St Mawes Castle

About St Mawes Castle

St Mawes Castle guards the Fal River, a 1540s fortress built for Henry VIII’s cannons. Meant to scare pirates, it became a smugglers’ friend by the 1700s—Roseland’s coves hid brandy, silk, and tea, slipped past with a fisher’s wink. Locals at The Victory Inn still chuckle over tales of outsmarting excise men, their cunning woven into St Mawes’ quiet rebellion.

Today, the castle’s cloverleaf walls stand proud, whispering of sly nights. Walk St Mawes’ quay, where boats bob and gulls cry, or sip in Portscatho, feeling Roseland’s pulse. Trails lead to St Just’s shores or Veryan’s roundhouses, tying past to present. Got a smuggler’s yarn? Share it on our contact page—your story joins the peninsula’s weave.

Weather shapes visits—check our forecast below, as rain slicks stone steps. Parking’s tight, so arrive early. St Mawes Castle isn’t just stone; it’s Cornwall’s crafty heart, teaching us to bend, not break.