St Mawes Castle
St Mawes Castle was one of a chain of forts built between 1539 and 1545 to counter an invasion from France and Spain and, together with Pendennis Castle, it defended the Carrick Roads.
The castle is built in a clover leaf design with a four-storey central tower and was once armed with 19 artillery pieces. St Mawes continued to be used as a fort through the 18th and 19th centuries before becoming a tourist attraction and then being brought back into service for the second world war. During the war, naval artillery and an anti-aircraft gun were installed here.
Today, St Mawes is a tourist attraction once more, looked after by English Heritage. Visitors can take in stunning sea views, view the oubliette where prisoners were kept captive and read Latin inscriptions of praise for King Henry and his son Edward VI.
A wealth of history awaits at St Mawes Castle…