Charlestown Harbour

Built between1791 and 1801, by local landowner Charles Rashleigh, Charlestown Harbour has managed to remain one of the finest ports in Cornwall since opening.

Originally it was built for the export of copper and import of coal but when china clay was mined locally the port really began to expand and the small village of West Polmear ,as it was then known, grew from about 9 inhabitants to 3000 in a very short time.

Small businesses started to come into the port area such as pilchard curing, ship building, brick making and lime burning and the village was renamed Charlestown.

Many attractive Georgian houses were built and the village became a popular and busy place to live. Up to the present day Charlestown has managed to remain largely unspoilt and keeps much of its Georgian character which has in turn meant it is a very popular location for film and television. Films such as "The Four Musketeers and " and more recently the new Alice in Wonderland film featuring Johnny Depp have been filmed there.

In fact Cestria Bed and Breakfast played host to the catering crew during filming in the 1970's of The eagle has landed starring Michael Caine, Robert Duvall and Donald Sutherland. This, for short periods of time, brings some trade to the local economy and helps to prevent over development of the area.

The harbour today is owned by a company called Square Sail who own a fleet of Tall Ships and you will often find a ship at the port which, in the summer ,may be open to the public for tours. In fact in the film Apocalypto directed by Mel Gibson these ships were filmed in one of the scenes.

There is also the Shipwreck, Rescue and Heritage museum which contains exhibits relating to Charlestown port and more general ship wreck salvage from around the Cornish coast. The pirate featured in the centre shares the same family name as your hosts at Cestria ,Bennallack, but no need to worry the Bennallack family are no longer in the wrecking trade.

Charlestown also boasts an abundance of good quality places to wine and dine, The Rashleigh Arms, The Harbour side, The Bosun's Diner, and the Pier House Hotel.