Castles in Cornwall: Legends, Ruins and Sea Views

August 23, 2025

Cornwall isn’t just beaches, pasties, and seaside strolls (though those are all very important, obviously). It’s also absolutely packed with castles – some crumbling and romantic, some solid and intimidating, and at least one that looks like it belongs in a fantasy film.

If you love a bit of history with your holiday, or you just fancy climbing a tower and pretending to be a knight for five minutes (no judgement), here are some Cornish castles worth popping on your list.

Tintagel Castle – King Arthur’s Hangout (Maybe)

Let’s start with the big one. Tintagel is the castle in Cornwall if you’re into legends. Perched dramatically on a cliff edge, this is where people say King Arthur was born. Is it true? Who knows. Does it matter? Not really, because the views are ridiculously good, the ruins are super atmospheric, and the bridge across to the island is one of those “wow” moments. And standing right at the end is the amazing 8ft bronze statue "Gallos". It is commonly called the King Arthur Statue, but it doesn't represent a single person, more the general history of the site. Gallos means power in Cornish.

Bring a camera, and maybe a windproof jacket as the weather up there can get blustery!

Our tips:

get there early as it can get crowded during the holidays.
early mornings make for some AMAZINGLY dramatic photos.
Tintagel is a lovely little village (or is it a town - it is small) with lots of bakeries and quirky shops.
the walk up and down to the castle ruins is fairly steep but there is a little mini bus which you can take.
do be aware that the castle is pretty much just ruins!
we parked in the main car park in town which was a council pay and display one.
Tintagel is owned by English Heritage, so you can get in for "free" with either English or Cornish Heritage membership.

LOCATION MAP: Castle Rd, Tintagel PL34 0HE

Click here to visit the Tintagel Castle website >>

St Michael’s Mount – The Fairytale One

Picture a castle rising out of the sea, connected to the mainland by a cobbled causeway that disappears under the tide. Yep, that’s St Michael’s Mount. You can walk across when the sea’s out (like magic), or hop on a boat when it’s in. Inside the castle you’ll find history galore. Plus the fact that people actually still live there, both in the castle and in the village on the island. Imagine popping out for milk when your house is on a tidal island!

Our tips:

St Michael's Mount is owned by the National Trust.
the main car park on the main land ISN'T owned by the National Trust - so you have to pay for parking.
check the tide times before you go. Walking across the causeway feels like a little adventure in itself.
The gardens are gorgeous (and subtropical, thanks to Cornwall’s climate) so don’t skip them if they’re open.
the mainland village, Marazion is a lovely one to wander around. There is a brilliant play park on the green, an excellent pub or two and lots of pasty shops. There is also a decent fish and chip shop which we have eaten on the beach. The seagulls on Marazion beach aren't half as bad as St Ives!

LOCATION MAP: Marazion TR17 0EP

Click here to visit the St Michael's Mount website >>

Restormel Castle – The Round Surprise

Hidden away in the Fowey Valley, Restormel is basically a giant stone doughnut. It’s a perfectly round medieval castle, which is pretty rare, and you can climb all around the top for lush views of the countryside. It’s ruined now, but in the best “bring a picnic, sit in the grass, and pretend you’re a medieval lord” kind of way.

Our tips:

we found this one quite a drive to get to - not a straightforward place to find. Don't put in the garden centre postcode in your satnav like I did!
there is a little shop which serves teas and coffees, but it is small.
take a picnic. There are picnic tables by the castle with fab views.
although it is a ruin, it still had a very castle-y atmosphere and the high wall walk was really good.
Restormel Castle is another one owned by English Heritage, so you can get in for "free" with your Cornwall Heritage membership.
The car park is large and free.

LOCATION MAP: Restormel Rd, Lostwithiel PL22 0HN

Click here to vist the Restormel Castle website >>

Pendennis & St Mawes – Tudor Sibling Rivalry

Henry VIII wasn’t just busy with his wives, he was also big on coastal castles. He built two facing each other across the Fal Estuary: Pendennis near Falmouth, and St Mawes on the other side. Basically, if an enemy ship dared sneak in, these two would’ve had it surrounded. Today, they’re brilliant to explore. Pendennis feels imposing and a bit “don’t mess with me,” while St Mawes is more like a pretty stone flower. Both worth a wander.

Our tips:

Pendennis Castle is a superb castle with rooms to wander, spiral staircases to climb and high towers to clinb at the top.
The grounds of Pendennis are vast, with lots of canons and world war 2 bunkers to look at. When we visited there were ex soliders giving talks.
During the school holidays there are lots of events and activities to join in with. We did a brilliant Taskmaster challenge and mini/crazy golf.
There is a cafe, ice cream van and gift shop.
Lots of free parking.
Pendennis Castle and St Mawes castle are both owned by English Heritage, so you can get in for "free" with your Cornwall Heritage membership.
We are yet to visit St Mawes, but I understand it is impressive but more lowkey.

LOCATION MAP: Pendennis Castle, Castle Dr, Falmouth TR11 4LP

LOCATION MAP: St Mawes Castle, Castle Dr, St Mawes, Truro TR2 5DE

Click here to visit the Pendennis Castle website >>

Click here to visit the St Mawes Castle website >>

Launceston Castle – Old-School Norman

Launceston Castle is proper “classic” castle territory. It’s got a big round keep on top of a mound (a motte-and-bailey for the history buffs) and views that stretch for miles. Back in the day it was the centre of Norman Cornwall, which sounds very grand. Now it’s a great spot to climb up, look around, and then reward yourself with cake in the town below.

LOCATION MAP: Castle Dyke, Launceston PL15 7DR

Click here to visit the Launceston Castle website >>

Why You’ll Love Them

Cornwall’s castles aren’t just about battlements and arrow slits, they’re about atmosphere. They sit on cliffs where the sea crashes below, or hide away in green valleys where you half expect Robin Hood to pop out (wrong county, but you get the idea). Each one has its own vibe, and honestly, they make the perfect excuse to mix history with a walk, a picnic, or a pub stop.

So yes, go for the beaches, the scones (jam first, always), and the surf—but leave room in your itinerary for a castle or two. You’ll come away with windswept hair, great photos, and maybe even a new favourite legend.

Cornwall Heritage Membership

This year we bought the Cornwall Heritage family membership. It cost us £36 a year for a family of 2 adults and up to 12 children (age 17 and under).

What is the Cornwall Heritage Trust?

Cornwall Heritage Trust is a charity dedicated to protecting and promoting Cornwall’s unique history and culture. They look after historic sites, fund education projects, and make sure future generations get the chance to learn about the county’s past.

Basically, they’re the reason so many of Cornwall’s most atmospheric places are still standing, accessible, and celebrated.

What Do You Get with Membership?

Joining the Cornwall Heritage Trust isn’t just about supporting a good cause (though that’s a big part of it), there are some brilliant perks too:

✨ Free entry to castles and heritage sites, including Tintagel Castle, Restormel Castle, St Mawes Castle, and Pendennis Castle. If you’re planning to visit just a couple of these in a year, your membership pretty much pays for itself.

✨ Access to CHT-managed sites which includes ancient holy wells to historic hill forts.

✨ News and updates. Members receive newsletters keeping you in the loop with local history, projects, and upcoming events.

✨ Helping Cornwall’s history thrive. Your fees go straight into conservation work, education grants, and heritage protection. You’re not just visiting history, you’re helping keep it alive.