This panoramic picture was taken from the harbour wall at Charlestown. The sea here sometimes has a bluish tinge to it, a product of clay particles washed into the water. On the satellite image you can again see two tall ships moored in the harbour if you zoom in far enough. this picture was taken late in the afternoon with the sun behind the row of cottages on the west side of the harbour.

Charlestown Harbour - Charlestown visitor guide showing a virtual tour of 'Charlestown Harbour' linked to an interactive map with local and travel information. 360° panoramas from Cornwall.

Charlestown Harbour is near to St Austell in Cornwall. Charlestown is a very popular tourist attraction and surrounded by hotels, bed and breakfast (B&B) and other types of holiday accomodation. It grew from the 18C fishing village of West Polmear, and the harbour is still used by Cornish fishermen today.

The harbour and the surrounding beaches are owned by Square Sail, which ows and runs a small flee to Tall Ships. The masts from two of the tall ships can be seen rising from the inner docks above the surrounding hills. There are often a couple of the tall ships moored here, and they are often open to the public for tours. One of the best known of this fleet was the Maria Assumpta, launched in 1858, but which sadly ran aground and broke up off the Cornish coast in 1995 with the loss of 3 of the crew.

Road: Charlestown is off the A390, just west of St. Austell. Charlestown Road drops all the way to the harbour. There is parking on the road or at the Charlestown Shipwreck, Rescue and Heritage Centre.