Pictures of St Mawes

in the county of Cornwall

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About St Mawes

St. Mawes is the stuff picture postcards are made of, the sunlight reflecting on the frothy ocean waves, the warm sea breezes, dreamy thatched cottages overlooking the bay, all combine to make this picturesque place a haven far removed from today's hectic world.

The resort is built at the end of a peninsula, it is steeply sloping, flanked by both the Carrick Roads and the Percuil River with views over the River Fal towards Falmouth. It is often thought of as the capital of the Roseland Peninsula, of which it is a part. The mild climate of the region which encourages early growth of picturesque tropical plants, has also done much to entice not only visitors to the area, but the development of smart houses in St. Mawes has caused an influx of retiree's to settle here.

St.Mawes is an old fishing port, steeply rising streets crammed with attractive flower decked cottages, shops and pubs, lead from the harbour-side. In the town you will find galleries, souvenir shops, a church, friendly bed and breakfast houses, luxury hotels and away from the town you can seek out pretty caravan parks.

The bay is popular for sailing, there is a local sailing club, and two good beaches either side of the harbour are ideal for relaxing, doing a spot of sun-bathing and swimming. For anyone with plenty of energy there is a recreation ground with tennis courts, but not much beats a stroll around the town to enjoy its sights, or a coastal walk to watch the tumbling waves and listen to the eyrie cry of seabirds.

St.Mawes Castle occupies a dominate hillside position, this was built between 1540 and 1543 to guard the approach to the Carrick Roads. Today, the castle is cared for by English Heritage, it is open all the year round and with its three bastions forming a clover-leaf around a central tower, the castle is a fine example of Tudor military architecture. Interestingly, the castle fell to Cromwell's troops in 1646, it had been thought to be impregnable, but the fact that its guns faced seaward allowed the attack by Cromwell to be successful!

Visiting St.Mawes is a huge delight, there are so many pretty villages and interesting places to be explored. The Carrick Roads is a legacy of melting in the Ice-Age, this caused the sea level to rise exposing what is the world's third largest natural harbour. Villages to see include, St.Just-in-Roseland, Porthscatho, Portloe, and Veryan.

Ferries take you to Falmouth, or to St. Anthony Head where a lighthouse is poised almost 70 feet above the sea, this was built in 1834 to replace the old coal beacon which formerly protected shipping from the infamous Manacle Rocks. The lighthouse is automated and makes an interesting tour for visitors when it open to the public during the holiday season.

Such is the scenery in these parts that St. Mawes featured in the highly acclaimed "Poldark" television series, and St. Anthony's Lighthouse was the set for the series Fraggie Rock.

Planning a visit? Please see below for other recommended towns, attractions and recommended hotels nearby.

Distances and directions below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near St Mawes

St Mawes Castle	(0.4 miles, 0.7 km)	Pictures
St Anthony Head	(1.1 miles, 1.8 km, direction S)	Pictures
Pendennis Castle	(1.6 miles, 2.6 km, direction SW)	Pictures
National Maritime Museum, Cornwall	(2.1 miles, 3.4 km, direction W)	Pictures
Trelissick Garden	(4.1 miles, 6.6 km, direction N)	Pictures
Trebah Garden	(5.9 miles, 9.5 km, direction SW)	Pictures
Glendurgan Garden	(5.9 miles, 9.5 km, direction SW)	Pictures
Truro Cathedral	(7.2 miles, 11.5 km, direction N)	Pictures
Frenchmans Creek	(7.7 miles, 12.3 km, direction SW)	Pictures
Caerhays Castle & Gardens	(9.2 miles, 14.8 km, direction NE)	Pictures
The National Seal Sanctuary	(9.5 miles, 15.3 km, direction SW)	Pictures
Trewithen Gardens	(10.0 miles, 16.1 km, direction NE)	Pictures
Poldark Mines	(10.4 miles, 16.7 km, direction W)	Pictures
Gwenapp Pit	(10.7 miles, 17.3 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Carn Brae Castle	(11.2 miles, 18.1 km, direction NW)	Pictures

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Recommended towns near St Mawes

St Anthony, in the county of Cornwall (0.8 miles, 1.3 km)
Pleasant coastal hamlet with a "picture postcard" look. It is situated in south-facing position at the edge of Gillan Creek and is backed by lovely wooded countryside.
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St Just in Roseland, in the county of Cornwall (1.6 miles, 2.5 km, direction N)
This is a little place that is every bit as enchanting as its name.
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Mylor, in the county of Cornwall (2.1 miles, 3.4 km, direction NW)
This pretty resort is beautifully situated close to a creek that was once a Royal dockyard, these days it is busy as a yacht anchorage, it is at its most attractive as the waters of high tide gently laps the quay.
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Falmouth, in the county of Cornwall (2.2 miles, 3.6 km, direction W)
Think of Falmouth and you immediately think of the sparkling sea in a bay alive with busy colourful pleasure and sailing boats...
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Mawnan Smith, in the county of Cornwall (5.0 miles, 8.0 km, direction SW)
The village is about two miles from the Helford estuary, this offers scope for sailing, watching the wildlife of the area, and lovely riverside and country walks.
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Veryan, in the county of Cornwall (5.9 miles, 9.5 km, direction NE)
Popular Cornish resort in the heart of the beautiful Roseland peninsula, Veryan is a place of strong Cornish traditions which offers it's visitors a genuine welcome.
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Portloe, a Picturesque Village in the county of Cornwall (7.0 miles, 11.2 km, direction NE)
"One of the least spoiled and most impressive of Cornish fishing villages" - Sir John Betjeman (famous poet 1906-1984)
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Truro, a Historic Market Town in the county of Cornwall (7.4 miles, 11.9 km, direction N)
Truro, today is Cornwall's unofficial capital and adminstrative centre but in the Middle Ages Truro was one of the towns which controlled Cornwall's flourishing tin mining industry.
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Gweek, in the county of Cornwall (9.7 miles, 15.6 km, direction SW)
Gweek existed as a thriving port for several hundred years, this fact is evidenced by the Old quays.
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Boswinger, in the county of Cornwall (10.1 miles, 16.2 km, direction NE)
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Redruth, in the county of Cornwall (10.7 miles, 17.2 km, direction NW)
Redruth was formerly the capital of the largest and richest metal mining area in Britain.
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Gorran Haven, a Picturesque Village in the county of Cornwall (11.4 miles, 18.3 km, direction NE)
Historically, this beautiful location is said to be the place where Sir Henry Treworth of Bodruggan spurred his horse over the cliffs in 1485.
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Pool, in the county of Cornwall (12.4 miles, 20.0 km, direction NW)
Pool is situated between Cambourne and Redruth in an area that was once the centre of Cornwall's prosperous tin mining industry.
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Mevagissey, a Picturesque Village in the county of Cornwall (12.6 miles, 20.3 km, direction NE)
One of a ribbon of picturesque fishing villages dotting the fabled Cornish coastline. Mevagissey has ancient buildings flanking...
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Camborne, in the county of Cornwall (12.9 miles, 20.8 km, direction W)
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Nearby travel help

Falmouth Docks Station	(1.7 miles, 2.8 km, direction W)
Falmouth Town Station	(2.3 miles, 3.7 km, direction W)
Newquay (Cornwall) Airport	(19.5 miles, 31.4 km, direction N)
Plymouth City Airport	(44.1 miles, 70.9 km, direction NE)
M5 Junction 31	(75.4 miles, 121.4 km, direction NE)
M5 Junction 30	(78.5 miles, 126.4 km, direction NE)
St Mawes to London	(233.4 miles, 375.6 km, direction NE)

Hotels & Accommodation in St Mawes

Hotel Name	Approximate distance from St Mawes center
The Idle Rocks Hotel	(0.2 miles, 0.4 km)
The Falmouth Hotel	(1.8 miles, 2.9 km, direction W)
The Lerryn Hotel	(2.1 miles, 3.5 km, direction W)
The Royal Duchy Hotel	(2.2 miles, 3.5 km, direction W)
Hotel Anacapri	(2.4 miles, 3.9 km, direction W)
Lugo Rock Hotel	(2.5 miles, 3.9 km, direction W)
The Westcott	(2.5 miles, 4.0 km, direction W)
St Michael's Hotel & Spa	(2.5 miles, 4.0 km, direction W)
Best Western Falmouth Beach Resort Hotel & Conference Centre	(2.5 miles, 4.0 km, direction W)
The Green Lawns Hotel	(2.7 miles, 4.4 km, direction W)
All hotels in St Mawes