📍 Photo via Google Maps

Pendennis Castle

📍 Cornwall, England

4.3 ★★★★ 2,670 reviews

About

Pendennis Castle is an artillery fort constructed by Henry VIII near Falmouth, Cornwall, England between 1540 and 1542. It formed part of the King's Device programme to protect against invasion from France and the Holy Roman Empire, and defended the Carrick Roads waterway at the mouth of the River Fal. The original, circular keep and gun platform was expanded at the end of the century to cope with the increasing Spanish threat, with a ring of extensive stone ramparts and bastions built around the older castle. Pendennis saw service during the English Civil War, when it was held by the Royalists, and was only taken by Parliament after a long siege in 1646. It survived the interregnum and Charles II renovated the fortress after his restoration to the throne in 1660.

Getting There

🚗 Drive to Falmouth

On Pendennis Head, Falmouth. From Truro: 20 min via A39. Well signed in Falmouth.

🚂 Falmouth Docks Station

GWR from Truro (25 min, frequent). The castle is 15 min walk uphill from the station.

🅿️ Castle Car Park

English Heritage car park on site. Free for members.

⛴️ St Mawes Ferry

Ferry from St Mawes across the Carrick Roads — visit both Henry VIII castles in a day.

Terrain & Accessibility

♿ Partial Access🏛️ Tudor Keep🌊 Coastal Headland💺 Seating Available

Henry VIII fortress with Elizabethan ramparts on a coastal headland. The outer defences and grounds are accessible. The Tudor keep has stairs. Excellent interactive displays about the castle's five-month Civil War siege. WW1 and WW2 gun batteries also on site. English Heritage property.