As we all know the Castle at St Mawes was built by Henry VIII ( well not by his own hand but at his order ) as part of the defence of England's Southern Coast against invasion from across the English Channel. There were many Castles built between here in Cornwall right round to the ports of Kent and they were built to a design of consentric bastions which made for a strong fortification of the times- from the air they also have the look of a Tudor Rose !! St Mawes Castle guards the entrance to Carrick Roads, the third largest natural harbour in the world here at Falmouth. On the other side of the entrance to this natural harbour another of Henry's castles stands at Pendennis Point defending the Falmouth side. But I hear you ask , why build two castles so close ? Simple answer is that cannon of the day only had a range that could not reach the other side - hence the need for two castles.

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