There are various unimaginable castles in Cornwall to discover. From windswept ruins to fantastically preserved sea forts and fairy-tale citadels. The county has a wealthy historical past from Celtic and Arthurian legends to pirates, smugglers, and a deep reference to the ocean.
Cornwall is without doubt one of the UK’s prime vacation locations and is greatest identified for its great beaches, browsing alternatives, coastal paths, and quaint fishing villages, however the Cornish castles are one other of the Westcountry’s gems and make for an enchanting time out.
I’ve visited most of the Castles in Cornwall, UK over time as I’m an enormous fan of historical past and the related myths and legends. You’ll additionally discover that most of the Cornwall castles are set in dramatic areas and are sometimes located on cliffs overlooking the Atlantic.
10 Best Castles in Cornwall
Under, you’ll discover a collection of the very best castles in Cornwall from the well-known Tintagel citadel (considered the legendary dwelling of King Arthur and his Knights of the Spherical Desk) to Henry VIII’s maritime forts, and even Cornish castles you’ll be able to keep in.
There are citadel ruins to discover, renovated castles with museums and tea rooms, and a citadel on a tidal island that has a duplicate in France (St Michael’s Mount and Mont Saint Michelle respectively).
I really like exploring the gorgeous castles throughout Cornwall – they make nice excursions for historical past lovers, households, and people on the lookout for a change from a day on the seashore.
1. Tintagel Fortress
Tintagel citadel is arguably Cornwall’s most well-known historic smash for its affiliation with the legend of King Arthur. This spectacular stone construction sits perched on a towering clifftop excessive above the north Atlantic ocean and Merlin’s Cave and is one in all my favourite locations to go to in Cornwall.
There’s a brand new footbridge that connects elements of the citadel on the mainland to these on a big, rocky outcrop and the views are unimaginable. From right here you’ll be able to spot sea birds and marine life reminiscent of seals, dolphins, and basking sharks.
The citadel is a straightforward stroll from Tintagel village which is well reachable from Cornwall’s important cities and villages by street. Buses between Bude and Newquay go by means of Tintagel so it may be visited through public transport (although to get the very best out of Cornwall, I like to recommend hiring a automotive).
I used to be fortunate sufficient to first go to Tintagel Fortress earlier than the brand new bridge was constructed and it was free to enter so issues have modified slightly since then. I can’t wait to get again and stroll throughout the bridge (even with my worry of heights!).
Tintagel Fortress Particulars and Data
Tackle: Castle Road, Tintagel, Cornwall, PL34 0HE
Telephone: +44 (0)370 333 1181
Working Hours: 10 am-4 pm, Wed-Solar
Entrance Price: £14.80 grownup, £8.90 little one
Web site: english-heritage.org.uk
2. Pendennis Fortress
The attractive Pendennis Fortress was constructed by King Henry VIII to guard England from invasion. It’s among the finest places to visit in Falmouth because of its many acres of land with sweeping views out throughout the south coast, the Fal Estuary, and the city harbor.
You’ll discover weapons and cannons dotted round Pendennis and the cliffs overlooking the city. On sure days of the 12 months, these are fired in commemoration of various battles and historic occasions. Test the English Heritage web site for more information on when you’ll be able to see this (hyperlink beneath).
This is without doubt one of the locations I like to spend a day on my uncommon visits to the south coast (sorry Falmouth, however the north coast has higher surfing beaches).
Pendennis Fortress is a mile away from the harbor so is well walkable, or you’ll be able to soar on the 67 bus. Falmouth itself is related to the remainder of the UK by street and rail.
Pendennis Fortress Particulars and Data
Tackle: Castle Drive, Falmouth, Cornwall, TR11 4LP
Telephone: +44 (0)1326 316594
Working Hours: 10 am-4 pm, Sat-Solar
Entrance Price: £11.60 grownup, £6.90 little one
Web site: english-heritage.org.uk
3. St Michael’s Mount
Visiting historic St Michael’s Mount in Marazion close to Penzance is without doubt one of the greatest things to do in Cornwall for households as there’s a lot to see and do. This epic citadel is located on a tidal island and is totally minimize off from the mainland throughout excessive tide.
I’ve been to each St Michael’s Mount and its French counterpart Mont Saint Michelle, and naturally, I can affirm that the Cornish citadel is healthier, if slightly smaller (not that I’m biased in fact…).
You may get misplaced in the myriad little lanes across the citadel, go to the small village or swim on the seashore. At low tide, you’ll be able to stroll throughout the causeway to the citadel, however at excessive tide, you’ll must take one of many three boats that cross forwards and backwards between the island and the mainland.
There are common buses between Penzance and Marazion (Service U4) taking simply quarter-hour.
St Michael’s Mount Particulars and Data
Tackle: Mounts Bay, Marazion, Cornwall, TR17 0HS
Telephone: +44 (0)1736 887822
Working Hours: 10 am-5 pm, Mon-Solar
Entrance Price: £14 grownup, £7 little one
Web site: stmichaelsmount.co.uk
4. Launceston Fortress
Cornwall’s county-town (regional capital) of Launceston is certainly price a go to for its magnificent Thirteenth-century citadel ruins. The citadel’s 600-year-old maintain continues to be intact and you’ll wander across the citadel, partitions, and grounds which have been well-preserved by English Heritage.
The citadel dates to simply after the Norman conquest of Britain and served as Cornwall’s seat of presidency till the sixteenth Century. The citadel has additionally been used as a residence for Cornwall’s aristocrats, a jail, and a courthouse earlier than changing into an open-air museum.
Launceston is situated near the border between Devon and Cornwall and is well reached by street from the remainder of the nation. There are additionally common bus providers to different giant cities throughout Cornwall, Devon, and the remainder of the UK from right here.
Launceston Fortress Particulars and Data
Tackle: Castle Dyke, Launceston, Cornwall, PL15 7DR
Telephone: +44 (0)370 333 1181
Working Hours: 10 am-5 pm, Mon-Solar
Entrance Price: £6.00 grownup, £3.60 little one
Web site: english-heritage.org.uk
5. Restormel Fortress
The gorgeous ruins of Restormel Fortress sit on a hilltop overlooking the Fow valley and create the proper setting for picnics. All through the summer season the citadel and grounds play host to varied occasions reminiscent of theater and music performances (see the web site to see what’s at present on – hyperlink beneath).
The citadel dates to the late Thirteenth century and fell into decline from the sixteenth century onwards. Restormel was as soon as a part of the property of the notorious Black Prince (son of Edward III and Duke of Cornwall) and is without doubt one of the greatest castles in Cornwall for household days out.
Restormel is situated out in the sticks round 5 miles from Bodmin. You’ll want your individual transport to get there, or you’ll be able to e-book a taxi/Uber from Bodmin to take you and organize pickup or ready time. You can too walk to the castle from Bodmin which takes round two hours.
Restormel Fortress Particulars and Data
Tackle: Restormel Road, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0EE
Telephone: +44 (0)1208 872687
Working Hours: 10 am-5 pm, Mon-Solar
Entrance Price: £6.00 grownup, £3.60 little one
Web site: english-heritage.org.uk
6. Caerhays Fortress
Caerhays Fortress close to St Austell (dwelling of my favourite Cornish beer) isn’t one of many oldest in the county at simply 200 years previous, nonetheless, it’s thought of essentially the most stunning citadel in Cornwall by many because of its picture-perfect location overlooking the south coast of England.
Though the citadel continues to be dwelling to the Williams household who has lived right here for over 140 years, it’s open to the general public annually between March and June (the gardens and tea rooms are open from February). There’s additionally a small seashore and cafe close by that may be visited year-round.
Caerhays can be one of many castles in Cornwall you’ll be able to keep in as one wing is open for friends. There’s additionally a collection of cottages, barns, and vacation residences on the property which are accessible to e-book. I’ve stayed in castles in France earlier than, however that is one thing I want so as to add to my Cornwall checklist.
Caerhays Fortress Particulars and Data
Tackle: Gorran Churchtown, St Austell, Cornwall, PL26 6LY
Telephone: +44 (0)1872 500026
Working Hours: 10 am-5 pm, Mon-Fri
Entrance Charges: citadel £14.00/£7.0,0 gardens £10.00/£5.00, mixed £20.00/£8.00
Web sites: visit.caerhays.co.uk (citadel) caerhaysholidays.co.uk (lodging)
7. St Mawes Fortress
Historic St Mawes is without doubt one of the best-preserved castles in Cornwall, and like Pendennis throughout the water, is a Tudor-era fortification constructed through the reign of Henry VIII.
This is without doubt one of the hottest castles in Cornwall because of its location close to Falmouth with gorgeous sea views.
The citadel is open to guests to discover and there are lots of attention-grabbing issues to see from the previous cannons to the jail tower, rooftop bastion, and extra. This can be a excellent place to blow away the cobwebs and discover the coastal space round St Mawes.
Probably the greatest methods to achieve St Mawes Fortress is to take the ferry from close by Falmouth which supplies gorgeous views of the Fal Estuary and close by shoreline. The ferry runs each day (apart from Christmas Day) and takes simply 20 minutes.
St Mawes Fortress Particulars and Data
Tackle: Castle Drive, St Mawes, Truro, Cornwall, TR2 5DE
Telephone: +44 (0)370 333 1181
Working Hours: 10 am-4 pm, Sat-Solar
Entrance Price: £7.00 grownup, £4.2 little one
Web site: english-heritage.org.uk
8. St Catherine’s Fortress
This small artillery fort close to the village of Fowey is about upon a dramatic clifftop overlooking the ocean and rocky shoreline far beneath. The citadel is reached through the southwest coast path, is totally free to go to, and is open 24 hours a day all 12 months spherical.
St Catherine’s is one other of Henry VIII’s defensive forts relationship again to the 1530s. Throughout WWII the citadel was redesigned to carry anti-aircraft weapons and munitions to battle off any German try at invasion.
Its desolate location makes this one of the atmospheric of Cornwall’s castles. You’ll be able to solely attain St Catherine’s Fortress on foot.
Begin at Readymoney Cove automotive park, (there’s a stunning little seashore right here too, excellent for swimming in summer season), and observe the coast path for 3/4 of a mile till you attain the citadel.
St Catherine’s Fortress Particulars and Data
Tackle: St Catherine’s Cove, Fowey, Cornwall, PL23 1JH
Telephone: +44 (0)370 333 1181
Working Hours: 24/7
Entrance Price: Free
Web site: english-heritage.org.uk
9. Chun Fortress
The traditional ruins at Chun characterize the oldest citadel in Cornwall, with its fortification relationship again a staggering 2,500 years. The ruins are situated in a discipline (with full public entry) in the far southwest of Cornwall between St Ives and Land’s Finish.
This iron age hill fort is a must-visit for historical past lovers and budding archaeologists. The location kinds a part of the Chun Downs Nature Reserve overlooking the rugged north Atlantic shoreline, making it a terrific place for avid walkers and hikers.
The ruins are solely reachable on foot through a footpath from the close by villages of Morvah or Pendeen. The world can be dwelling to a few of Cornwall’s different relics just like the Morvah Standing Stones which will be visited on the similar time.
Chun Fortress Particulars and Data
Tackle: Penzance, Cornwall, TR20 8PX
Telephone: n/a
Working Hours: 24/7
Entrance Price: Free
Web site: n/a
10. Tregenna Fortress Resort
The Treganna Fortress Resort is the proper place to remain for those who’re on the lookout for slightly little bit of luxurious in gorgeous environment. The citadel overlooks Carbis Bay and the attractive harbor city of St Ives – a vastly widespread Cornwall trip vacation spot.
The citadel is about inside a whopping 72 acres of land on the north Cornish coast with manicured gardens, an indoor and outside pool, a fitness center, a spa, a golf course, and a restaurant serving the freshest native produce and domestically caught fish.
Treganna is inside strolling distance of the galleries, seashores, and eating places of St Ives. It’s simply reachable by street and rail from the remainder of Cornwall and the UK and is one in all my favourite locations to go to in Cornwall.
Tregenna Fortress Particulars and Data
Tackle: (*10*)
Telephone: +44 (0)1736 795254
Working Hours: 24/7
Entrance Price: From £80.00 per evening
Web site: tregenna-castle.co.uk
Castles in Cornwall: FAQs
Under are some FAQs about the very best castles in Cornwall.
Caerhays Fortress is essentially the most stunning citadel in Cornwall because of its gorgeous location overlooking the south coast.
Chun Fortress is the oldest citadel in Cornwall with iron age ruins relationship again over 2,500 years. Though there isn’t a lot left, this wild and windswept archaeological web site is nicely price a go to.
There are over 15 castles and forts in Cornwall, with much more ruins various in measurement scattered across the county. The south coast is dwelling to extra castles because it immediately faces mainland Europe.
Pendennis and Tintagel castles are the most well-liked castles in Cornwall for his or her historic associations with King Henry VIII and King Arthur.
You’ll be able to sleep in Tregenna citadel, which though not a historic constructing, is a fantastic place to remain full with ramparts and acres of grounds.
The most effective citadel to go to in Cornwall is Tintagel citadel because of its wonderful location on the north Cornish coast and the various myths and legends surrounding it.
King Arthur’s citadel is in the small village of Tintagel on the north Cornish coast between Bude and Padstow.
In Conclusion
Now you realize about the very best castles in Cornwall from my favorites and widespread vacationer sights of Tintagel, Pendennis, and St Michael’s Mount to the lesser identified, however no much less spectacular St Catherine’s, Caerhays, and Chun castles.
Cornwall is part of the UK that’s steeped in historical past, myths and legends, and nosing round a few of these historic ruins is a must-do for anybody visiting. You’ll discover that lots of Cornwall’s castles are on the south coast, as this was essentially the most uncovered space to England’s enemies of previous.
Whether or not you wish to stay your individual fairytale dream by staying at Treganna or Caerhays, or picnic on dramatic clifftops with the echoes of kings carrying on the wind, the castles of Cornwall won’t disappoint.
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