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St Mawes Castle

Exterior view
Exterior view (c) English Heritage
Exterior view - Exterior view (c) Exterior view in Summer - Exterior view in Summer (c) exterior view with gun in foreground - exterior view with gun in foreground (c) General View from north - General View from north (c) St Mawes Castle - View of the castle overlooking the sea (c) St Mawes Castle (c) English Heritage - The gardens with the castle in the background (c) The castle with the gardens in the foreground - The castle with the gardens in the foreground (c) View from the Beach - View from the Beach (c)
Visiting from Falmouth? Why not leave the car and take the ferry to St.Mawes. Friday to Monday until March 2010.

St Mawes Castle is among the best-preserved of Henry VIII's coastal artillery fortresses, and the most elaborately decorated of them all. One of the chain of forts built between 1539 and 1545 to counter an invasion threat from Catholic France and Spain, it guarded the important anchorage of Carrick Roads, sharing the task with Pendennis Castle on the other side of the Fal estuary.

A charming clover-leaf shape originally surrounded by octagonal outer defences, St Mawes was designed to mount heavy 'ship-sinking' guns. But particular care was also taken with its embellishment, and it is still bedecked with carved Latin inscriptions in praise of Henry VIII and his son Edward VI. It owes its fine preservation for modern visitors to the fact that, unlike Pendennis Castle, it was little developed after its completion. Easily falling to landward attack by Civil War Parliamentarian forces in 1646, it remained neglected until partial re-arming during the 19th and early 20th centuries.Other coastal forts built by Henry VIII include Portland, Deal and Walmer Castles.

 

'History rewritten?'

 

According to history the castle surrendered to the Civil War Parliamentarians "without a shot being fired". Well, there was at least one, and we now have it on display. The cannon ball was fired away from the castle as a warning shot to intimidate the Royalists.

 

We are therefore thankful to the Royalist commander who surrendered so easily!  When you visit, make sure you see this facinating piece of history.

 

Opening Times:

April 2009 to March 2010Opening TimesOpening Days
1 Apr-30 Jun 10am-5pm* Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, & Sun.
1 Jul-31 Aug 10am-6pm* Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, & Sun.
1-30 Sep 10am-5pm* Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, & Sun.
1 Oct-1 Nov 10am-4pm Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, & Sun.
2 Nov-31 Mar 10am-4pm Mon, Fri, Sat, & Sun.
*Closed Sat. Property may close at 4pm on Fridays and Sundays for private events  
24-26 Dec & 1 Jan Closed

How much does it cost?

Adult:
£4.00 until 31 Mar 2010 / £4.20 from 1 Apr 2010
Children:
£2.00 (5-15 years) until 31 Mar 2010 / £2.10 from 1 Apr 2010
Concession:
£3.40 until 31 Mar 2010 / £3.60 from 1 Apr 2010
English Heritage Members:

How do I get there?

Address:
Cornwall - TR2 5DE
Road Access:
In St Mawes on A3078
Train Access:
Penmere (Falmouth), 4 miles via Prince of Wales Pier and ferry
Bus Access:
Truronian T50 - St Mawes to within 1⁄2 mile
Map Location:
Telephone:
01326 270526

What facilities are available?

Facilities Available:
Parking Baby changing facilities Guidebooks Dogs allowed on leads Audio tours (included in admission price) Shop Picnic area Holiday Cottages Civil Weddings Hazardous Family Learning Available to hire for corporate and private events Admission free for Overseas Vistor Pass holders Male Toilets Female Toilets
Facilities Details:
Toilets: One adapted WC.
Shop: Level access via a shallow step.
Refreshments: Drinks and ice creams available from shop. Picnics welcome in gardens.
Access:
Access to castle: Level access for wheelchair users through shop and across drawbridge into main entrance floor. Battlements and bastions not accessible, and spiral staircase to other floors is narrow.
Gardens: Reached through side door via large, wide steps. All parts including defences are accessible on impacted gravel paths and smooth grass slopes. Benches. Excellent viewpoints.
Parking:
Near entrance; there are steps with handrail down to the entrance and slopes for wheelchairs. Help available.
Visually Impaired Visitors:
Sounds of seabirds; a few scented plants in gardens.
Hearing Impaired Visitors:
Audio tour with hearing loop included in admission price.

What facilities are available for groups?

Group Discount:
15% discount for groups of 11 or more visitors paying together. Free entry for coach driver and tour leader.
Coach Parking Facilities:
Free parking for 2 coaches, 600 metres from the site entrance.
Group Booking:
Contact the site for a Group Booking Form and for opening times and prices from 1 April 2010.
Average Length of Visit:
1 1/2 hours

Further Info

Dogs on leads only in the grounds

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