Launceston

Ancient stones dot the moorland around this medieval market town, where Norman ramparts still guard steep cobbled streets. Launceston feels properly Cornish despite sitting just inside the county boundary - all granite cottages and narrow alleyways that wind up from the old town centre.

The castle ruins crown the hill like a broken crown, offering cracking views across Dartmoor's eastern edges. Below, the town's compact centre revolves around the old market square, though it's refreshingly quiet midweek compared to Cornwall's coastal hotspots.

Venture onto Bodmin Moor and you'll find Trewint Tor rising from the heather, while Goodaver stone circle stands silent among the granite outcrops. The landscape here is wild and windswept - more Poldark than picture postcard. Shafts and Adits reveal the area's industrial past, where tin miners once worked beneath these hills.

Reaching Launceston takes a bit of effort. The A30 brings you close, but the final approach involves winding country roads that remind you this is proper Cornwall, not the sanitised bits. Plymouth lies 20 miles southeast if you need a proper city fix.

Staying at one of the nearby holiday parks makes perfect sense for exploring this corner of Cornwall. You're well-placed for moorland walks, ancient sites, and the coast isn't too far either. The town itself rewards a gentle potter, especially if you appreciate places that haven't been polished for tourists. It's real Cornwall, rough edges and all.