St Mawes Castle and its sister on the opposite side of the Fal estuary, Pendennis, were built by Henry the Eighth to guard against foreign invasion during a time of European political instability. Between them they have witnessed nearly half a century of English history. While Pendennis reflects many of the social and military changes that came about during this period, St Mawes is much the same as it was in Tudor times.

Our virtual tour shows the outside of the castle, the forward gun room with its impressive cannon, the upper gun room, from which the castle was defended against infantry attack and the roof parapets, which provide a spectacular view across the river to Pendennis on the opposite side.