St Mawes Castle
Cornwall, England
Photo: Kernow Skies, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Gallery: Nilfanion, CC BY-SA 3.0 ยท Nilfanion, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Key facts
- Operator
- English Heritage
- Condition
- Intact
- Access
- Staffed, ticketed
- Entry pass
- English Heritage Overseas Visitor Pass
- Nearest station
- Falmouth Docks, 1.5 miles (straight-line)
- Stays
- Overnight accommodation available
- Note
- Henrician artillery fort; Fort House holiday cottage nearby
Pinpoint
Castle Dr, St Mawes, Truro TR2 5DE
Telephone 0370 333 1181
Opening Hours
Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
Open daily, 10am-5pm (last entry at 4.30pm)
Checked against the official page on 13 August 2026.
Visitor essentials
- Parking
- Accessible parking is about 30 yards from the entrance, requiring a path crossing or steps down.
- Access
- No ramps on site; wheelchair access is extremely restricted, limited to the shop and courtyard.
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.
At a glance
Who to know
Henry VIII · built it as part of his coastal defences
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.
What visitors say
St Mawes Castle reviews · 4.5 / 5 across 1,854 Google reviews
Nearly all reviewers 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.
“Beautiful castle and a beautiful little beach found by the side of the overflow carpark”- Glenn Hall, visitor review
History
Henry VIII · 1540
Henry VIII commissioned this clover-leaf artillery fort between 1540 and 1542 under Thomas Treffry's supervision to guard Carrick Roads and counter French invasion threats. The fort featured a central tower and three round bastions designed for cannon placement, initially carrying 19 artillery pieces. It saw action during the English Civil War, was upgraded multiple times, and served again in the Second World War before becoming a heritage site.
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.
- Parking
- “Beautiful castle and a beautiful little beach found by the side of the overflow carpark” - Glenn Hall
- Facilities
- “There are good parking facilities for everyone, toilets and a gift shop.” - Barbara Nicholls
Common questions about St Mawes Castle
Where is St Mawes Castle?
St Mawes Castle is in Cornwall, England, at Castle Dr, St Mawes, Truro TR2 5DE.
Do you need a ticket to visit St Mawes Castle?
Yes - St Mawes Castle is a staffed, ticketed attraction run by English Heritage. Ticket prices and opening hours change through the year, so check the official site before travelling.
Can you stay overnight at St Mawes Castle?
Yes - St Mawes Castle offers bookable accommodation, so you can spend the night in the castle itself or within its grounds. See the Castles You Can Sleep In guide for the full list and how each stay works.
What is the highlight of visiting St Mawes Castle?
The clover-leaf gun bastions, still in close to original condition - reviewers rate it among the best-preserved Tudor forts in England.
Is St Mawes Castle a ruin or still intact?
St Mawes Castle is largely intact - Henrician artillery fort; Fort House holiday cottage nearby.
