Pendennis Castle had the honour of being the last but one of the Kings castles to hold out against Cromwell

Pendennis Castle, which lies on the western bank of the River Fal, was constructed along with her sister castle St. Mawes between 1540 and 1545 in response to the impending threat of war from both France and Spain after Henry VIII had divorced his catholic wife Catherine of Aragon. St. Mawes castle on the eastern bank of the river was built using quality stone and decorations, whilst Pendennis was just a simple round tower with a gate, surrounded by a curtain wall.

Pendennis was further fortified during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Elizabeth ordered the building of a new wall that completely encircled the castle along with new bastions. When the Spanish attacked Mounts Bay and Penzance in 1595, the garrisons at both St. Mawes and Pendennis were hastily improved and reinforced in anticipation of the forth coming invasion. The Spanish never came and the only hostilities seen were those on the castle during the English Civil War.

In 1646, Parliamentarian forces lay siege to Pendennis castle which was under the command of Sir John Arundel who was 80 years old at the time. The much anticipated attack came by sea and from the land. Cromwell’s forces quickly established themselves and cut off all lines of communication with the castle as well as it supply chains. Sir John, with the assistance of Sir Henry Killigrew, held out against Cromwell’s forces for six months. They were reduced to surviving on horse and dog meat before eventually surrendering to the Parliamentarian forces.

Pendennis had the honour of being the last but one of the Kings castles to hold out against Cromwell. Pendennis also gave aide to Queen Henrietta Maria and Charles II (the then Prince of Wales) before escaping to France.

The castle continued to be modified over the following centuries with additional buildings, storehouses and barracks being constructed in various forms and guises. Her weaponry was upgraded as technology progressed and the final chapter in her fortification came with the outbreak of World War II.

Today, the only invasion Pendennis is subject to, is the hordes of tourists who come each year to visit her Discovery Centre, which allows visitors to explore the fascinating history of the castle.

Tourist Information

Apr -30 Jun 10am-5pm* Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, & Sun.

1 Jul-31 Aug 10am-6pm* Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, & Sun.

1-30 Sep 10am-5pm* Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, & Sun.

1 Apr - 30 Sept Saturdays closes at 4pm

1 Oct - 31 Mar 10am-4pm Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, & Sun. 24-26 Dec and 1 Jan Closed

*Closes at 4pm on Saturdays

Admission Prices:

Adult:£4.80  Children:£2.40  Concession:£3.60  Family ticket £12.00