Tom’s guidebook
Eat In
Launceston is not the most famous of Cornish destinations, but there is a huge amount to recommend in the local area. I am only scratching the surface of Launceston, Bude/Widemouth Bay (included because these are our nearest beaches) here. I will try and add to this over time. If you would like any recommendations of anything further afield, please don't hesitate to ask.
Best butcher in the south west. Supplies many of the top restaurants in the region and in London as well.
10 locals recommend
Philip Warren & Son
2 Pennygillam WayBest butcher in the south west. Supplies many of the top restaurants in the region and in London as well.
You probably won't need Gardening supplies, but they have a great food section full of excellent local produce, the best ready meals around, as well as cafe and also a good selection of countryside clothing.
9 locals recommend
Homeleigh Garden Centre
You probably won't need Gardening supplies, but they have a great food section full of excellent local produce, the best ready meals around, as well as cafe and also a good selection of countryside clothing.
A bigger, probably more expensive version of the Homeleigh food shop, and it is a bit further away. There is also PYO strawberries in the summer.
44 locals recommend
Lifton Farm Shop
Fore StreetA bigger, probably more expensive version of the Homeleigh food shop, and it is a bit further away. There is also PYO strawberries in the summer.
Our nearest supermarket. Not the biggest, but has all the essentials and is the most convenient if you only need a couple of things.
Co-op Food - Launceston
Our nearest supermarket. Not the biggest, but has all the essentials and is the most convenient if you only need a couple of things.
A huge Tesco that is open 24/7 located on the A30 at Launceston, about a 10 minute drive from the house.
76 locals recommend
Tesco Superstore
Sarah's LaneA huge Tesco that is open 24/7 located on the A30 at Launceston, about a 10 minute drive from the house.
The lack (well, there aren't any) of takeaways that deliver to outside of town make this place very useful. We always find that having a meal's worth, or two, of m&s ready meals in the fridge/freezer is always a good idea for those evenings when the day has gotton away from you and cooking a full meal is just too much bother.
7 locals recommend
M&S Launceston Foodhall
The lack (well, there aren't any) of takeaways that deliver to outside of town make this place very useful. We always find that having a meal's worth, or two, of m&s ready meals in the fridge/freezer is always a good idea for those evenings when the day has gotton away from you and cooking a full meal is just too much bother.
Ok, so technically this could be in the eat out section, but we have only ever used it for takeaways. Which, I'm afraid, you have to collect yourself. You can order over the phone in advance, however. great curry house for a small town especially.
Sagor Tandoori
6 Western RoadOk, so technically this could be in the eat out section, but we have only ever used it for takeaways. Which, I'm afraid, you have to collect yourself. You can order over the phone in advance, however. great curry house for a small town especially.
We are very lucky to have an amazing microbrewery in Launceston, located conveniently (for me at least) just down the road from Warren's butcher. They do a great range of ales, and the best lager I have drunk in a long time. The brewery is open most days for direct sales, and tasting sessions can also be arranged in their tap room. highly recommended!
Firebrand Brewing Co
We are very lucky to have an amazing microbrewery in Launceston, located conveniently (for me at least) just down the road from Warren's butcher. They do a great range of ales, and the best lager I have drunk in a long time. The brewery is open most days for direct sales, and tasting sessions can also be arranged in their tap room. highly recommended!
Eat out
This could go in the 'eat-in' category, as there is a farm shop, but of the three farm shops on this list, this one is probably the most expensive. However, they have a brilliant restaurant with a seasonal menu consisiting of as much local produce as they can. And it is not expensive. go figure. Booking advised, especially for 'peak' times like friday evening and sunday lunch.
27 locals recommend
Tre, Pol & Pen
This could go in the 'eat-in' category, as there is a farm shop, but of the three farm shops on this list, this one is probably the most expensive. However, they have a brilliant restaurant with a seasonal menu consisiting of as much local produce as they can. And it is not expensive. go figure. Booking advised, especially for 'peak' times like friday evening and sunday lunch.
Our favourite local family restaurant, with beautiful views over our favourite family beach, Widemouth Bay. Always fantastic service, and a great family-friendly menu.
46 locals recommend
Bay View Inn
Our favourite local family restaurant, with beautiful views over our favourite family beach, Widemouth Bay. Always fantastic service, and a great family-friendly menu.
Another Widemouth Bay eatery, they serve pizza in the garden in the summer, and great italian food inside all year round. very good cocktails so make sure you trick someone else in your party into driving for you!
54 locals recommend
Elements Hotel and Restaurant
20 Summerleaze CrescentAnother Widemouth Bay eatery, they serve pizza in the garden in the summer, and great italian food inside all year round. very good cocktails so make sure you trick someone else in your party into driving for you!
Launceston has a vegetarian-friendly, sourdough, cafe. and it is fantastic, even if you are not a vegetarian (which you may have gathered, I am not). A great place to stop if you feel like exploring our historic, little market town.
13 locals recommend
Little Bakehouse @ Launceston
26 Church StLaunceston has a vegetarian-friendly, sourdough, cafe. and it is fantastic, even if you are not a vegetarian (which you may have gathered, I am not). A great place to stop if you feel like exploring our historic, little market town.
Lanson's (to give it it's local pronounciation) gastropub. good food and an even better selection of local gins (of which there are many, so book a taxi).
8 locals recommend
The Eagle House Hotel
3 Castle StLanson's (to give it it's local pronounciation) gastropub. good food and an even better selection of local gins (of which there are many, so book a taxi).
The Arundell Arms Hotel
1 Fore Stbest local 'fine dining' for special occasions.
Life's A Beach
great seafood eats just down the road from us in Bude.
cornish-spanish fusion tapas within walking distance of a great beach. what is not to like about this.
45 locals recommend
The Bank at Bude Tapas and Grill
cornish-spanish fusion tapas within walking distance of a great beach. what is not to like about this.
One Michelin Star Fish Restaurant in Port Isaac, a 40 minute scenic drive from the Lodge.
72 locals recommend
Outlaw's New Road
6 New RdOne Michelin Star Fish Restaurant in Port Isaac, a 40 minute scenic drive from the Lodge.
Places and Activities
great place to learn to ride, or pick up riding from where you left off. If there are three or, four of you, or more, you can arrange a hack out around the estate the Lodge is situated on. They also host horse trials a couple of times a year.
6 locals recommend
St Leonards Equestrian Centre
great place to learn to ride, or pick up riding from where you left off. If there are three or, four of you, or more, you can arrange a hack out around the estate the Lodge is situated on. They also host horse trials a couple of times a year.
a really under-rated and friendly golf club with fantastic views over north Cornwall. very reasonable green fees, and if you haven't played in a while it is well worth booking in with the pro for a lesson.
6 locals recommend
Launceston Golf Club
North Streeta really under-rated and friendly golf club with fantastic views over north Cornwall. very reasonable green fees, and if you haven't played in a while it is well worth booking in with the pro for a lesson.
Our favourite local beach, about 20 minutes away if you stick to the larger roads, but can be done in less if you brave the lanes. Very sandy for the most part but also some rockpools at low tide, good surf (lessons available), plenty of parking and good amenities. Spend the afternoon in the waves, have a meal and then head up on to the cliffs to watch the sunset. Probably our favourite way to spend a sunny afternoon and evening.
161 locals recommend
Widemouth Bay
Our favourite local beach, about 20 minutes away if you stick to the larger roads, but can be done in less if you brave the lanes. Very sandy for the most part but also some rockpools at low tide, good surf (lessons available), plenty of parking and good amenities. Spend the afternoon in the waves, have a meal and then head up on to the cliffs to watch the sunset. Probably our favourite way to spend a sunny afternoon and evening.
Our second favourite local beach, but can get a bit busier than Widemouth, especially at high tide as it essentially part of Bude. but makes up fro it with all the great shops and places to eat being so close to the beach.
80 locals recommend
Summerleaze Beach
Summerleaze CrescentOur second favourite local beach, but can get a bit busier than Widemouth, especially at high tide as it essentially part of Bude. but makes up fro it with all the great shops and places to eat being so close to the beach.
An all-weather day out, just 10 minutes down the A30. Indoor activities include bowling, dodgems and the biggest soft play area I have ever seen. Outdoors there are animals, more play areas and golf.
40 locals recommend
Trethorne Leisure Park
An all-weather day out, just 10 minutes down the A30. Indoor activities include bowling, dodgems and the biggest soft play area I have ever seen. Outdoors there are animals, more play areas and golf.
Hidden Valley
A good family half-day out, if you like solving mysteries!
Great day out for the kids riding steam trains, indoor and outdoor play, woodland walks and more.
https://www.lappavalley.co.uk/
63 locals recommend
Lappa Valley
Great day out for the kids riding steam trains, indoor and outdoor play, woodland walks and more.
https://www.lappavalley.co.uk/
Dingles Fairground Heritage Centre
Great indoor fun for all ages.
Sightseeing
Enjoy epic views and a bit of ancient history at the place King Arthur was supposed to have been born. The village of Tintagel offers a load of pasty shops and pubs to fuel you, and also a large number of shops selling King Arthur related tat.
299 locals recommend
Tintagel Castle bridge
South West Coast PathEnjoy epic views and a bit of ancient history at the place King Arthur was supposed to have been born. The village of Tintagel offers a load of pasty shops and pubs to fuel you, and also a large number of shops selling King Arthur related tat.
Beautiful and traditional Cornish fishing village, just down the coast from Tintagel.
166 locals recommend
Boscastle
Beautiful and traditional Cornish fishing village, just down the coast from Tintagel.
A small harbour village tucked into the coastline. The scene for the TV series Doc Martin amongst many other shows. Some great little eateries and shops to found here.
258 locals recommend
Port Isaac
A small harbour village tucked into the coastline. The scene for the TV series Doc Martin amongst many other shows. Some great little eateries and shops to found here.
Our most local attraction. Launcest was, for a long time, the capital of Cornwall. Enjoy stunning views across North Cornwall and South Devon/Dartmoor if you climb to the top.
43 locals recommend
Launceston Castle
Castle DykeOur most local attraction. Launcest was, for a long time, the capital of Cornwall. Enjoy stunning views across North Cornwall and South Devon/Dartmoor if you climb to the top.