Liskeard
OS Grid ref:- SX249641
The lively market town of Liskeard is situated at the head of the Looe Valley and near to the popular resorts of Looe and Polperro.
Known in Cornish as Lyskerry, 'lys', means court or seat of Justice, and 'Kerryt', means a local chief or king, Liskeard was originally known as Liscarret and is recorded in the Domesday Book as one of the holdings of Robert, Count of Mortain, the half-brother of William the Conqueror. The town was granted its charter in 1240 by Richard, Earl of Cornwall, the brother of King Henry III and was once an important tin mining town which still has much to offer the visitor.
The Church of St. Martin, founded in the thirteenth century, is the second largest church in Cornwall. Much of the present church dates to the fifteenth century while the tower was built in 1902. A colourful mural mural in Pigmeadow Lane depicts the history of Liskeard and South East Cornwall from earliest times and includes a representation of the Celtic chieftain Caradoc or Caractacus, who fought the Romans. There are several other murals throughout Liskeard.
The Pipe Well is worthy of a visit, the well is referred to in fourteenth century documents as "The Well of Lyskiret " or "The Well of St Martins". Four springs feed the well and Cornish legend bestows curative powers upon it.
The town boasts some superb Georgian buildings, while the Victorian Town Hall has a strong Italianate influence. There are some imposing stone buildings in the Parade, and a Regency Market Hall. Stuart House in Barras Street is a sixteenth century town house which has been restored to serve as an arts and heritage centre. The house is used for exhibitions and sales of arts and crafts, for charity sales, meetings/seminars and other, heritage, community and cultural events. King Charles I spent nine days (1644 - 45) at Stuart House during the Civil War. Leisure facilities are available at Lux Park, including an indoor sports and fitness centre as well as an all-weather floodlit football and hockey pitch.
Dobwalls Family Adventure Park near Liskeard makes a great day out for children (open daily 10.30am - 5pm) It has an extensive miniature railway, radio controlled boats, adventure playground, crazy golf and 'Babes in the Wood' for younger children.
Three miles north west of the town is a fragment of a ninth century cross shaft, known as King Doniert's Stone. It is inscribed DONIERT ROGAVIT PRO ANIMA (Doniert has prayed for his soul) and may possibly be a memorial to Dungarth, a ninth century Cornish king. To locate the stone follow the road from Liskeard to St. Cleer, then to Commonmoor, turning west towards Redgate. The stone is situated to the south of the road.