John H Luxton Photography

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Charlestown

The harbour village of Charlestown near St. Austell was a Georgian 'new town', a port development created by local landowner Charles Rashleigh (after whom it was named) and developed from the village of West Polmear between 1790 and 1810 for the export of copper and china clay.

In 1994 Charlestown was bought by the charter sailing ship operator Square Sail who provide sailing vessels for charter and who work closely with TV and Film production companies. In October 2015 it was announced that the Square Sail business had been acquired by Atlantic Productions Ltd and will trade as Square Sail Ventures.

The port continued to export china clay until around 2000. However, china clay exports came to an end due to the difficult approach to the harbour which restricted the size of vessels. However, long before mineral exports ceased the port had been discovered by film and TV production companies and has featured in countless drama series from the 1970s through to the present day.

Many scenes have been shot at Charlestown for TV dramas including “The Onedin Line”; “Poldark” (1970s and current series); “Diana”; “Dr Who” and “Frenchman’s Creek”. Charlestown’s movie credits include “The Eagle Has Landed” and “Two Men Went to War”.

in August 2018 the port was acquired by Luxe Ltd who have plans to further develop the potential of the site.
Read More
  • CHARLESTOWN, Cornwall, UK - October 31, 2019

    CHARLESTOWN, Cornwall, UK - October 31, 2019

    Chalestown Harbour

  • CHARLESTOWN, Cornwall, UK - October 31, 2019

    CHARLESTOWN, Cornwall, UK - October 31, 2019

    Chalestown Harbour

  • CHARLESTOWN, Cornwall, UK - October 31, 2019

    CHARLESTOWN, Cornwall, UK - October 31, 2019

    Harbour Entrance and turning area. Entry into Charlestown Harbour is notoriously difficult and this led to the end of regular exports of China Clay in 2000.

  • CHARLESTOWN, Cornwall, UK - October 31, 2019

    CHARLESTOWN, Cornwall, UK - October 31, 2019

    Chalestown Harbour

  • CHARLESTOWN, Cornwall, UK - October 31, 2019

    CHARLESTOWN, Cornwall, UK - October 31, 2019

    Chalestown Harbour

  • CHARLESTOWN, Cornwall, UK - October 31, 2019

    CHARLESTOWN, Cornwall, UK - October 31, 2019

    Chalestown Harbour

  • CHARLESTOWN, Cornwall, UK - October 31, 2019

    CHARLESTOWN, Cornwall, UK - October 31, 2019

    BESSIE ELLEN at Charlestown

  • CHARLESTOWN, Cornwall, UK - October 31, 2019

    CHARLESTOWN, Cornwall, UK - October 31, 2019

    BESSIE ELLEN at Charlestown

  • CHARLESTOWN, Cornwall, UK - October 31, 2019

    CHARLESTOWN, Cornwall, UK - October 31, 2019

    Charlestown Harbour

  • CHARLESTOWN, Cornwall, UK - October 31, 2019

    CHARLESTOWN, Cornwall, UK - October 31, 2019

    Charlestown Harbour

  • CHARLESTOWN, Cornwall, UK - October 31, 2019

    CHARLESTOWN, Cornwall, UK - October 31, 2019

    Charlestown Harbour

  • CHARLESTOWN, Cornwall, UK - October 31, 2019

    CHARLESTOWN, Cornwall, UK - October 31, 2019

    Topsail schooner ANNY was constructed in 1930 in Denmark by Carstensen and Henriksen of Skagen as a fishing vessel. She worked until 1972, with a period under German control during WWII. In 1972 she was converted to a topsail schooner, following which she worked in Europe and the Caribbean and undertook a world tour. She was delivered to Charlestown in July 2019.

  • CHARLESTOWN, Cornwall, UK - October 31, 2019

    CHARLESTOWN, Cornwall, UK - October 31, 2019

    Charlestown Harbour

  • CHARLESTOWN, Cornwall, UK - October 31, 2019

    CHARLESTOWN, Cornwall, UK - October 31, 2019

    Charlestown Harbour

  • CHARLESTOWN, Cornwall, UK - October 31, 2019

    CHARLESTOWN, Cornwall, UK - October 31, 2019

    An old quayside waterpump

  • CHARLESTOWN, Cornwall, UK - October 31, 2019

    CHARLESTOWN, Cornwall, UK - October 31, 2019

    RUTH is a gaff ketch built in Sweden in 1914 as a commercial sailing cargo vessel, typical of many such working in Scandinavian waters. The design follows the usual pattern with a long keel, bluff bows and transom stern with the rudder hung outboard on the transom. The vessel was in Danish family ownership for many years having been first refitted by the family when she came out of commercial service in 1964. In early 1984 the vessel was damaged by fire and subsequently rebuilt. The deck, deck structures and interior all date from this 1984 post-fire rebuild. She changed hands again in Denmark in 1992 before she was bought by the present English owner in 2004 and brought under UK MCA legislation for charter vessels.

  • CHARLESTOWN, Cornwall, UK - October 31, 2019

    CHARLESTOWN, Cornwall, UK - October 31, 2019

    Charlestown Harbour

  • CHARLESTOWN, Cornwall, UK - October 31, 2019

    CHARLESTOWN, Cornwall, UK - October 31, 2019

    West Country trading ship BESSIE ELLEN built in Plymouth in 1904. She is part of the UK core collection of historic vessels. She operates cruises for Venture Sail.

  • CHARLESTOWN, Cornwall, UK - October 31, 2019

    CHARLESTOWN, Cornwall, UK - October 31, 2019

    West Country trading ship BESSIE ELLEN built in Plymouth in 1904. She is part of the UK core collection of historic vessels. She operates cruises for Venture Sail.

  • CHARLESTOWN, Cornwall, UK - October 31, 2019

    CHARLESTOWN, Cornwall, UK - October 31, 2019

    West Country trading ship BESSIE ELLEN built in Plymouth in 1904. She is part of the UK core collection of historic vessels. She operates cruises for Venture Sail.

  • CHARLESTOWN, Cornwall, UK - October 31, 2019

    CHARLESTOWN, Cornwall, UK - October 31, 2019

    The harbour at Chalestown has been used as a film and tv location for many years. Here are some of the props on display.

  • CHARLESTOWN, Cornwall, UK - October 31, 2019

    CHARLESTOWN, Cornwall, UK - October 31, 2019

    Charlestown Harbour

  • CHARLESTOWN, Cornwall, UK - October 31, 2019

    CHARLESTOWN, Cornwall, UK - October 31, 2019

    Charlestown Harbour

  • CHARLESTOWN, Cornwall, UK - October 31, 2019

    CHARLESTOWN, Cornwall, UK - October 31, 2019

    Charlestown Harbour

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