Castles in Cornwall
A mighty Norman fortress looming over Launceston atop a natural mound. The castle was originally called Dunheved, and was built to control the crossing of the River Tamar in and out of Cornwall. In the 13th century Richard, Earl of Cornwall rebuilt the castle in stone, and fortified the central tower. The castle was used for many years as an assizes and gaol.
Launceston, Cornwall, England, PL15 7DR
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Pendennis was part of a chain of castles built by Henry VIII along the south coast. Elizabeth I extended Henry's castle, and during the Civil War the royalist defenders held out for 5 months against a Parliametary siege. There are exhibits on Tudor battles and frequent medieval re-enactments.
Falmouth, Cornwall, England, TR11 4LP
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A massive circular shell keep atop an earlier Norman earthwork, one of the most complete remaining examples of a medieval keep in the West Country. Inner suite of chambers within the curtain wall built by Edmund, Earl of Cornwall, in the 13th century.
nr Restormel Road, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, England, PL22 0EE
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Heritage Highlight: Unusual circular shell keep within an earlier Norman earthwork
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St Catherine's Castle is not a castle in the medieval sense, but a small, two-storey artillery fort built by Henry VIII around 1530 as one of a pair of forts designed to defend Fowey harbour.
Fowey, Cornwall, England, PL23 1JH
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One of the finest of Henry VIII's coastal defences, built around 1540 to defend Carrick Roads and the Fal estuary from attack by Spain and France. St Mawes Castle was built to a clover leaf design, with a large tower overlooking three circular bastions.
Castle Drive, St Mawes, Cornwall, England, TR2 5DE
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Heritage Highlight: Unaltered Tudor military design
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The view of St Michael's Mount, rising above Mounts Bay like a fairy-tale fortress, must be one of the most magnificent sights in England. A monastery was established on this rocky island in the 8th century, replaced by a 12th century Benedictine priory, around the same time as a castle fortification. St Michael's Mount is joined to the mainland by a tidal causeway.
Marazion, Penzance, Cornwall, England, TR17 0HS
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Was this romantic ruined castle the real Camelot? Or perhaps the birthplace of King Arthur? Myths of King Arthur cling to the dramatic fortress of Tintagel, clinging to a rocky Cornish coastline near Boscastle. The castle we today is 13th century, but there are signs that the site was used in the Roman and Saxon eras. Tintagel was probably built by Richard, Earl of Cornwall, the brother of King Henry III. A causeway originally linked the castle to the mainland, but now access is by way of steep stairs set against the hillside.
Castle Road, Tintagel, Cornwall, England, PL34 0HE
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Heritage Highlight: Is this the original Camelot?
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