered harsh imprisonment here in 1656. Dog friendly and child friendly.
Reviewed By Camper63643653762
I loved Launceston Castle. Visited on a sunny Friday morning and we had the castle to ourselves. The staff were very friendly in the ticket office/shop. The castle itself is very interesting and the views are beautiful from the top. Well worth a visit.
10. Trethorne Leisure Park
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 405 reviews
Trethorne Leisure Park is an all weather family fun day out with large indoor and outdoor play areas and animals. Separately there is also ten pin bowling, dodgems, games arcade restaurant & bar. Indoor Play: Soft play area, tots tractors, assault course, bungee run, pillow bash, disco dome, drop slide, astra slide, multi level ball blasting arena, sand pit, ball pools and trampolines. Outdoor Play: Paddle boats, traverse climbing wall, jumping pillow, crazy golf, zorb football, aerial glide, adventure climbing frame and much more! Animals: Hand milk the cow and hold the guinea pigs and rabbits in our 'In touch with animals' session. Separately we also have: 8 lanes of Ten Pin Bowling, Dodgems, Games Arcade, Restaurant & Bar. Evenings: The ten pin bowling, dodgems, games arcade and restaurant are also open evenings (close 6pm on Sundays. Conferences: We have three conference rooms available to hire. There is a large free car park on site and free WiFi.
Reviewed By michaelabberley - Chesterfield, United Kingdom
This place is always on our 'must do' list when we visit Cornwall - if you have young children, they will be busy all day long; either outside on the various swings, slides and trampolines; in the barn petting the very friendly goats or inside for the dodgems, ten pin bowling and endless amusement arcade machines. The people are always friendly - especially the lady who leads the ponies around for the children in the courtyard. Excellent value and great fun come rain or shine.
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