Charlestown is an amazingly pristine, unspoilt example of a late Georgian working port. It was constructed between 1791 and 1801 by Charles Rashleigh, a member of the local landowning family, in reponse to the growth of the growth of the local mining industry. Originally built to export copper and import coal, it was soon being used for the export of China Clay.
The village is named after its creator, Charles Rashleigh, landowner and mining/China Clay entreprenuer. It was formerly known as West Polmear with a population of 9 and a small fishing fleet that used the beach as a harbour. The project began with the construction of the peir to provide shelter for the fishing fleet and then the cretion of a basin, cut out of the bedrock to allow the siling ships in. The roads were widened and paved to allow for the wagons, which carried the cargo to and from the harbour.
Upon completeion, Charlestown was a model Georgian "new town". By the 19th Centruy various associated businesses were established in sheds and warehouses around the harbour such as pichard curing, shipbuilding, brickmaking and lime burning, and the population exploded to close on 3,000.
Many attractive period properties sprung up in the village, ranging from elegant Georgian houses to squat fishermans cottages.
To this day the port remains unspoilt and retains much of its Georgian character. This unique combination has lead to Charlestown being a popular location for film and television locations, and to some extent this has probably helpen subsidise its existence and prevent development. Credits include Poldark, Hornblower, Mansfield Park and many more.
As well as being a harbour location Charlestown capitalises on it's past by harbouring a fleet of square riggers ships. There are usually at least one of these magnificent ships in the harbour and they really do transport you into a bygone era.
Also worthy of mention isis the Shipwreck, Rescue and Heritage Centre. Located in one of the old China Clay buildings, the centre contains a number of exhibits relating to Charlestown's maratime past along with more general shipwreck salvage from Cornwall's coast.