Cromwell's Castle
Cornwall, England
Photo: Paul, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Gallery: Martin Dawes, CC BY-SA 2.0 · Mark Percy, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Key facts
- Operator
- English Heritage
- Condition
- Partial ruin
- Access
- Free, open access
- Nearest station
- Penzance, 37.9 miles (straight-line)
- Note
- 17th-century gun tower on Tresco, Isles of Scilly
Pinpoint
Isles of Scilly TR24 0QE
Telephone 0370 333 1181
Opening Hours
Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
Open any reasonable time during daylight hours
Checked against the official page on 13 August 2026.
Visitor essentials
- Facilities
- Refreshments available from a well-stocked shop just south of New Grimsby harbour.
- Safety
- Deep water, uneven surfaces and steep stairs on site; sturdy footwear is advisable on the heather terrain.
A 17th-century gun tower on Tresco, built low and round to withstand cannon fire rather than to look impressive - though reviewers say it does that too, perched over Caribbean-blue water on the island's west coast. There's no entry fee and no staff; you reach it via a coastal path from the harbour.
At a glance
Worth the trip
Climbing the tight spiral stair to the gun platform on the roof - reviewers say it's the closest you'll get to knowing what it felt like to be stationed there.
Before you go
It's a 30-minute walk along a narrow coastal path from the harbour, with no facilities at the site - worth pairing with the walk up to King Charles's Castle further along the hill.
What visitors say
Cromwell's Castle reviews · 4.7 / 5 across 68 Google reviews
Reviewers consistently describe Cromwell's Castle as a picturesque, well-preserved ruin worth the coastal walk from the harbour, with several highlighting the chance to climb to the gun platform on the roof for excellent island views.
No caveats or complaints appear in the available reviews, visitors seem uniformly charmed by its dramatic setting and free entry.
“Amazing place, very nice view and great Cromwell’s Castle. I do like history and everyone ho does should see this great place.”- andrei graur, visitor review
Walks at Cromwell's Castle
Cromwell's Castle is on our walks roll because a visitor described a walk here in their own review:
“You will need to walk along a narrow coast path which takes about 30 minutes from the harbour.”- Justin Floyd, visitor review
Also worth knowing: the site itself is free to enter and dogs are reported welcome.
Comparing options? See every UK castle with a walk visitors describe.
One visitor's account, not a route guide. We hold no distances, waymarks or start points. For the actual route, check the operator's own site and an Ordnance Survey map before you set out, and treat coastal and clifftop paths as weather- and tide-dependent.
History
Robert Blake · 1651-1652
Robert Blake built this artillery tower between 1651 and 1652 following Parliament's conquest of Royalist-held Scilly during the English Civil War. It was designed to protect the deep-water harbour entrance with cannon batteries.
Adapted from this castle's Wikipedia article, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Practical notes from visitors
Quoted from individual Google reviews, not verified with the operator - treat as a steer, not gospel, and check before you travel.
- Terrain & accessibility
- “There is no entry fee and the structure is well maintained with some narrow steep steps.” - Justin Floyd
Common questions about Cromwell's Castle
Where is Cromwell's Castle?
Cromwell's Castle is in Cornwall, England, at Isles of Scilly TR24 0QE.
Is Cromwell's Castle free to visit?
Yes - Cromwell's Castle is a free, open-access site with no ticket booth, looked after by English Heritage. There may still be a charge for nearby parking, and open-access arrangements can change, so it's worth a quick check before you travel.
Is Cromwell's Castle dog-friendly?
Visitor reviews suggest dogs are welcome at Cromwell's Castle - one reviewer noted: “…iew. Good hiking to the castle as well. Dog friendly.”. Policies can vary between parts of a site and change over time, so confirm with the operator before visiting with a dog.
Are there walks at Cromwell's Castle?
Visitor reviews describe walking here - one reviewer wrote: “You will need to walk along a narrow coast path which takes about 30 minutes from the harbour.”. That is one visitor's account rather than a route guide, so check the operator's own site and an Ordnance Survey map for distances, paths and start points before setting out.
What is the highlight of visiting Cromwell's Castle?
Climbing the tight spiral stair to the gun platform on the roof - reviewers say it's the closest you'll get to knowing what it felt like to be stationed there.
