Pendennis Castle is an artillery fort constructed by Henry VIII near Falmouth, Cornwall, England between 1540 and 1542. It formed part of the King's Device programme to protect against invasion from France and the Holy Roman Empire, and defended the Carrick Roads waterway at the mouth of the River Fal. The original, circular keep and gun platform was expanded at the end of the century to cope with the increasing Spanish threat, with a ring of extensive stone ramparts and bastions built around the older castle. Pendennis saw service during the English Civil War, when it was held by the Royalists, and was only taken by Parliament after a long siege in 1646. It survived the interregnum and Charles II renovated the fortress after his restoration to the throne in 1660.
Ongoing concerns about a possible French invasion resulted in Pendennis's defences being modernised and upgraded in the 1730s and again during the 1790s; during the Napoleonic Wars, the castle held up to 48 guns.
Mar 25 - Sep 30: daily: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Oct 1: daily: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Nov 1 - Feb 12: Sat - Sun: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Feb 13 - Feb 24: daily: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Feb 25 - Mar 24: Sat - Sun: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Last admission one hour before closing time.
The Castle Keep may close for 1 hour if an event is booked. Free guided tours of the Half Moon Battery and Castle Tour - check availability on arrival.
Closed on Dec 24, 25, 26, 28 & 31, and Jan 1
Adults: £7.90
Concessions (students with ID, seniors over 60): £7
Children (5-15): £4.70
Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pendennis_Castle
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pendenniscastle
English Heritage website http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/pendennis-castle/
Email Pendennis.Castle@english-heritage.org.uk
Phone +44 1326 316 594
Address Castle Close, Falmouth TR11 4LP, UK
Coordinates 50°8'45.849" N -5°2'47.85" E
