"there is history in every stone in Lostwithiel" - John Betjeman

"Fairest of Fair Cities" - Edmund, Earl of Cornwall

The Ancient Stannary Capital of Cornwall, Lostwithiel was granted a Royal Charter in 1189.  A slightly less significant event was the opening in 1979 of Martin Austen's first shop in the town, the North Street Dairy. 

However, there was some development and many noticeable events in between.

The Town was founded in the 12th Century by the Norman Conquerors as a base for the tin mining industry. In those day the river was deep and wide, providing a useful transport link for the tin. By the 13th Century Lostwithiel had become the capital town, and the main centre in Cornwall for the trading of tin.

Edmund, Earl of Cornwall built Restormel Castle mainly as an impressive home rather than as a Fortress. The Castle's ruins are still impressive and well worth a visit. Edmund was also credited with the building of the fine Church that stands in the Centre of town (St Bartholomew's), the Shire Hall, and the a bridge that spans the River Fowey. He might have done all of this for the town, but he would never have had the opportunity to tuck into one of Fran's Full Monty Breakfast pies!

By the 15th Century, the River had begun to silt up as a result of the by-products the tinning industry, and the had become innavgable to sea going ships.  This prompted the decline of the town as tin mining centre.

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