Pictures of Castles Cornwall England

Cornwall has more than its fair share of beautiful Castles

Tintagel Castle

Tintagel Castle On the North Cornish cliffs, with spectacular views up and down the Coast. After stopping to have a look at the Castle Remains, constructed in the 13th Century by Richard Earl of Cornwall, cross the wooden bridge to the Island and climb the steps to more ruins. Even more memorable with a winter gale lashing in from far out in the Atlantic Ocean.

Excavation have dated these remains to the 6th century, a time when the Celts were introducing Christianity to Cornwall but likely to have been a stronghold of Cornish Kings. The 12th century historian, Geoffrey of Monmouth in his Historia Regum Britanniae ( History of the Kings of Britain ) cites this as the place where King Arthur was conceived. N.B. It is a half mile walk from Tintagel Village so, unlike the author, check that the Castle is open before setting out. Great North Cornwall walks are to be had along the Coast north towards Boscastle

Castle Dore

Castle Dore Castle Dore, a prehistoric earthwork, between the 1st centuries BC and the 5th Century AD, 225 feet in diameter, a few miles out of Fowey, towards St Austell, off the beaten track, and best located using a good largescale map. Though best seen from the air, The double concentric ring of the defensive ridges, some still over 8 feet in height, are clearly visible. Archaeological excavations revealed the remains of a village dating from the 3rd to 1st Centuries BC. and the Hall built by King Mark of Cornwall, Believed to be, according to Arthurian Legend the site of the Castle of the Cornish King Mark. and thus associated also with the Legend of Tristram and Iseult. Also site of a battle in the Civil War.

Cornwall Holiday Guides

Carn Brea

Carn Brea Carn Brea great offers views on a clear day as far as the North Coast. How many mine engine houses can you count? The Coast to Coast Cycle route passes within a mile of the summit. The castle is in private hands. At the south end of the Summit is the Basset Monument to Francis, Lord de Dunstanville. The earliest settlement dates from Neolithic times 3000 years or more BC. The ramparts of an Iron Age Hillfort encircle most of the Carn's summit. .

Pendennis Castle, Falmouth

In Tudor times Henry VIII fearing invasion ordered two Castles to be built to guard the Entrance to the natural harbour of Carrick Roads, forming part of his South Coast defences. On the West side Pendennis overlooking the town of Falmouth and St Mawes Castle on the East Side, on what is now known as the Roseland Peninsula. During the First World War a Garrison was stationed at Pendennis, During WWII it housed a secret underground base.

Both Castles are well preserved and are worth a visit. To reach Pendennis Castle follow Castle Drive around Pendennis Point from Falmouth Town Centre. The Drive offers great views down into Falmouth, and across Carrick Roads to St Anthony Light and the Roseland Peninsula. Little Dennis Blockhouse, nestling under the Castle. You are likely to see vessels ranging from Cross Channels Ferries undergoing repair, to container ships,

St. Mawes Castle

St. Mawes Castle Across Carrick Roads from Pendennis, offering great views across to Falmouth and along the coastline to St Mawes and the tree lined creeks of the The Roseland Peninsula .

Launceston Castle

Launceston Castle Launceston Castle A delightful unspoilt former market town in the far east of the County, dominated by its Norman Castle, atop a grassy motte and with a bailey to the south. Often ignored by tourists as they dash westwards along the A30, but well worth stopping for a break and exploring. A castle was first mentioned in the Doomsday Book, but the stone remains visible today were largely constructed by Richard Earl of Cornwall in the 13th century, replacing an earlier wooden fortification. And yes the Tower does lean. Launceston was the only walled town in Cornwall, much of the town wall remains to this day as does the imposing South Gate.

Until the 19th century Launceston was the County town of Cornwall, with an Assize Court and Prison. The prison, Doomsdale, now a roofless ruin on the North side of the Castle Green was a terrible place. The Assize Courts in 1655 sentenced the Quakers George Fox to 9 weeks imprisonment for attending Prayer Meetings. Conditions within Doomsdale were best described as barbaric, as witness contemporary accounts of poor George. In 1836 the summer Assize Courts moved to Bodmin and Launceston lost its county town status On a clear day views as far as east as Dartmoor.

Add these castle-an-dinas Caerhays Castle

St Michaels Mount Cornwall

St Michael's Mount Cornwall , former Benedictine Priory and Castle.
The jewel in Cornwall's crown. Home of the St Aubyn family for 300 years. Separated from the town of Marazion and the mainland by a 500-yard long granite causeway, only reachable by boat when the tide is in. One of the most visited National Trust properties in Britain, and open to visitors Mon- Fri during the season. A few miles away is bustling Penzance with the fishing village of Mousehole also nearby

From Launceston's Norman Castle watching over the Medieval town for many miles. To St Micheals Mount medieval castles, to the King Henry VII Fortress of Pendennis Castle, overlooking Falmouth, to mock Victorian piles like Caerhays Castle near Mevagissey .Pictures of castles