Name: Pendennis Castle
Rating: 5.0

Pendennis Castle

Falmouth, Cornwall, UK

1-99 Years

Paid

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Description

Pendennis Castle, climb to the top of the Tudor keep and you’ll be rewarded with panoramic vistas. Follow the tunnel down to the Half Moon Battery to be transported back to the Second World War. Pendennis Castle is home to many impressive historic guns. Join a volunteer-led talk to discover how they worked.

Stretch your legs on the Castle Explorers trail around Pendennis Castle, before taking a break at the the Royal Artillery Barracks, where you’ll find a soft play area and a cafe. Combine your trip to Pendennis with a visit to its sister fortress at St Mawes – a 20-minute ferry runs between the two throughout the year.

Price starts from £13.00 for Adults, £8.00 for Children(5-17 years) and £21.00 for Family(1 adult, up to 3 children). If you are looking for Best place for day out with kids and families then this is the perfect destination offering fun, adventure, and unforgettable memories for everyone.

Features

Paid
Host birthday parties: No

Features

Enjoy gorgeous coastal views: Pendennis Castle offers breath-taking views over the town of Falmouth, nearby beaches and out to sea. Look out for sea-faring vessels of many kinds, as well as a huge range of wildlife, birds and coastal creatures. With so many vantage points to choose from, you can always find a spot to admire the view, soak up the sun or simply sit and watch the world go by.
Have some Family fun: Discover Pendennis Castle through the family-friendly interactive exhibitions and Castle Explorers family trail. We’ve put together a Family Guide to help you plan your visit. The castle grounds offer acres of space: the perfect spot for a picnic with a view. So don't forget to pack your picnic blanket!
Explore the Tudor Keep: Climb the spiral stairs to the roof of Pendennis Castle to experience unparalleled views out to sea. With 360° panoramas, you can easily see why the castle's headland location was so strategically significant.
Learn about Historic Weaponry: Marvel at the display of big guns in the Field Train Shed and learn about the awesome power of these coast defence weapons. The collection includes Tudor, Napoleonic, Victorian and 20th-century guns, each with information on how they would have been used.
Let off some steam at the Soft Play: Under 5s will love exploring the castle-themed soft play at Pendennis. Located next to the cafe, it’s the perfect place for little ones to play while you enjoy a cup of tea and some cake.
Scan the Horizon: During the Second World War, the Battery Observation Post provided around the clock watch to help keep Falmouth safe. Travel back to wartime Cornwall to discover how enemy ships were pinpointed on the horizon and how the Half Moon Battery guns were controlled.
Stop for a Bite to Eat: You’ll find the bright and airy Number 6 Café in the Royal Artillery Barracks. The cafe offers a wide selection of meals freshly prepared at Pendennis Castle. The menu includes both local and seasonal Cornish dishes catering to a wide range of dietary requirements. All our meat is sourced from British farms adhering to Red Tractor standards; we only use RSPCA assured eggs; and all our fish is caught following MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) standards.
Magical Creatures: Looking for an adventure with your little ones? Uncover English folklore with our Folktale Creature Trails, where children can discover magical creatures from English myths and legends.
Museum: The refurbished 1901 Royal Artillery Barracks houses an interactive exhibition on the ground floor, tracing the history of the castle, its people, and its links with Falmouth and the trade routes of the British Empire. A key feature is a hands on scale model of the castle: with the aid of special effects, children can step into the shoes of a soldier on kit parade.

Facilities

Parking: Main car park on Castle Drive - follow signs past 'Ships & Castles' Leisure Centre (use TR11 4NQ for Sat-Nav). There is a 2.1M height barrier in place and no parking charge.
Food And Drink: Tearoom, situated in the Royal Garrison Artillery Barracks, serves a delicious selection of refreshments, snacks and light meals made from local Cornish ingredients. Gluten-free and dairy-free options available.
Toilets: Male and female toilets are present on site at the rear of the shop and on the first floor of the Royal Artillery Barrack Block. Baby changing facilities are also available.
Dogs: All dogs on a lead are welcome including inside the buildings and around the grounds. There is also outside seating at the cafe.

What to see

Events:
Halloween Half-term at Pendennis Castle: Date: Sat 25 - Sun 2 Nov 2025. Time: 10am - 5pm. Location: Pendennis Castle. Gather your little monsters for a ghoulishly good day out at Pendennis Castle this half-term. Follow the quest to solve creepy clues and gather round to listen to spooky stories.

For more upcoming events information please visit: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/pendennis-castle/events/

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Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Advance online tickets:

Adult: £13.00 With donation & £11.80 Without donation.
Child (5–17 years): £8.00 With donation & £7.20 Without donation.
Family (2 adults, up to 3 children): £34.00 With donation & £30.80 Without donation.
Family (1 adult, up to 3 children): £21.00 With donation & £19.00 Without donation.
Concession: £11.50 With donation & £10.40 Without donation.
Member: Free.

On the day tickets:

Adult: £15.50 With donation & £14.00 Without donation.
Child (5–17 years): £9.50 With donation & £8.60 Without donation.
Family (2 adults, up to 3 children): £40.50 With donation & £36.60 Without donation.
Family (1 adult, up to 3 children): £25.00 With donation & £22.60 Without donation.
Concession: £14.00 With donation & £12.70 Without donation.
Member: Free.

Pricing URL: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/pendennis-castle/prices-and-opening-times/

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

Open Daily: 10am - 5pm (last entry at 4pm)

Address: Falmouth, Cornwall, UK

Post Code: TR11 4NQ

Council: Cornwall

County: Cornwall

Road Access: On Pendennis Headland, 1 mile SE of Falmouth.
Bus Access: The nearest bus stop to Pendennis Castle is along Castle Drive. This involves a short uphill walk to the castle entrance. Buses that operate at this stop include the 67 Coastal Circular from Falmouth Moor and the First Kernow Falmouth Coaster (open-top).
Train Access: The nearest station is Falmouth Docks, which is an approx. 0.5mile / 0.75km uphill walk to Pendennis Castle. Falmouth Docks is the terminus of the scenic Maritime Line from Truro. Trains run every 30 minutes Mon to Sat, every hour on Sundays.
Bicycle Access: Find your cycling route to Pendennis Castle at sustrans.org.uk, the National Cycle Network.
Ferry Access: A Passenger Ferry links Falmouth Price of Wales Pier and St Mawes daily throughout the year. Hourly service during the winter, increasing to every 30mins during the summer months. Journey time 20mins. It is a 250m walk from Falmouth Moor bus stops to Prince of Wales Pier.
Parking: Main car park on Castle Drive - follow signs past 'Ships & Castles' Leisure Centre (use TR11 4NQ for Sat-Nav). There is a 2.1M height barrier in place and no parking charge.