St Mawes Castle, Tudor coastal fortification in St Just in Roseland, United Kingdom.
Description
St Mawes Castle is a Tudor coastal fortification built on the Cornish shore with a central round tower surrounded by three semicircular bastions arranged in a cloverleaf shape. This design allowed defenders to fire at approaching vessels from multiple angles and control access to the estuary below.
History
The castle was built starting in 1539 under King Henry VIII as part of coastal defense against French and Spanish threats. It was one of many forts constructed along the English coast during this period of rising naval tensions.
Culture
The castle preserves Tudor military engineering techniques through its architectural elements, including thick stone walls designed for mounting heavy artillery.
Practical
The site is open to visitors and offers good views across the water and toward the opposite shore. Walking paths connect the different sections, giving access to various vantage points around the structure and across the estuary.
Did you know?
The fort originally had gun positions mounted on its bastions and housed a small garrison to staff them. Walking around today, you can still spot the slots and openings where cannons once pointed out across the water.
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (St Just in Roseland).
Cornwall lies at the southwestern tip of England. It is a peninsula surrounded by the sea, shaping its history and identity. You can see this region through its castles on cliffs like Tintagel or St Michael's Mount, its fishing villages on small bays such as Mousehole, and its busy ports like...
Pendennis Castle
1.9 km
St Anthony's Lighthouse
1.7 km
National Maritime Museum Cornwall
2.7 km
Arwenack
2.9 km
St Mawes' Church, St Mawes
556 m
The Killigrew Monument
2.9 km
Church of Saint Anthony
1.6 km
The Victory Inn
734 m
Towan Beach
2.9 km
Falmouth Hotel Mariners
2.5 km
Place House
1.6 km
Arwenack House Arwenack Manor
2.9 km
Little Dennis Blockhouse, Pendennis Castle
1.8 km
Great Molunan Beach
1.2 km
Bay Cottage, Seacliffe Warren And West Warren
453 m
Kiln Quay House
2.7 km
3, 3A, 4 and 5, Bar Terrace
2.6 km
Porthbeor Beach
2.3 km
Holy well of St Mawes, 80m east of St Mawes Methodist Church
713 m
Waterside Midships And South Cottage
558 m
Former Royal Army Service Corps Store And Attached Courtyard Wall, Pendennis Castle
2 km
The Barrack Block, Pendennis Castle
1.9 km
1 and 2, Bar Terrace
2.6 km
The Storehouse, Pendennis Castle
2 km
Wall South East Of Arwenack Manor
2.9 km
Froe tide mill
2.7 km
Warehouse Occupied By Bridon Ropes Limited (The Grain Store)
2 km
Kiln Quay
2.7 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes