Charlestown

Charlestown is a picturesque village located next to St Austell; it has largely escaped ‘development’ and remains one of the finest and most fascinating places on the Cornish coast. The harbour, with its large collection of ship wrecks is used regularly in films, they have brought work and life to the quays and harbour buildings and are a particular draw for visitors.

Charlestown is one of the finest examples of late eighteenth century industrial harbour works in Britain. It was purposely built in 1801 for the import of coal and china clay and still remains an unspoilt port, and a permanent berth for square-riggers.

Charlestown Shipwreck and Heritage Centre is a superb museum exhibiting the largest private collection of shipwreck artefacts in Europe. The collection has been put together over the past 50 years and includes items recovered from over 150 vessels.