The expansion of the mining industry in the St Austell area made it a necessity to construct a port on the coast near by. Construction of the harbour was started in 1791 and was completed in 1798. A pier was begun in 1791 for the security of fishing boats, but this was extended the following year, immediately after which a basin was cut out of solid rock.
Charlestown was named after Charles Rashleigh, whose idea and creation it was. He was a member of a well known local family and a founder of the local china clay industry. Mount Charles was also named after him. As was the Charlestown pub and restaurant, 'The Rashleigh Arms'.
Charlestown developed into a thriving community with a school and Methodist Chapel and, protected by its own cliff-top gun battery, handled ore and clay being sent world-wide.
Charlestown Harbour is still in use today - a working port with an active fishery - while also being a tourist site and the location for several films.
You can learn about Charlestown's story in the Shipwreck and Heritage Museum.
Charlestown is also the home of Squaresail's tall ships 'Kaskelot', 'Earl of Pembroke' and 'Phoenix' which can be seen and visited when they are not away on film work.