Star Castle
Cornwall, England
Photo: David Purchase, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Gallery: Des Blenkinsopp, CC BY-SA 2.0 · James Emmans, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Key facts
- Operator
- Star Castle Hotel
- Condition
- Intact
- Access
- Hotel guests only
- Nearest station
- Penzance, 37.8 miles (straight-line)
- Stays
- Overnight accommodation available
- Note
- 16thC star fort hotel, Isles of Scilly
Pinpoint
Isles of Scilly TR21 0JA
Telephone 01720 422317
Possible Opening Hours*
*Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
| Monday | 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM |
| Thursday | 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM |
| Friday | 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM |
| Saturday | 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM |
| Sunday | 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM |
A 16th-century star-shaped fort on the Isles of Scilly, converted into a hotel and now the accommodation of choice for visitors island-hopping around Scilly. Reviewers consistently praise the staff and the setting; the odd complaint is about restaurant service rather than the castle itself.
At a glance
Worth the trip
The star-fort layout itself - six-pointed ramparts built to Tudor defensive design, now wrapped around hotel gardens rather than gun emplacements.
Before you go
It's hotel guests only, so day visits aren't an option - reviewers recommend booking the boat trips run through the hotel if you're staying, and note restaurant service can be inconsistent even when the rooms aren't.
What visitors say
Star Castle reviews · 4.5 / 5 across 233 Google reviews
Most reviewers had an excellent stay at Star Castle Hotel, repeatedly praising the attentive, helpful staff, especially for arranging boat trips, and the historic setting and views.
One reviewer had a disappointing dinner experience, citing inattentive service and a mix-up over food availability, but this appears to be an outlier against an otherwise consistently positive picture.
“Great hotel historic great views very helpful staff and friendly food exquisite boat trips with rafe brilliant worth another visit thanksĺ”- Andrew Alexander, visitor review
Getting in - what Star Castle Hotel says
Access Statement PDF available in footer; site mentions facilities for disabled guests
Taken from Star Castle Hotel’s own website and read 28 July 2026 - check the current version. Access can change with building work, weather and staffing - if the visit depends on it, ring ahead.
Walks at Star Castle
Star Castle is on our walks roll because a visitor described a walk here in their own review:
“The grounds are lovely and the trail around the fort/castle made for a good hike.”- Al Bigh, visitor review
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.
Common questions about Star Castle
Where is Star Castle?
Star Castle is in Cornwall, England, at Isles of Scilly TR21 0JA.
Can you visit Star Castle?
Star Castle operates as a hotel, so access is normally for staying guests rather than day visitors. Contact the hotel directly about staying or visiting.
Can you stay overnight at Star Castle?
Yes - Star 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.
Are there walks at Star Castle?
Visitor reviews describe walking here - one reviewer wrote: “The grounds are lovely and the trail around the fort/castle made for a good hike.”. 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 Star Castle?
The star-fort layout itself - six-pointed ramparts built to Tudor defensive design, now wrapped around hotel gardens rather than gun emplacements.
