From the Cove shop
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Built in the late 1700s and named after Charles Rashleigh, Charlestown is a beautifully preserved Georgian harbour near St Austell. Once a busy port for exporting china clay, it is now famous for its resident tall ships and starring role in Poldark.
Harbour guide
A simple guide to the feel of the place, how to arrive, and what to keep in mind before you go.
Charlestown has the kind of harbour character we love: practical, weathered, and full of small details that reward a slower look.
Harbour strolls, seafood, families, boat watching and coastal photos.
A few useful Down The Cove picks connected to this read.
Arrive early in peak season where possible, and leave time for parking, slopes and narrow streets.
A good family read before a visit: talk about boats, tides, old buildings and how harbour life works.
Check tides, parking and opening times if you are visiting for food, boat trips or a family wander.
Read straight through, or use the planning notes above to shape an easier coastal day.
Charlestown used to be called West Polmear but the name was changed to Charles's town after Charles Rashleigh. This later became Charlestown. Charlestown is a busy port used for the exportation of china clay.
Porthpean
Porthpean is a small hamlet made up of Lower Porthpean and Higher Porthpean. The beach here is safe and sheltered and therefore ideal for families.
Par
Par is a fishing port and harbour. The harbour and beach are south of the actual town of Par. Par is a port that is used for the exportation of china clay.
Polkerris
Polkerris has a harbour and a small beach. The beach is sheltered by a curved harbour wall.
The RNLI stationed a lifeboat at Polkerris between 1859 and 1922.
A few useful Down The Cove picks connected to this read.
