Is it worth visiting Charlestown, Cornwall - The black and white village!

In this video we explore Charlestown Harbour. It is situated on the south coast of Cornwall near St Austell. Today it is picture perfect and attracts many tourists, and feels like a film set.
Charlestown was a tiny fishing village called Porthmear. The harbour, as we see it today, was the vision of Charles Rashleigh, a local lawyer, entrepreneur, and mine owner. He wanted the ability to export his tin ore without making a journey over land to Fowey. The harbour made his fortune and he built a large house nearby at Duporth. He also continued to develop Charlestown during the early part of the 1800s and the village is, in fact, named after him. Sadly, he died a pauper and his story is fascinating!
During the 19th century, the harbour was used to export china clay to the northern potteries. Tunnels from the china clay dry were built underground to maintain the free movement of traffic above. In this video we explore the Shipwreck Treasure Museum, home to these tunnels. Many thanks for the free entry to the museum.
The last export of china clay was in 1992, when the harbour became the backdrop to many films and tv productions like Alice in Wonderland, Poldark, Dr Who and Bait, amongst others.
The standard description bit…
We are Sarah and Andrew and we film our walks around Cornwall and publish on KZread, usually weekly. Sometimes we stay in accommodation in Cornwall and upload our vlog. Sarah is fascinated by sea glass and likes to collect it so there may be the occasional sea glass video too. The channel is a hobby and we both have normal day jobs!
Frequently asked questions:
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Since December 2018 we have used: Canon Powershot G7x MkII
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Most are still in print although some we pick up in charity shops and may be available on Amazon secondhand. Please refer to the video for the book titles. Every video shows the book three times. Sorry but we can’t put a link in every description.
Best time of year to visit Cornwall?
We love May, June for flora and fauna, July and September for spectacular scenery.
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Пікірлер: 91

  • @bookprincess612
    @bookprincess6122 жыл бұрын

    Every Friday I discover a (new) treasure: Your channel, your videos...... Amazing video !!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

  • @CornishWalkingTrails

    @CornishWalkingTrails

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much 😀

  • @alanwood5590
    @alanwood55902 жыл бұрын

    Thank you Sarah and Andrew. With family connections there and in St Austell I have been visiting Charlestown for 70 years and your walk was full of nostalgia for me. I was there in 1976 during the filming of The Eagle Has Landed and watched them set up the fight scene where someone came crashing through the window. It seemed like hours of setting up for what in the film was only a few seconds of footage.

  • @CornishWalkingTrails

    @CornishWalkingTrails

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for sharing!! Andrew was fascinated by your comment, he loves the film. Sarah :)

  • @stephenransley9377
    @stephenransley93772 жыл бұрын

    i loved it there the only time i felt my dad sitting beside me

  • @lisahopper207
    @lisahopper2072 жыл бұрын

    What a lovely place

  • @joann5271
    @joann52712 жыл бұрын

    You two are absolutely delightful! I accidentally came across you on KZread. You two are great presenters, adding history and movies. These things make the places come alive. Thank you so much! Ty, ty and ty.

  • @CornishWalkingTrails

    @CornishWalkingTrails

    2 жыл бұрын

    Welcome aboard! And thank you for your lovely comment! Sarah :)

  • @garypeacock5919
    @garypeacock59192 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for posting (again), we stayed in Charlestown twice between September 2020 and April 2021, beautiful place to stay, or live. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

  • @CornishWalkingTrails

    @CornishWalkingTrails

    2 жыл бұрын

    totally agree - beautiful! Sarah :)

  • @davidhall7744
    @davidhall7744 Жыл бұрын

    I stay near Charlestown when i’m in Cornwall and love a wee evening walk down the harbour 😉

  • @judybee
    @judybee2 жыл бұрын

    You are fast becoming the Cornish History Channel! What a great vid...BBC should snap you up Sarah...so much more entertaining and informative than some of the documentaries they do! Just back from IOW so late watching this week. Many memories of Charlestown. Stayed there in the 80s & walked over the cliff to see Paul Young at the concert hall! And stayed at Duporth too long long ago....how it has changed now! But there are always little shadows of the past to find arn't there in the landscape. Couldn't finish this without mentioning my beloved Poldark of course! Few years now since we've been & it's changed a bit so look forward to coming back & walking the harbour now. Fab vid. x J x

  • @CornishWalkingTrails

    @CornishWalkingTrails

    2 жыл бұрын

    I remember going to a Car Show in the Coliseum! Last time we visited Carlyon Bay beach, the footprint of Cornwall Coliseum was still there while the planners argued about the proposed hotel/apartment complex! Sarah :)

  • @trevormurray496
    @trevormurray4966 ай бұрын

    Greetings from Port Stephens Australia, I enjoyed your video on Charlestown. In 1976 I was a student at a commercial diving school in Charlestown operated by Richard Larne. The school was in a building known as 'The Long Store' where historically ships masts used to be stored. Students on the course lived in one of the old houses overlooking the dock, while china clay was still being loaded at the time. We used to train in the harbour, at a nearby flooded quarry and off the coast of Fowey. We had our meals in the Pier House hotel. As an aside, walking distance from our home in Australia is one of Rick Stein's 2 Australian restaurants - Bannisters. It is a fine dining seafood establishment and charges accordingly. Fowey is a very pretty place from my memory. All the best from Trevor

  • @jimnorris37
    @jimnorris372 жыл бұрын

    An extremely interesting video. Most of us here in NZ are familiar with the extraordinary voyage of Shackleton and the heroic rescue of his men. It was wonderful to be shown the memories in the Shipwreck Museum. And Charlestown generally is an equally interesting town which we thoroughly enjoyed in your walk through its lanes. The Black and White City story is cool as is the red history of Eleven Doors Lane. Thanks so much.

  • @CornishWalkingTrails

    @CornishWalkingTrails

    2 жыл бұрын

    Ahh, of course! being so close to Antarctica, I guess Shackleton's adventure is well known! We caught part of a documentary about searching for the wreck of the Endurance last week - very interesting! Sarah :_

  • @theresacurran4012
    @theresacurran40122 жыл бұрын

    Thankyou Sarah and Andrew for another wonderful and very educational video, I enjoyed it very much

  • @CornishWalkingTrails

    @CornishWalkingTrails

    2 жыл бұрын

    We enjoyed making this video, just a shame about the weather! Sarah :)

  • @dicksmith180
    @dicksmith1802 жыл бұрын

    21.29 Duporth. A small part of my life I'd totally forgotten! Mad! 76/77? no idea. Worked a few weekends as a trolley boy there lugging luggage up and down from the car park to the chalets for tips. Weird but good memory jolt. Cheers

  • @nickfoster6149
    @nickfoster61492 жыл бұрын

    I live in Duporth and write a history piece for the Duporth residents newsletter, The Duporth Glide, and thought I’d let you know where the Manor House was situated, as you couldn’t find it. The footprint of the house straddles where the residents car park for the Clock Tower Court flats are and the flats themselves (not to be confused with the area where the clock tower is though, the Clock Tower Court flats are opposite that). Great video by the way!

  • @CornishWalkingTrails

    @CornishWalkingTrails

    2 жыл бұрын

    Ahhh! That makes more sense when we put that together with a skim through some of the aerial shots online - we were a bit too high! Amazing how all trace of it has been erased! Sarah :)

  • @peteredwards338
    @peteredwards3382 жыл бұрын

    I was hoping to see Sarah dancing the Charlestown !

  • @CornishWalkingTrails

    @CornishWalkingTrails

    2 жыл бұрын

    I missed a trick there - but I have two left feet! Sarah :)

  • @marieryan2541
    @marieryan25412 жыл бұрын

    Hi Sarah and Andrew. I really love your historic walk round Charlestown today so enjoyable to watch and learnt alot of new things as well.

  • @CornishWalkingTrails

    @CornishWalkingTrails

    2 жыл бұрын

    It's a fascinating place! Sarah :)

  • @dpmurray9795
    @dpmurray97952 жыл бұрын

    Thankyou.

  • @jankitteringham8483
    @jankitteringham848323 күн бұрын

    I wondered if the pottery was still there , and the Atishoo Gallery where I bought a couple of Alan Arthur paintings. I loved this trip. Thankyou both. 🥰🇬🇧

  • @robertwillis9988
    @robertwillis99882 жыл бұрын

    Perfic!!! I asked for a charlestown vid and you delivered🌞🌞👍👍

  • @CornishWalkingTrails

    @CornishWalkingTrails

    2 жыл бұрын

    LOL! Sarah :)

  • @helenbosworth627
    @helenbosworth6272 жыл бұрын

    Brilliant video Sarah and Andrew

  • @kimtozer5517
    @kimtozer55172 жыл бұрын

    Just started watching you. Excellent , love the historic element.

  • @CornishWalkingTrails

    @CornishWalkingTrails

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thank you! Sarah :)

  • @cebusapella9125
    @cebusapella91252 жыл бұрын

    Another fantastic video, Sarah and Andrew, many thanks. I always learn something new when I watch your videos, despite spending the last 30+ years exploring Cornwall! It would be lovely to see you doing a walk maybe along one of the china clay trails one day! It's a part of Cornwall which is often ignored by guide books and tourists. The "Cornish Alps" are fascinating and have their own unique beauty. Many thanks.

  • @CornishWalkingTrails

    @CornishWalkingTrails

    2 жыл бұрын

    You must have read our minds or sneaked a peak at our planner! We are hoping to visit St Martin's China Clay Museum, bring in the social history through Rowse - he has some lovely descriptions of the owners who suddenly found themselves rich! Sarah :)

  • @mikerobson1786
    @mikerobson17862 жыл бұрын

    Particularly good video this one. I have visted Charlestown a couple of times and gave watched other documentaries on its history. This was the best one I have seen. Andrew is a natural historian and when he focuses on historical detail and does not overdo the attempted humour, he is at his best, although I did find the jokes of this video very funny - sometimes less is more if you know what I mean. Setting the time frame as to when the harbour was built, then highlighting that the harbour entrance was expanded as late as the 1970's was all news to me and really surprised me. The water feed, the rail tunnels and the separation between china clay and coal to differnt sides of the harbour was fascinating, as was the film industry links. What really set this video apart from other Charlestown videos was the walkabout. The harbour area having been so well preserved, walk a bit further and Charle's former home is a housing development with only the clock tower and a couple of chalets from the interim holiday park usage, fascinating I thought.

  • @marilynnelson8987
    @marilynnelson89872 жыл бұрын

    I think that this was one of your best and most informative video. Really enjoyed it.

  • @martynlejeune5191
    @martynlejeune51912 жыл бұрын

    Another fabulous video, packed with so much information and so interesting. Charles town certainly has changed since the last time I visited, it always used to be so deadly quiet but well worth a look. I always look forward to your videos, a perfect start to the weekend. 👍

  • @CornishWalkingTrails

    @CornishWalkingTrails

    2 жыл бұрын

    I think they are expecting a crowd by the number of snack shacks on the harbour, but plenty of room for everyone! Sarah :)

  • @loishanson6975
    @loishanson69752 жыл бұрын

    Just came across your videos and really enjoy them. I love that you share history of the area. Your pup is so cute.

  • @sallydingle321
    @sallydingle3212 жыл бұрын

    I'm sorry I missed you.. I walk my dog to Charlestown quite regularly 😁🐾. I feel really bad that I haven't been into the museum and being so local to the area...it looks amazing 👌. I used to be a lifeguard at Duporth when it was a holiday park many moons ago... it's so strange to see how it is now...how things change. Really enjoyed this guys..you always give fantastic history and great humour 😋🙏💝😘

  • @CornishWalkingTrails

    @CornishWalkingTrails

    2 жыл бұрын

    What a shame that we didn't bump into you! We may have been underground when you walked over our heads!! Sarah :)

  • @sallydingle321

    @sallydingle321

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@CornishWalkingTrails ha ha..very possible 😋

  • @carolinetaylor9518
    @carolinetaylor95182 жыл бұрын

    Lovely film. This was just waiting to be made, Charlestown is so photogenic ! Brought back some lovely memories of visits over the years with my children (& my parents too ) on our holidays from Gloucester (which is the UK's most inland port so we see Tall ships here too. ) I love the way you give us a balance of the interesting historical facts with humour in a fun way. Wasn't the Shakleton Exhibition great! The doves had the right idea staying 🕊️

  • @CornishWalkingTrails

    @CornishWalkingTrails

    2 жыл бұрын

    We had a great day exploring and discovering the museum was a bonus! Sarah :)

  • @Beefy2203
    @Beefy2203 Жыл бұрын

    They were filming Poldark a couple of years ago in Charlestown and all on the crew caravans and other vehicles were parked on one of the car parks at Market World, and they would bus the actors and crew to and from in mini buses, got some great photos of some of the actors in full outfits walking around.

  • @lorraineburchett655
    @lorraineburchett6552 жыл бұрын

    Really loved this video. Thank you Sarah and Andrew. The museum looks very interesting. What a lovely time you both had (as always ) shame we live so far away. You are so lucky to live in such a beautiful area

  • @CornishWalkingTrails

    @CornishWalkingTrails

    2 жыл бұрын

    Glad you enjoyed it! Sarah :)

  • @lindacourtemanche5550
    @lindacourtemanche55502 жыл бұрын

    This is a delightful video loaded with interesting historical facts about this villiage. Loved the museum. This is a lovely town. Thanks so much again for sharing your day with us.

  • @CornishWalkingTrails

    @CornishWalkingTrails

    2 жыл бұрын

    You're very welcome, glad you enjoyed it! Sarah :)

  • @allanfettah4686
    @allanfettah46862 жыл бұрын

    Yet another brilliant video by both of you. Informative and entertaining, as always. Makes my week and always wait for these. Helps with us still having to shield. ☹. Thank you both so much. 👍

  • @CornishWalkingTrails

    @CornishWalkingTrails

    2 жыл бұрын

    Wow! Still shielding - well I hope we brighten your week! Sarah :)

  • @allanfettah4686

    @allanfettah4686

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@CornishWalkingTrails Unfortunately we are immuno-compromised and there is no safe vaccine. We are virtually prisoners in our own home. Your videos are an absolute Godsend. 👍

  • @CornishWalkingTrails

    @CornishWalkingTrails

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@allanfettah4686 I feel for you guys, we have experience of immunosuppressed treatment. Thankfully we are ok at the moment. Sarah :)

  • @piersmettrick
    @piersmettrick2 жыл бұрын

    Love Charlestown, was also used in the 90s movie The 3 Musketeers starring Charlie Sheen and Kiefer Sutherland side note his dad Donald was the Irish man Liam in the Eagle has landed, Sheen and Sutherland and the main cast stayed at the carlyon bay hotel

  • @CornishWalkingTrails

    @CornishWalkingTrails

    2 жыл бұрын

    Ohhh! Haw fascinating! Carlyon Bay Hotel is very luxurious! Sarah :)

  • @TheSupermarine40
    @TheSupermarine402 жыл бұрын

    Another interesting walk...as a side note ,when we lived up in the smoke,I found purely by accident Shackletons house ..not far from crystal Palace Park.. A lot bigger than those chalets .!!! Thanks for your efforts again.

  • @CornishWalkingTrails

    @CornishWalkingTrails

    2 жыл бұрын

    You're welcome! Sarah :)

  • @bobbybigboyyes
    @bobbybigboyyes2 жыл бұрын

    The Michael Jackson joke was a bit of a 'Thriller' though I must say that Andrew's singing was pretty 'Bad' ... His joke now has him forever classed as a 'Smooth Criminal' but carry on Andrew, 'Don't Stop Til You Get Enough' ... MJ is not likely to say 'I Want You Back' anytime soon, in fact he might tell you to 'Beat It' ... Great video as always and with your interesting stories about Cornwall. Maybe you should rename your channel 'Cornish Walking Tales' xx : )

  • @CornishWalkingTrails

    @CornishWalkingTrails

    2 жыл бұрын

    Top comment!! Andrew was cracked up! I played the "bad' album to death! Sarah :)

  • @bobbybigboyyes

    @bobbybigboyyes

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@CornishWalkingTrails Thanks Sarah and Andrew. It seems that things are not too 'Bad' after all. My ex wife never agreed with me but "She's Out Of My Life" as sometimes things really are "Black or White" - It's as simple as "ABC" : )

  • @esthermorrissey1454
    @esthermorrissey14542 жыл бұрын

    Well, your ability to story tell is really enthralling with so much information about days gone bye. We really enjoyed visiting Charlestown with you & you really brought the past to life. Really enjoyable.

  • @CornishWalkingTrails

    @CornishWalkingTrails

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thank you! Sarah :)

  • @Tuffydipstick
    @Tuffydipstick2 жыл бұрын

    Nice video. I took my youngest son to Duporth in the early 90s, we stayed at the haven caravan park for a few days. Sad to see it gone. I also went to Charleston. Fascinating place.

  • @CornishWalkingTrails

    @CornishWalkingTrails

    2 жыл бұрын

    Duporth looks very different now with the lovely house and quite contrasting styles all in one development! Sarah :)

  • @jacquelinearcher1158
    @jacquelinearcher11582 жыл бұрын

    The is again another brilliant video…we will be there next week so this is well timed…..we walk along the cliff path from Carlyon Bay.. which is another lovely walk. We have our copy of Cornish Harbours Roland Roddis too.

  • @CornishWalkingTrails

    @CornishWalkingTrails

    2 жыл бұрын

    Ohhh! That book is well written and very entertaining! Sarah :)

  • @TravellingTorunn
    @TravellingTorunn2 жыл бұрын

    I loved watching this video. I recognize it from Poldark :-) But I had no Idea Charlestown had so much to offer. And the museum is amazing. It is a must-do when we get there in 2023 :-) And I appreciate vey much all your research. That makes the videos so educating and interesting. Thank you! Torunn :-)

  • @CornishWalkingTrails

    @CornishWalkingTrails

    2 жыл бұрын

    Hi Torunn, Museum must go on the list - very interesting!! The coast path each side of Charlestown has diversions at the moment, hence why we stayed in the village! Sarah :)

  • @TravellingTorunn

    @TravellingTorunn

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@CornishWalkingTrails this will be along our Falmouth - Plymouth section in June 2023. We will probably have a pause day in Charlestown to visit Eden Project, and now also definitely this museum 😊👍🏻 Hopefully no diversion June 2023 😊 Torunn 😊

  • @Mel-he1hg
    @Mel-he1hg2 жыл бұрын

    Looks very nice

  • @deanmc178
    @deanmc1782 жыл бұрын

    captain birdseye lived near me on the ashdown forest ,sussex ,i think he has passed now , i met him when turning on christmas lights in crowborough some years ago.

  • @CornishWalkingTrails

    @CornishWalkingTrails

    2 жыл бұрын

    How interesting! Did you ask if he liked fish fingers! Sarah :)

  • @deanmc178

    @deanmc178

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@CornishWalkingTrails no I didn't Sarah..but he was a nice Man to meet

  • @colinbaker3415
    @colinbaker34152 жыл бұрын

    Absolutely fascinating as usual. You must spend hours researching your days out! Charlestown was not 'fully open' the last time I visited either so must get down there again, if only to go to the museum. Nice tale about the doves, I'd forgotten they were there.

  • @CornishWalkingTrails

    @CornishWalkingTrails

    2 жыл бұрын

    Andrew reads lots of books in his lunch hour to find these little gems! Sarah :)

  • @suerobertson5132
    @suerobertson51322 жыл бұрын

    Love ur videos,,,,

  • @Fozzytours7.
    @Fozzytours7.2 жыл бұрын

    really nice video

  • @CornishWalkingTrails

    @CornishWalkingTrails

    2 жыл бұрын

    Glad you liked it, Sarah :)

  • @monstrositymunch
    @monstrositymunch2 жыл бұрын

    Daphne du Maurier obtained the lease of menabilly from the rashleigh family in 1943 and lived there for 26 years.

  • @bernicebest
    @bernicebest2 жыл бұрын

    A Wonderfully informative tour as always, the Harbour scene used for ‘Poldark’ brought Back some great memories! a series I’m re-watching, during the ‘Outlander’ ‘Droughtlander’ The Shackleton Exhibition was very interesting! history has it that my Fathers brother was a member of Shackleton’s crew, but nothing was ever verified as he never returned, and the mystery died with my Father! Your little brown friend must be the most well traveled canine in Cornwall, and he loves every second, I noticed you have a very nice sea glass necklace Sarah was wondering if you have made it! I’m still tittering at Andrews Black or White joke! Thank you 🙏 both for another remarkable and interesting 🤨 tour, 🤗

  • @CornishWalkingTrails

    @CornishWalkingTrails

    2 жыл бұрын

    Hi Bernice, Very interesting about your uncle! And yes, I found the piece of sea glass, it's a bottle stopper and made it into a necklace! Sarah :)

  • @bernicebest

    @bernicebest

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@CornishWalkingTrails I guessed you would have made it Sarah being so very artistic, it’s lovely, all those pieces you collected were very nice, looked great in the stack! 👍🤗

  • @kernow..exp.
    @kernow..exp.2 жыл бұрын

    Me and my wife went there when they was filming must be 15 years ago now

  • @CornishWalkingTrails

    @CornishWalkingTrails

    2 жыл бұрын

    Unless you mean another show, I think the first series of the recent Poldark was 2015, so nearly 15 years ago! Sarah :)

  • @kernow..exp.

    @kernow..exp.

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@CornishWalkingTrails no Sarah it wasn't Poldark it was another film and I can't remember what it was called silly me

  • @markwatkins8309
    @markwatkins83092 жыл бұрын

    Entertaining chat / walk but for me, didn't seem much there. Good if you like ships, I suppose! Keep up the good work!

  • @geoffrichards2706
    @geoffrichards27062 жыл бұрын

    2 men went to war was another less well known film

  • @CornishWalkingTrails

    @CornishWalkingTrails

    2 жыл бұрын

    Ahhh! We will check it out! Sarah :)

  • @beverlynBarnes
    @beverlynBarnes23 күн бұрын

    UnID the village today s Brilliance brights Satisfy classic wow 😳😎😎👍 people knowing themselves encourage peace ✌️ of class Care o if its was Kim❤😂🎉🙆👿👯🥺😎👍✌️

  • @paulburton210
    @paulburton2103 ай бұрын

    Dies nice ploughmans in the pub

  • @badgertangerine7725
    @badgertangerine7725 Жыл бұрын

    unfortunately I'm not into films.

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