Scheduled MonumentsEnglandSt Mawes Castle

St Mawes Castle

England
List entry 1013807
Nation
England
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Historic England (NHLE)

Overview

History & significance

St Mawes Castle is a coastal fortress built in the 1540s under the direction of Henry VIII as part of an integrated defence system protecting the Carrick Roads and Falmouth Harbour. The castle comprises a central circular tower surrounded by lower bastioned gun platforms, representing contemporary military architecture designed to mount artillery against naval attack. Built from local stone, the structure exemplifies early Tudor military engineering adapted to exploit the tactical advantages of its prominent headland position. The fortress remained in military use throughout subsequent centuries and is now maintained as a scheduled monument, preserving an important example of sixteenth-century coastal defence strategy.

St Mawes Castle is a scheduled monument protected by Historic England under reference 1013807. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is St Mawes Castle?

St Mawes Castle is a coastal fortress built in the 1540s under the direction of Henry VIII as part of an integrated defence system protecting the Carrick Roads and Falmouth Harbour. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic England (NHLE) under reference 1013807.

Who is responsible for protecting St Mawes Castle?

St Mawes Castle is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Historic England (NHLE) — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in England. The official designation reference is 1013807.

What other scheduled monuments are near St Mawes Castle?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Early 20th century gun battery 150m north of St Mawes Castle (0.2 km), Holy well of St Mawes, 80m east of St Mawes Methodist Church (0.7 km), Pendennis peninsula fortifications (2.1 km).

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