Key facts
- Operator
- English Heritage
- Condition
- Intact
- Access
- Staffed, ticketed
- Stays
- Overnight accommodation available
Pinpoint
Castle Dr, St Mawes, Truro TR2 5DE
Telephone 0370 333 1181
Possible Opening hours
Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
| Monday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Thursday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Friday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Saturday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Sunday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
Built between 1540 and 1542 as part of Henry VIII's coastal defences, St Mawes is one of the best-preserved Tudor artillery forts in the country, its clover-leaf plan largely unaltered since. It sits opposite Pendennis Castle across the Carrick Roads - reviewers often pair the two in a single day - with a small beach next to the overflow car park.
Worth the trip
The clover-leaf gun bastions, still in close to original condition - reviewers rate it among the best-preserved Tudor forts in England.
Before you go
It gets windy on the headland, so bring a coat even on a fine day; parking, toilets and a gift shop are all on site, and it pairs well with a same-day visit to Pendennis across the water.
Reviewers unanimously enjoy St Mawes Castle, praising its well-preserved Tudor architecture, the estuary views, and the option to arrive via the Falmouth ferry. Facilities like parking, toilets, and a gift shop are noted as good, and one visitor mentions it can be quite windy on site, but otherwise all the available reviews are positive with no real complaints raised.
Henrician artillery fort; Fort House holiday cottage nearby
“Beautiful castle and a beautiful little beach found by the side of the overflow carpark”— Glenn Hall, visitor review
