Nearest History & Heritage Cornwall

Launceston a medieval walled city was Cornwall’s capital for centuries. Launceston Castle dominates the surrounding landscape with its unusual keep consisting of a 13th-century round tower built by Richard, Earl of Cornwall. The castle has views of both Dartmoor and Bodmin.

The old Market House is an imposing building in the main shopping street of Penzance which is now a bank. The statue outside is of Humphry Davy, the inventor of the Davy Lamp.

Pendennis Castle was built by King Henry VIII to defend against possible attack by Spain and France and was in use right up to the Second World War.  It guarded the important anchorage of Carrick Roads, sharing the task with St Mawes castle on the other side of the Fal estuary. The castle has an interactive exhibition or spend time exploring the cells of the WWI guard house, and relive the drama of an enemy attack on the WWII observation post. The castle has some great views looking out over Castle Beach and on towards Gylly Beach.

Caerhays Castle was designed by John Nash at the start of the 19th century, there are the Gardens and parkland with the magnificent camellias and rhododendrons for which the estate is world famous and the National Magnolia Collection which has a home here.

St Michael’s Mount, a rocky island crowned with medieval church and castle. One of England’s most famous and dramatic coastal attractions. The oldest surviving buildings date from the 12th century, when a Benedictine priory was founded here. Accessible on foot at low tide across a causeway, at other times it is reached by a short boat trip. The island is managed by the National Trust and includes cafe/restaurant and shop. The gardens have limited opening times as they can’t cope with the large amount of summer visitors, see the National Trust website for more information.

Now in ruins Tintagel Castle is Cornwall’s most iconic site where the legend of King Arthur was born. A strong hold of the Earls of Cornwall, the castle was built in the 13th Century. Located on one of the most dramatic and windswept locations in Cornwall. You have a small exhibition and shop along with a cafe. You need to be energetic to visit the castle as you have to negotiate a hill down from the village and then up many steps, once at the top there is lots to explore. The path down from the village has a landrover service for a small charge.

Saint Mawes Castle is among the best-preserved of Henry VIII’s coastal artillery fortresses. The castle was one of the chain of forts built between 1539 and 1545 to counter an invasion threat from Catholic France and Spain, it guarded the important anchorage of Carrick Roads, sharing the task with Pendennis Castle on the other side of the Fal estuary.

King Charles’s Castle is a ruined artillery fort on Tresco built between 1548 and 1551 to protect the Isles of Scilly from French attack. A semi-hexagonal structure to provide a wide field of fire and two-storey to give at least two tiers of guns. The domestic quarters for the garrison were at the rear.

Levant Mine and Beam Engine is part of Cornwall and West Devon Mining World Heritage Site. Includes the only Cornish beam engine anywhere in the world that is still in steam at a tin and copper mine.

Part of the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site, impressive Cornish beam engines and industrial heritage discovery centre. This is a dramatic reminder of Cornwall’s mining heritage.

Restormel Castle, 13th-century circular shell-keep stands on an earlier Norman mound surrounded by a deep dry ditch. The castle has fantastic views and is a favourite picnic spot.