Liskeard. Situated at the head of the Looe valley, Liskeard has always been an important market town, and is one of the four original Stannary towns, ( the original Cornish stannary area's were, Penwith and Kerrier - Land's End and the Lizard peninsulas, Tywarnhaile - St Agnes & Carn Brea area, Blackmore - the Hensbarrow granite upland, now better known as the china clay country, Foweymore - the historic name for Bodmin Moor ) stannary mean an area containing tin mines, especially in Devon and Cornwall. The mining industry was very important to Liskeard and the surrounding area, being the main source of employment. On the hills north of Liskeard,  between Liskeard and Launceston, there were many tin-mines. And as they told us, by their prolific pproduction that some of the richest veins of that metal in the county if not the world were to be found there. The metal, was then when cast into blocks at the blowing houses, being, then transported, by horse and cart to Liskeard to be coined. The town of Liskeard was once eminent, had a good castle, and a large house, where the ancient Dukes of Cornwall kept their court in those days; also it enjoyed several privileges, especially by the favor of the Black Prince, who as Prince of Wales and Duke of Cornwall resided here. And in return they say this town and the country around it raised a great body of stout young fellows, who entered into his service and followed his fortunes in his wars not in France, as also in Spain. But these buildings are so decayed that there are now scarcely any of the ruins of the castle or of the prince's court remaining.The town's name was originally Lisclarret and can be found in the Domesday Book under the original name. At that time it boasted a market, and also a mill. 

Liskeard is ideally  situated , for exploring Cornwall, to the north lies the wild, and rugged expanse of mysterious, Bodmin Moor a place of folk law, and legend, where one will find evidence that the moor has been  inhabited since 10,000 BC for this is the time that the hunter-gathers turned to agriculture.  To the south of Liskeard and within easy traveling distance is  the  beautiful Cornish coast, and all the popular tourist towns and villages .Liskeard recently went  through change, with new shops such as Morrisons,Argos and the large DIY chain Focus being added to the outskirts of the town. This has caused a mixed reaction from residents and from small businesses, particularly from within the town center who feel that trade inside the town center could leave to the big high street names on the outskirts of the town. Their are also many houses being built on the outskirts of the town in projects such as that of the Liskeret woods project. Since the collapse of the mining industry few residents now work in the town. Many have commute to the City Plymouth and many others are retired. The town does host a busy and popular market just as it did in bygone day's. Although steeped in teetotal methodist traditions the presence of the market inevitably ensured the survival of a dozen pubs and since the seventies a small/club on the Parade has provided limited nightlife, although modern youths are mobile enough to take their delights in Plymouth.

Liskeard has a fine town museum which traces the history of this old town. And the Pipe Well is worthy of a visit for it is believed it was this well, that is the reason why the town was built here. It first gets a mention in the 14th century, in old documents that state "The Well of Lyskiret " or "The Well of St Martins". Four springs feed the well and it has never known to run dry. The legend concerning the well say it has healing powers, and brings one luck, like most of the wells in Cornwall are supposed to. The beautiful Church of St Marrtin's was built mainly in the 15th century, although there is evidence that the church was built earlier. A very interesting mural can be found in Pigmeadow Lane it depicts Liskeard and the area from it's earliest times, with an emphasis on the industrial revolution. On the edge of Bodmin Moor is the village of St Cleer north of this village, is a standing stone known as King Doniert's stone which is inscribed in Latin, asking one to pray for the King of Cornwall, King Doniert drowned in 875. Nearby are the ancient remains of Trethevy Qouit an neolithic burial chamber. In St Cleer it's-self, housed in an granite babtistry is yet another well  which was used to treat the insane, they were apparently tossed up and down in the water till sanity returned. Yes Liskeard certainly has it's share of history, and with it's beautiful location it should not be dismissed as a holiday destination

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