Name: St Mawes Castle
Rating: 5.0

St Mawes Castle

Castle Drive, St Mawes, Truro, UK

1-99 Years

Paid

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Description

St Mawes Castle and its sister fortress Pendennis Castle were built by Henry VIII to guard the important anchorage of Carrick Roads. You’ll get wonderful views of the sea and passing ships from the battlements. Add to your adventures by catching the ferry to the castle, which runs between St Mawes and Falmouth throughout the year.

Wander round the distinctive clover leaf-shaped castle, and look out for the many carved inscriptions praising Henry VIII and his son Edward VI. A model and hands-on activities help families to explore the ornate sculptures. Don’t miss the castle’s famous collection of 15 historic guns and cannons, which we’ve recently spruced up and conserved.

Price starts from £9.00 for Adults, £5.00 for Children(5-17 yrs) and £14.00 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

Things To See and Do: There’s lots to see and do at St Mawes Castle. Below we’ve listed some of the highlights to look out for including the murder holes under the guardhouse archway; Henry VIII’s royal arms carved into the stone; and the replica guns and cannons.
Take the Ferry: One of the best ways to approach the castle is by sea! Enjoy a lovely ferry ride on either the foot ferry from Falmouth town or by car on the King Harry Ferry from nearby Feock. There are stunning sea views on both journeys. Handy hint: The Fal Mussel Card offers great discounts on entry to Pendennis and St Mawes castles.
Enter the Castle: Approach St Mawes Castle through the original guardhouse, which leads directly onto the bridge across a ditch. This ditch once extended around the whole castle. Look for the handgun loops in the walls and murder holes under the arch. Around the castle are beautiful stone carvings of the Tudor royal arms with Latin inscriptions, designed to flatter the monarch and his son Edward.
Punishment in the Tower: As you pass from the entrance bridge, you enter the second floor of St Mawes’ gun tower. Head to the right and if you look down on the floor, you can see a glass panel covering a deep hole, known as an "oubliette." Here prisoners or unruly soldiers were kept in the dark underground as punishment for crimes or bad behaviour.
The Gun Platform and Bastions: Walk out onto the open roof of the forward bastion and you can see a parapet with four embrasures or portholes for guns which protected the river.
Daily Life at the Castle: On the lower floor is the basement which was used at the kitchen and storeroom. At busy times, it might have been home for up to 20 men. At one time, water from a well would have fed into a cistern in a wall recess. You can see the large fireplace with a bread oven which was used daily to cook meals for the soldiers. The first floor was the mess room or dining room. And it was also used as a gunpowder store until the 19th century.
Guns and Gunpowder: At the edge of St Mawes Castle, overlooking the castle walls, you can still see the remains of the defensive gun platforms from Tudor times.
Saluting the King: Once you have explored St Mawes’ Castle keep and wandered through the landscaped gardens, you’ll reach the Tudor Blockhouse, built into a rock cut platform on the shoreline.
Discover 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.
Gardens: The grounds at St Mawes Castle consist of grassed areas and some gardens, which are spread across several levels connected by sloping paths and steps. Wooden bench seating can be found throughout the grounds, and provide a great vantage point for views of the Carrick Roads and St Antony Lighthouse.

Facilities

Parking: Parking charges apply to non-members. Parking free for members. The upper car park contains 15 spaces and two disabled spaces. When more parking is required, visitors can use the castle's lower car park, which has ample space available. A set of concrete steps and a steep road separate the car parks from the site's entrance. Unfortunately the site is not suitable for coaches, however mini buses are allowed. The nearest off-site car park is located in St Mawes village (charges apply).
Toilets: Male and female toilets are present on site, near the shop.
Dogs: Dogs allowed on leads.

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Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Advance online tickets:

Adult: £9.00 with donation, £8.10 without donation.
Child (5–17 years): £5.00 with donation, £4.50 without donation.
Concession: £8.00 with donation, £7.20 without donation.
Family (2 adults, up to 3 children): £23.00 with donation, £20.70 without donation.
Family (1 adult, up to 3 children): £14.00 with donation, £12.60 without donation.
Member: Free.

On the day tickets:

Adult: £11.00 with donation, £10.00 without donation.
Child (5–17 years): £6.00 with donation, £5.40 without donation.
Concession: £9.50 with donation, £8.60 without donation.
Family (2 adults, up to 3 children): £28.00 with donation, £25.40 without donation.
Family (1 adult, up to 3 children): £17.00 with donation, £15.40 without donation.
Member: Free.

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

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

St Mawes Castle is closed and reopens March 2026.

Address: Castle Drive, St Mawes, Truro, UK

Post Code: TR2 5DE

Council: Cornwall

County: Cornwall

Road Access: In St Mawes on A3078. Plan your route with what3words (vision.villa.coasting).
Bus Access: The nearest bus stop to St Mawes Castle is St Mawes Car Park. This is the final stop on the route from Truro and involves a 0.6 mile / 0.9 km walk to the castle. Bus 50 operates from Truro Bus Station to St Mawes Car Park. Visit Go Cornwall or Traveline for details. There are regular bus services to Truro from many Cornish towns. Passengers wishing to travel from St Austell to St Mawes will find connections at Probus (Bus 27 transfer to Bus 50) or at Tregony (Bus 51 to Bus 50).
Train Access: The nearest train stations are Penmere and Falmouth Town. From Penmere Station, take a 1-mile walk to the Prince of Wales Pier and catch the passenger ferry to St Mawes Pier. It is then a 1/2 mile walk to the castle. From Falmouth Town, walk through the town centre to the Prince of Wales Pier (0.7 mile) and catch the passenger ferry to St Mawes Pier. The nearest station on the Cornish Mainline is Truro. For train times and tickets, visit the Great Western Railway website.
Bicycle Access: Find your cycling route to St Mawes Castle at sustrans.org.uk, the National Cycle Network.
Ferry Access: One of the best ways to approach the castle is by sea. A passenger ferry links Falmouth Prince of Wales Pier and St Mawes daily throughout the year, or you can travel by car on the King Harry Ferry from nearby Feock. For ferry times and fares visit falriver.co.uk.
Parking: Parking charges apply to non-members. Parking free for members. The upper car park contains 15 spaces and two disabled spaces. When more parking is required, visitors can use the castle's lower car park, which has ample space available. A set of concrete steps and a steep road separate the car parks from the site's entrance. Unfortunately the site is not suitable for coaches, however mini buses are allowed. The nearest off-site car park is located in St Mawes village (charges apply).