Here we are again - another bank holiday!
With restrictions eased from 17th May, and the weather FINALLY brightening up, it looks like we will be able to get out and about this bank holiday weekend.
We thought we would put together a little list of activity ideas in and around the Launceston area to give you some inspiration on how to spend your sunny bank holiday weekend.
A walk around Launceston Castle grounds
Although Launceston Castle is temporarily closed, the grounds around it, including the ruins of the old shell-keep and the North Gatehouse which once served as a grisly prison, are still open to the public. Enjoy a walk around the grounds, take a look at the informative signs on the history of the Norman castle and stand in the ruins where people hundreds of years ago would have lived and worked. Afterwards, you might want to throw down a blanket and enjoy a picnic with family or friends - make sure you check out your incoming summer edition of Launceston Life magazine to get some inspiration for the perfect summer picnic, featuring local produce from our fabulous independent shops.
Tre, Pol & Pen’s Grill and Chill
Fancy a night off from cooking? Tre, Pol & Pen, based at Lezant just outside of Launceston, is hosting a Grill and Chill BBQ evening with live music this Saturday, 29th May.
Grab your friends and head to the Tre, Pol & Pen courtyard, where their chefs will be grilling delicious BBQ food along with salads and sides, while you enjoy live music from local band The Space Cowboys.
Booking is essential - go to https://trepolandpen.co.uk/pages/events
Beer and pizza at Firebrand Brewing Co
If you want to kickstart your bank holiday weekend early, head over to Firebrand Brewing Co’s taproom today from 4pm where you will be able to try some of their fantastic beers - 10 taps and a selection of cans are available.
And while you sip on delicious beer, why not treat yourself to a fresh sourdough pizza? Sourdoughlicious will be cooking up a storm with their freshly prepared pizzas.
Booking is advisable - email taproom@firebrandbrewing.co.uk to secure a table.
A walk around Roadford Lake
Roadford Lake is just outside of Launceston and requires a drive in the car to get there from town, but is perfect for a sunny bank holiday walk. Take your dog and kids and head over to walk its various routes around the lake and through the woods. Once you’ve finished your walk, pop into the Roadford Lake cafe to indulge in a coffee and slice of cake.
Eating in Launceston
If you fancy treating yourself to some good food, why not take a leisurely trip into Launceston to find some good grub?
There are plenty of places in town to find good food, including fine dining at the Eagle House Hotel, the only gin hotel in Cornwall, in their beautiful restaurant, bar and terrace; the amazing takeaway options from Westgate Street Deli, as well as their delicious produce to take home; and fresh sourdough, pastries and lunch options at The Little Bakehouse.
If you venture just outside of Launceston, you will find Cowslip Cafe at Cowslip Workshops, offering all kinds of lunch options as well as fantastic Sunday roasts. Liberty Coffee in town offers delicious cakes and amazing coffee, as well as other light bites - trust us, their brownie is out of this world!
And if you want to get a great farm to fork experience, there are many farm shops and restaurants around the Launceston area - including Lifton Strawberry Fields and Tre, Pol & Pen.
Sometimes all you want is a good pub meal. Luckily, there are plenty of lovely country pubs in the area where you can get a lovely meal with your favourite tipple. Do your research and you’ll come across wonderful pubs in and around the town.
Walk the town
Launceston is deeply historic, and if you look closely at the different buildings and areas of town, there is much to uncover.
Why not have a walk around the town to find out a bit more about its past? Start from Launceston Castle, head along Castle Street to the Grade I listed St Mary Magdalene Church, then walk around the back of the Market House Arcade until you reach the side of the Bakers Arms, once a thriving public house, and to the Arch. Go down Angel Hill, then carry on down the very steep Ridgegrove Hill until you come across a charming little cottage with a blue plaque. This is Cyprus Well, the former home of Launceston poet Charles Causley.
If you like, head back up Ridgegrove Hill and walk along Dockacre Road (but be careful, it’s a narrow and busy road). You will come across a little path called the Zig Zag. Walk down it and you will come to where it used to connect to Launceston Railway. If you then make your way onto the main road of St Thomas Road, then turn left where the River Kensey runs along, you will also find another former home of Charles Causley, as well as St Thomas the Apostle Church. In the graveyard, Charles Causley’s grave can be found, and if you delve deeper into the church grounds, you will come across the old ruins of Launceston Priory.
To finish the walk, you can walk up past the church, and if you follow the road around you will find yourself on the bridge which overlooks the old railway.