Castle · Ruin

Launceston Castle

Launceston, Cornwall
Directions Tickets
  • Open
  • £9 adult · £4.50 child
  • No car park on site
  • English Heritage
Launceston Castle: Launceston Castle
Photo: Tim Hardy · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Source

Quick answer

Checked 14 Oct 2026

Launceston Castle is a ruined castle near Launceston, Cornwall, managed by English Heritage. Adult tickets cost £9, and English Heritage members go free. There is no car park on site.

Launceston Castle opening times

Last checked 17 Oct 2026
  1. Mon 12 Not listed
  2. Tue 13 Not listed
  3. Wed 14 Not listed
  4. Thu 15 Not listed
  5. Fri 16 Not listed
  6. Today Sat 17 10:0016:00
  7. Sun 18 10:0016:00
Opening times by season
Season Dates Days Hours Last entry
Autumn 2026 17 Oct to 1 Nov
Wed to Sun
10:00 to 16:00
 15:30

Opening times change with the season and can change at short notice. Check the official site before you travel.

Launceston Castle tickets and prices

2026 prices · checked 14 Oct 2026
Ticket prices
Ticket On the day
Adult £9
Concession £8.10
Child £4.50
Family £22.70
English Heritage members Free
Book on the English Heritage site

Getting to Launceston Castle and parking

Plan your route

These open in your own maps app. Nothing is sent from this page until you choose one.

Directions to Launceston Castle View on a map
Parking
No car park on site, paid. No site parking; NCP pay-and-display multi-storey opposite the castle. Accessible parking (staff car park) by prior arrangement, 01566 772365. NCP multi-storey opposite (pay and display).
By train
Gunnislake is 10.4 miles away.
Public transport
Nearest stop Launceston Westgate Street, 0.2 mile. Go Cornwall 12, 78/78A, 79, 306, 425, 426; Stagecoach 85.

Dogs, accessibility and facilities

Accessibility

Partly step-free
  • Step-free: in parts of the site.
  • Paths and surfaces: Disabled access to outer bailey, exhibition and shop (side gate); six steps to shop; 64 steps to keep; mostly tarmac paths, level and sloping, grassed paths round the motte.
  • Accessible toilet: no.
Full access statement

Food and facilities

  • Shop Yes
  • Picnic area Yes

What to see at Launceston Castle

  • 01

    Keep

    The main fortified tower of the castle.

  • 02

    Gatehouse

    The fortified main entrance.

  • 03

    Exhibition

    Displays and exhibitions to see.

  • 04

    Views

    Notable views from the site.

History of Launceston Castle

  1. c.1068 Count Brian of Brittany establishes the castle
  2. 1086 Listed in Domesday Book, held by Count Robert of Mortain
  3. 1227 Richard made Earl of Cornwall; he later rebuilds in stone and refashions the shell keep
  4. 1337 Edward III makes his son Edward Duke of Cornwall; castle surveyed

Photos

Castles near Launceston Castle

All 7 castles in Cornwall

FAQs

When is Launceston Castle open?

In the autumn 2026 season it opens Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday from 10:00 to 16:00. Check the opening times above for the other seasons and closed dates.

Where do you park at Launceston Castle?

There is no car park on site. NCP multi-storey opposite (pay and display).

How much does it cost to visit Launceston Castle?

Adult tickets cost £9, and English Heritage members go free.

Sources

Every fact on this page last verified 14 Oct 2026
Suggest a correction
  1. Page on english-heritage.org.uk · checked 17 Oct 2026
  2. Wikidata · checked 17 Oct 2026
  3. Page on english-heritage.org.uk · checked 14 Oct 2026
  4. Page on english-heritage.org.uk · checked 14 Oct 2026
  5. Page on english-heritage.org.uk · checked 14 Oct 2026
  6. Page on english-heritage.org.uk · checked 14 Oct 2026
  7. Page on english-heritage.org.uk · checked 14 Oct 2026

We are independent and not affiliated with English Heritage. Prices and times can change at short notice, so check the operator's site on the day. How we check our data