The village of Charlestown, not far from St Austell, is one of the most beautiful of Cornwall’s south coast harbours. In recent years it has become well known as the setting for films and TV dramas, such as the BBC’s Poldark, but Charlestown was once a prosperous fishing village and a busy port from where ships sailed to far flung destinations.
A new and fascinating way to bring that lost history to life is to take a Charlestown Walking Tour. Lyndon ‘Sid’ Allen was born and bred in Charlestown, as were generations of his family. A former fisherman Sid is passionate about the village he grew up in and in 2021 he began taking visitors on history walking tours around the streets he knows so well. These tours have being going down a storm, receiving wonderful reviews and it is easy to see why.
Sid has an incredible knowledge of Charlestown’s history much of which he learnt by osmosis growing up listening to the stories of his relations and elders in the village, as well as information he has since gleaned from his vast collection of books, papers and old photographs. His memory for names, dates and events is extraordinary and really brings the past to life. From the infamous Rashleigh family and the earliest days of the port to the china clay industry, from war time bombings to the various film stars this place has attracted, Sid always has an interesting anecdote to share.
Hidden history
Charlestown is certainly a picturesque place and with Sid as your guide you will discover its hidden history in an engaging and fun way. He is always delighted to answer any questions that you might have and this will usually lead him to disappearing off on some amusing tangent. So every tour is different!
Booking a Charlestown Walking Tour:
The tour usually starts from the parish church and it is best to book your place in advance. The pace is relaxed and friendly, and the tour takes around an hour and a half, although this can vary, depending on how many tangents you go down!
The walk suits all ages but especially those interested in local history or wanting to get more out of their time in Charlestown.
£10 per person, Monday to Friday at 10.30 am, 12.00 pm, 1.30pm and finally 4pm. Times and days may vary out of season. Please book early to avoid disappointment.
