Charlestown, which is near St Austell, grew out of a small fishing village called West Polmear (also West Porthmear). This is part of the outer harbour. Prior to the building of the harbour trading vessels landed and loaded on the beach. It was developed in the Georgian era (specifically from 1790 when work on building the outer quay began to 1799 when the first dock gates were erected) as a new town, and named after local landowner Charles Rashleigh who had a hand in its design. The works were to the plans of England's first recognised civil engineer, John Smeaton. It was built to facilitate the transport of copper from nearby mines but its main function became the export of china clay from the region's quarries. The inner harbour (out of shot to the left) is normally home to several tall ships.
The outer harbour has become very popular with youngsters who like to jump into the harbour from the quayside. They all seem to wear wetsuits.
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